Triathloan bike what the difference?

[phucks1976]

Hi I have a fairly decent roadbike but am planning to enter a few triathlons this year. What are the main differences between road bikes and tri-bikes?

Edited by phucks1976 on Thursday 12th January 08:24

[anonymous-user]

on the whole, tri courses are far flatter than a road race stage with a greater emphasis on the rider remaining in the same (highly aerodynamic) position for a long period of time. thus tri bikes pitch the rider further forwards using shorter top tubes and handlebar extensions to make better use of the cyclists power. the bikes are more aerodynamic comapred to regular road bikes with deep dish wheels. weight isnt so much of an issue (though the top end stuff is very light) as the rolling momentum keeps the speed up.

in general, you can use any road bike in a triathlon and it wont make that much difference at speeds under 25mph. tri bikes in a cross wind can be very uncomfortable and just clip on tri bars and turning your seat post round normally puts you in a more aero position on a regular road bike.

putting triathlon labels on things usually adds 50% to the cost to as all triathletes are dentists or solicitors going through a midlife criss and can afford the best.

compare regular road bike

with tri bike

[Don1]

I spent £250 and got a 2nd hand Quintana Roo Kilo from eBay - great buy for such little outlay.

You don't have to spend a lot to get a niceish machine.

[anonymous-user]

It's easier to run off a tri bike than it is off a road bike.

[dubbs]

pablo said:

... load of relevant stuff about Tri geometry and cost of tri bikes... then something rather offensive about me being a DENTIST!!!!!!!

1. What Pablo said, The Tri bikes will be useful once you get to mid-20's mph averages, I'm on a road bike all be it a Cervelo S3 so it is Aero and they also have a switchable seat post for the cervelos so you can easily move between a tri adn road position

2. Apart from the aerodynamic advantages (for which you should also really be wearing an aero helmet if you're brave enough) you'll also get an advantage in being better positioned for your run as the tri position will get you using different muscles to prevent that dead leg feeling you get otherwise, this can be replicated in a road bike position though

3. People on tri bikes tend to find road rides more awkward as hills aren't easy for them due to both positioning and the heavier bike, they also tend to be frowned upon due to close up riding and the propensity for tri bike riding folks to weave a bit more (at least until they're very used to the positioning and handling) not what you want for bunched up cyclists.

4. Pablo, how VERY dare you!!

[anonymous-user]

it only hurts because its true!....

[graeme4130]

pablo said:

oall triathletes are dentists or solicitors going through a midlife criss and can afford the best.

haha, quality

In summary, a tri bike will give you a much more aerodynamic (aggressive) position on the bike
In a Triathlon you'll not be able to draft another cyclist (with the exception of very few drafting races) , so aerodynamics are key to getting a good bike split
Generally, a TT or Tri bike will position you further forward over the cranks which will engage your quadriceps (Front of thigh muscles) more than your hamstrings which will be more involved on a slacker angled (ie, saddle further back in relation to the cranks) position you'd get on a road bike.
This helps create more power, as you're quads are a strong muscle in relation to many of the others within your legs (with the exception of glutes)
A helpful by-product of this for triathlon or duathlon is that when you run, you'll be driving your run stride with mainly you hamstrings and glutes, which will then be less fatigued from the bike section as your quads would've taken most of the strain

IMHO, many people spend fortunes on TT bikes, when in actual fact, you can achieve something close to a good aero position on a road bike with Aero bars and a forward positioned seat.
If you're not too serious about the sport just yet and not looking to shave seconds rather than minutes, then spending the money on some TT bars and a decent Retul style bike fit is maybe a better starting place than a 4k Tri bike.

[IroningMan]

You can match the riding position - ie the relative placements of the pedals, saddle and bars - provided by a TT bike by using a road frame, forward-facing seatpost and tribars, but the result will put your weight further forward relative to the wheels, which can make for sketchy handling.

TT bikes have shorter chainstays, so in effect move the pedals back a bit as well as moving the saddle forward a bit, which makes for less of your weight over the front wheel.

As to whether an age-group rider will ever get better preformance out of an £8k superbike than they will out of a £1.5k Planet-X, or a £250 Quintana Roo...

[graeme4130]

IroningMan said:

As to whether an age-group rider will ever get better preformance out of an £8k superbike than they will out of a £1.5k Planet-X, or a £250 Quintana Roo...

It's diminishing returns - You'll probably benefit a measurable amount on say a 3k bike with deep section wheels, frame and bars, but after that [when you're creeping around the 8k boutique bike spec], then the difference will be so small it's hardly noticeable on a middle of the pack age grouper. If anything an 8k bike is likely to just be more delicate than your typical Trek Speed Concept or Specialized transition around the 3k mark as everything will be underbuilt

[graeme4130]

Phucks - which triathlons are you doing ?

[phucks1976]

I am doing the Blenheim sprint and the London Triathlon (if I am successful in the ballot) and maybe a few others. I know the bike probably won't make much difference to a beginner but I am an all the gear and no idea sort of guy! (am not a dentist if that is relevant)
If anybody can point me to some good training websites it would be appreciated along with any hints or tips.

(Sorry for the spelling in the title)

[anonymous-user]

first hand experience is better than generic training guides on a website. just get in touch with your local club and speak to the coaches.

there is no substitute to talking to coaches, especially in a multi-discipline event, compared to a magazine which is designed to cover a wide range of body shapes and strengths. that all said, magazines like 220Triathlon will be running training plans at the moment so they might be worth a look.

triathletes are also magpies and like shiny things so there is always a lot of s/h kit going cheap in clubs!!

[Mr Gear]

phucks1976 said:

I am doing the Blenheim sprint and the London Triathlon (if I am successful in the ballot) and maybe a few others. I know the bike probably won't make much difference to a beginner but I am an all the gear and no idea sort of guy! (am not a dentist if that is relevant)
If anybody can point me to some good training websites it would be appreciated along with any hints or tips.

(Sorry for the spelling in the title)

I did the Blenheim sprint a couple of years ago. It was great fun and very well organised, but I didn't see many pure Tri machines on the course, possibly because it is hilly, bumpy (including cattle-grids every couple of KMS!) and quite narrow.

I did it on a £400 road bike and I have made great use of this bike for doing lots of other events since then. I don't think I would have got the same amount of use out of a pure Tri bike. But then again, I wasn't racing anyone except myself!

[dubbs]

phucks1976 said:

I am doing the Blenheim sprint and the London Triathlon (if I am successful in the ballot) and maybe a few others. I know the bike probably won't make much difference to a beginner but I am an all the gear and no idea sort of guy! (am not a dentist if that is relevant)
If anybody can point me to some good training websites it would be appreciated along with any hints or tips.

(Sorry for the spelling in the title)

Tritalk.co.uk

[dubbs]

pablo said:

first hand experience is better than generic training guides on a website. just get in touch with your local club and speak to the coaches.

there is no substitute to talking to coaches, especially in a multi-discipline event, compared to a magazine which is designed to cover a wide range of body shapes and strengths. that all said, magazines like 220Triathlon will be running training plans at the moment so they might be worth a look.

triathletes are also magpies and like shiny things so there is always a lot of s/h kit going cheap in clubs!!

Agree with this, however I'd go a little differently and say you don't even need to worry about a tri club just yet if you don't want to. For now concentrate on:

1. Can you cycle the distance at what you consider to be a good pace for you
2. Can you run the distance at what you consider to the a good pace for you
3. Do you feel comfortable swimming the distance you will race non-stop in a pool

Once you have those three under control and are improving then go see a tri club (joining is normally about £40 for a year)and then....

3. Start doing cycle/run brick sessions where you cycle home, straight off the bike, in to running shoes then go get a couple of kms in the legs - this get them used to switching from one event to the other and getting over that dead leg feeling
4. Look around for a wetsuit as from May the open water venues will look to open for sessions and you absolutely must get practice of OW swimming in as it is VERY different to a pool swim and is what catches most people out.

If 1,2,3 aren't closed off yet then happy to help with some hints on how to get them sorted... I was in the same position a few years back and started it all from scratch too.

[phucks1976]

Pablo, I can do 1 and 2 no problem, 3 shouldn't take me too long to get up to speed. Is there anywhere in North London/Herts where I can try open water swimming when it gets a little warmer?

With "brick" training do I also need to do swim to bike or is that not really an issue?

Thanks for all your help so far.

[T350 Al]

phucks1976 said:

Pablo, I can do 1 and 2 no problem, 3 shouldn't take me too long to get up to speed. Is there anywhere in North London/Herts where I can try open water swimming when it gets a little warmer?

With "brick" training do I also need to do swim to bike or is that not really an issue?

Thanks for all your help so far.

Bricks are usually bike to run based to get you used to running with jelly legs! Quite an experience the first time, but you soon get used to it!

[Matt London]

Wouldn't hurt to join a Tri club. You say North London/Herts, have a look at Tri London. They are a friendly bunch. It would be worth joining for the swim programme alone.
Let me know if you would like some more info.

[anonymous-user]

phucks1976 said:

I am doing the Blenheim sprint and the London Triathlon (if I am successful in the ballot) and maybe a few others. I know the bike probably won't make much difference to a beginner but I am an all the gear and no idea sort of guy! (am not a dentist if that is relevant)
If anybody can point me to some good training websites it would be appreciated along with any hints or tips.

(Sorry for the spelling in the title)

Don't think a tri bike will make you quicker automatically.

A tri bike could actually make it much more difficult for you, depending on the course and your speed.

For a tri bike to be beneficial, you need a flat course with light wind and to be averaging a good pace already. If not, a tri bike will be a hinderance not a benefit.

[Don1]

I would also say it can help the mental side of it. You can train hard, be naturally talented etc, but turning up and racing with nice kit does put an extra zip in your performance.

(I know I'm sad, but it's true! And I'm also well aware of the 'all the gear, no idea' school of thought! )