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.
Can you use a tri bike for road?
A triathlon bike has a much larger seat tube angle (76 to 78 degrees) than that of a road bike (72 degrees for a typical road bike). The steeper angle of the the tri bike can create a much more “aero” position. … Typically triathlon bikes are not very well received on group rides and same for road races.
Does a tri bike really make a difference?
The most notable difference is the design, or geometry of the frame of each bike. Triathlon bikes have a steeper angle of the seat. … The steeper angle allows the user to travel at a faster rate because you can bend your body down lower which reduces wind resistance.
Is a tri bike more comfortable than a road bike?
In Reply To: Probably road. The tri bike, after awhile will give you a bit of a sore neck because it’s in the same position for quite a bit of time and you have to look up a little bit. I personally prefer riding the tri bike because I get to rest my upper body/arms on the tri pad arm rests.
How much faster is a tri bike than a road bike?
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 do tri bikes look different?
It’s the frame geometry that makes a triathlon bike different to a road bike as the aim is to get your upper body lower and further forwards. … 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.
Why are tri bikes heavier?
A triathlon bike is heavier than a road bike by 2- 4 lbs or 1 to 2 kg. The reason is that the aim is to make a triathlon bike more aerodynamic rather than lightweight as it is in road bikes. The triathlon bikes come with bigger aerofoils and bigger frames than the road bike.
How much faster will a tri bike make me?
In general you will see a 1.5 mph – 2 mph boost in speed between a TT and a road bike… assuming the rider is using regular shorts, jersey and helmet along with no aero wheels. Most of that is due to the differing rider position (i.e. more aero).
How much faster do tri bars make you?
After installing aero bars, riders typically find that they’re going 1 to 2 mph faster at the same level of effort.
Is a triathlon bike hard to ride?
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.
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.
Why do triathletes use TT bikes?
What is a time trial bike or triathlon bike? Time trial bikes are specifically designed for the demands of riding against the clock, usually on flatter terrain where the difference between winning and loosing can often be mere seconds.
Is it worth getting a TT bike?
Triathlon bikes are almost worthless outside of triathlon and time trialing. They’re not as safe, as comfortable, or as easy to handle as a road bike. … In fact, you can still be pretty competitive on a road bike with some solid training and coaching.
Can I use a TT bike as a road bike?
You can’t use it in road or crit races and they’re frowned on in Sportives. Less safe in traffic too cos of the more head down position. Realistically, even at club level it doesn’t make much difference to times, I’ve seen plenty of people on £4000 TT bikes put in slower times than guys on regular road bikes.
How much time do tri bars save?
If you’re talking about clip-on bars on a standard road bike and, as you say, your position using them has been optimised and you’re not shipping excessive power, the usually quoted figure for time saved over a 40km TT is around two minutes.