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any other triathletes in here?

kicking it up to an Olympic this year. Hopefully a 70.3 soon to follow. Are aerobars worth it on a road bike? Or just power through or commit to a tri bike?
Do one little one every year or so. Did the HyVee one a couple times in my younger days.

Unless you are hard core (or rich) I would just use a road bike. Tri bike is only good for tri’s and training for tri’s.

If you do get a tri bike I would pay for a fitting. They look uncomfortable as hell but I have read if it fits your body they are comfortable. Or go the used market, lots of people dump them after their racing days are over because they only have one use.

Aero bars are tricky. Odds of a crash go way up.
 
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I did several half IMs (70.3) and 2 full ironmans(140.6) with a carbon trek road bike with aero bars. It was good enough for training and then the races I did as I was not interested in getting to Kona or taking it to the next level.

Triathlon gear is so expensive and investing in multiple bikes for training and then racing is crazy. It's a really great lifestyle and I felt great while training and racing but unless you want to up your game and get to Kona a solid road bike you can use after triathlon season is over with aerobars is a solid addition. You can also rent zipp wheels for race day and those also help make a difference in your bike time and leaves a bit more in the tank for the run afterward.

Good luck in your pursuit and enjoy. The jump from Olympic distance to half is large and will kick your ass if you don't train. But once you conquer the half you'll want the whole IM which is probably the greatest feeling you'll ever get from finishing a race.
 
I had a tri bike with aeros that was just slightly too large for me. Second hand. I am used to the aeros. I am not too uncomfy on the road bike without, just thinking longer distances could help. Maybe it's best to try a 70.3 first before committing. I know a lot make it work. BTW I loathe the bike. Give me the swim over it all.
 
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The bike is such a large part of the race. I recommend getting a good fitting bike and going from there. You should spend a lot of time riding during the training and then the run and The swim. The swim is the easiest/shortest part. The bike is the longest leg and then the run. If you dread the bike you will struggle to finish. Be one with the bike and you'll be fine.
 
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I hate road / racing seats. I have trained on and off for a while (mostly off) but when I get a bug up my butt to start doing miles, I buy a new seat, figuring "this is the one" and so far it has never been the one, I get all tingly in my bits, try to power through and then just quit again. I hate running so try to use the low impact of the bike but the pain always gets the better of me. note, this is all on a rear stand on my "race bike" which has been fitted to me.

GL with the training OP.

Im an "aero on the road bike" guy. My buddy who has finished 8 out of the last 10 Lake Placid IMs finally switched to a Tri bike and says "it's nice but only if you are really serious about it."
 
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Wouldn’t bother with a Tri bike for anything under a half IM. Would also only buy if you were planning on doing several half/full IMs. You will always be more comfortable on a regular road bike (with proper fit), but faster on a TT/Tri given the proper distance/course. If you don’t have a set of deep dish wheels for your current bike, I would start there first.
 
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I have done quite a few and built up to halfs. The training time is the biggest hurdle. I wouldn’t say the race or the distance is hard. It’s just the time dedication and I can’t see how I would ever have time to train for a full. Big regret of mine was not doing a marathon when i was in half IM shape. I’ve never done a marathon and really don’t love running (anymore) and I would have loved to check that box to say I’ve done one. I came away really loving swimming and hope to do that the rest of my life.
 
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