Duathlon bike?

flix1

Hi all, I'd like to do a duathlon, having never tried one before and being a complete bike novice...I was wondering if you could advise re:the bike. I have a mountain bike that my brother lent me, its a big bike and clunky, would this suffice for a first race, or will I be laughed outta it?
Not a breeze have I got re: duathlons but would love to give it a go!
Thanks y'all

Lumen

flix1 wrote: »

I have a mountain bike that my brother lent me, its a big bike and clunky, would this suffice for a first race, or will I be laughed outta it?

I would guess you'd be laughed at a lot less than the noob who turns up on a full TT rig with an aero helmet and skin suit to his first sprint duathlon.

thebouldwhacker

It really depends on the race you enter, there were many mountain bikes at gael force but other 'serious' races would have different expectations. My rule is if you pay your money you can use what ever you want so no fear... there are better suited bikes out there but if your doing it to do it and dont want to part with your cash until you have more practical experence then the mountain bike should do just fine. But to be sure, pick an event and post up then.

mloc123

I've seen people on dual sus mtbs pass others on tri bikes so I would not worry.
Always a great selection of bikes at any race.

paddyduc

You could splash out on a pair of road tyres which would be a big help.

blorg

Lumen wrote: »

I would guess you'd be laughed at a lot less than the noob who turns up on a full TT rig with an aero helmet and skin suit to his first sprint duathlon.

I thought you weren't going with an aero helmet?

Lumen

blorg wrote: »

I thought you weren't going with an aero helmet?

I changed my mind. Current plan is a Giro Advantage, since it's the only one of the decent ones that comes large enough for my 60cm bonce.

flix1, what duathlons are you planning on doing? The Phoenix Park series (discussed here and on A/R/T) have a newbie race.

Alive Outside wrote: »

Mountain bikes are more than welcome, as are high nellys with baskets, as are the last high end offering from Specialized

LastGasp

Unless things have changed a lot in recent years you'll get all shapes and sizes of bikes and riders doing any of the Duathlons. The road tyres would be good though.

BostonB

In the Duathlons in the Phoenix park theres always a good lot of MTB's mainly at the back of the pack, and a good lot of people just doing it to finish rather than race. I think most people think fair play for just giving it a go. They get a lot of encouragement anyway.

flix1

thanks so much...thats all very encouraging. I'm going to give the one in the phoenix park a bash...me asics and me mountain bike...here we go!!!! Thats so much everyone...Really looking forward to it!

BostonB

I haven't done the Duathlon, but even just commuting on the bike I've notice a certain pattern to the equipment/fashion of people cycling and doing events like the duathlon, at least in the park.

At the back you have people on bad (rusty) MTB's and in heavy tracksuits type gear. Then its people on good MTB's and football/gym gear . Then it moves on to people with road bikes and less football gear. The better road bikes and no football gear, proper running gear etc. Then theres people with v.expensive gear.

Interestingly while the people with the better gear are generally performing better, you do see people in basic enough gear performing very well. Basic road bike, and footie gear kinda stuff.

So basically I don't think it matters what you ride or wear. Run your own race.