Bike Rules

[ivegotabike]

Where can i read rules regarding waht types of bikes can be used in Ironman triathalons? Are there any?

[Hobartlemagne]

Only iron framed bikes are allowed

[Sprocket Man]

Ironman events are governed by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC). I looked on the WTC website but I couldn't find the list of rules regarding bike restrictions. I do know that the rules aren't nearly as restrictive as the rules for bike racing because I've seen Softrides and Cheetahs (Natasha Baddman) which aren't allowed in bike racing. I know for a fact that they don't allow recumbents (unless it's hand-cranked and you're crippled). Are you considering riding an unconventional bike? Post a picture here, I'm curious to see what you have in mind. If you want an official ruling, I'd consult the WTC.

[ivegotabike]

no im just working on a design for some aerobars, and i saw somewhere the words "triathalon legal" in referance to a set of aerobars, i was wondering if that was just stating that you can use aero bars in tris, or if that was stating that those specific bars met certain requirements to be tri legal

[Fivetenfrank]

You should also contact USA Cycling or the United States Cycling Federation (http://www.usacycling.org/). 99.9% of all road races and time trials are sanctioned and governed by USAC/ USCF. You should make sure that those aerobars your designing are USAC/ USCF legal for time trials. There's alot of crossover betwen triathletes (like us) and people who race time trials in USCF races.

I would also bet that if the bars are USCF legal, then they would be legal in USAT/ WTC races as well.

I have only been in one time trial where the USCF referee DQ'd a rider because his time trial bike wasnt USCF legal.

[dogpound]

USAT governs most races in the states, you can get their rules here
http://www.usatriathlon.org/Events/Rules.aspx
I'm also an official so if you have any questions, I can try and answer them