What makes a Triathlon bike different from a normal road bike?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Matt
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Matt

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I'm looking at doing a Lands end to john O'Groats this year and an Iron man triathlon next year am I better getting a normal road bike or a tri specific bike??
 
You're asking for one bike that will do two entirely different tasks. I'd want to ride a tri bike on the 1000 mile Land's End ride about as much as I'd want to ride a touring bike in an Ironman.

The real answer depends on how important each style of riding is to you. If you're new (and not highly competitive) in triathlons, installing an aerobar on a run-of-the-mill road bike could get you through a tri. If that same bike will accommodate a rack/fenders and the riding position isn't too race-oriented, it might do just fine in the LE ride.

You'll be making a compromise somewhere. Decide which type of riding is most important to you.
 
time trial/ tri bikes are geared specificly toward time trialing. they use steeper angles, shorter wheel base and often have formed tubes to cut wind resistance. if all you are doing is time trialing, go for a bike geared for it. the only problem is they arent as comfortable for training and long rides, but you might as well get used to the bike you are going to be riding during the races.
 
Unless you are planning to compete in triathlons on a regular basis, your best investment would be to get a road bike and put bolt-on aerobars on it.

HTH
 
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