What makes a triathlon bike different from a road bike?

SEAT POSITION One main difference is simply the way the seat is positioned. On a triathlon bike, the seat tube is steeper than a road bike. The angle of the seat tube on a triathlon bike forces the hips to sit forward which gives the rider less tension on their quadriceps and hamstrings.

Can you use a road bike for a triathlon?

A road bike will get you to the finish line of the triathlon just fine. It may not be as fast, but it’s not necessarily slow either. In fact, you can still be pretty competitive on a road bike with some solid training and coaching.

Is triathlon bike faster than road bike?

Triathlon bikes are designed to make riders faster. The seat tube is closer to vertical than a road bike’s. This steeper geometry places the rider’s hips over the crankset which engages their quadriceps more for increased power.” Tri bikes are more aerodynamic and are “faster” than road bikes.

What’s special about triathlon bikes?

Tri bikes are designed to help you become streamlined by positioning your torso level with the ground. Manufacturers give tri bikes a steeper seat angle (angle between seat tube and an imaginary straight line where the top tube meets the seat tube) than a road bike.

How much faster is a tri bike than a road bike?

Speed difference came out to almost exactly one mph in favor of the tri bike. Comparing the speed profiles, I was slower climbing on the tri bike, but several miles per hour faster on any sort of descent.

Why do triathletes use time trial bikes?

By design, triathlon bikes are made to go the distance. Triathletes often ride through hilly terrain, cover distances up to 112 miles during races and must transition to running quickly and efficiently. In contrast, time trial riders get off the bike completely spent. Their bikes are designed for only one thing—speed.

Do triathletes Pee on the bike?

On to the matter at hand – yes, some triathletes do, in fact, pee on their bikes. If it’s not obvious, triathletes pee while riding their bike so they don’t have to stop – saving precious time for competitive races.

Are triathlon bikes good for long distance?

Yes. However, triathlon bikes are not tour bikes. Triathlon bikes can be ridden for long distances, but they are designed for relatively straight and flat ridding. You wouldn’t want a triathlon bike on any multi-day gran-fondos or do any serious mountain climbing or descending with a tri-bike.

What is the best road bike for triathlon?

The best triathlon bikes

1. Canyon Speedmax CF 8.0. A super light speedster coupled with a great groupset.
2. Ribble Ultra Tri Shimano 105. Pro-grade frame in its full carbon glory.
3. Cervelo 105 Disc. Affordable tt bike from an Ironman favourite brand.
4. Felt IA | Advanced, Rim Brake | 105 | 2020.
5. BMC Timemachine 02 Two 2020.

Will a triathlon bike make me faster?

This is because on a triathlon bike, you will be in a more aerodynamic position. Being more aerodynamic allow you to go faster with the same amount of power generated. However, you will only be “aero” when you are riding in the “aero-tuck” with your hands on the tri-bars.

How much should I spend on a triathlon bike?

Still, it is pretty easy to spend $1,500 to $2,000 on a quality starter triathlon bike and end up with a very good ride. Here are a few things to look for in your entry-level tri bike, along with a few recommendations.

How much faster does a TT bike make you?

The BikeRadar website claims the advantage a TT bike gives you is 60-70 watts at 40 km/h, that is, it takes 270-280 watts to ride a road bike at that speed and 220 watts to ride a TT bike. Translated into seconds, a TT bike gives you 9 seconds per kilometre advantage. This is six minutes in a 40 km time trial.

Why are tri bikes so expensive?

However, why triathlon bikes seem more expensive is because there is no viable low-end market for triathlon bikes. The thing is, there is no such thing as a casual triathlete rider. If they are casual, they use a road bike. Road bikes are more versatile and comfortable.

How comfortable is a triathlon bike?

Triathlon (Time-Trial) bikes, if properly fitted and after enough saddle time, can become tolerable. I think of it like this. Going from my TT bike to my Road bike feels like moving from a bar stool to a Lazy Boy recliner. The bar stool is not uncomfortable—per se, but the recliner is more comfortable.

Can triathlon bikes climb hills?

The aerodynamic advantages of a tri bike are negligible when climbing and you may be forced to utilise the quadriceps more, which can hinder your run performance. If you struggle on the hills and don’t have solid descending skills then I’d almost always recommend a road bike.