What kind of bike do I need for a triathlon?

Yes, you will need a bike. No, it does not need to be expensive. We see people do triathlons on their old mountain bikes, hybrids, or other slower bikes — and especially with a couple simple modifications these bikes can do very well. If you can, try to use a road bike, even if you simply borrow one from a friend.

Can I use a triathlon bike on the road?

While both road bikes and tri bikes are both used in a road cycling competition, the specialized triathlon bikes will give you an edge in shorter distances. Road bikes are designed with comfort from the ground up and are ideal for longer distances. They’re also lighter, making them suitably adapted for hill climbing.

Can you do a triathlon on a hybrid bike?

The advantage of a hybrid bike is that you can use it for so many things, so if you only plan on doing one triathlon, then this may be a good option for you (although if your one and only triathlon is longer than an olympic distance, I would consider moving up in the bike World, and try a road bike instead).

Is a triathlon bike the same as a road bike?

One main difference is simply the way the seat is positioned. On a triathlon bike, the seat tube is steeper than a road bike. Road bikes typically have around a 72 degree seat tube angle, where a triathlon bike will have an angle closer to 78+ degrees.

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.

Is it hard to ride a triathlon bike?

Triathlon bikes are squirrelly aerodynamic beasts. They are great for speed, but frame geometry, riding down on aerobars and weight distribution (especially with bento boxes and bar-mounted hydration systems) can make tri bikes especially difficult to handle as compared to road bikes.

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.

Can you use a gravel bike for a triathlon?

The 700c gravel wheelset is the same dimension as to what you usually ride on your tri bike. Triathletes can use gravel riding as a great opportunity to grab some friends and go exploring without worrying about your pace or power- just enjoy the ride!

What is a good average speed on a hybrid bike?

You can expect to ride hybrid bikes at an average commuting speed of 11-17 mph or (18-27 km/h). There are other bike types too which are good commuters, such as cyclocross, gravel bikes just to name two. In terms of average speed they are usually between hybrids and road bikes.

Can I use a road bike for Ironman?

Road bikes are comfortable to ride as long as you get the right fit. They handle better and give a rider more confidence. They also give the rider multiple positions on the handlebars, which is important when riding 112 miles in an Ironman.