Differences between Road Racing, Time Trial, Triathlon bikes?
08-19-04, 08:41 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 52
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Differences between Road Racing, Time Trial, Triathlon bikes?
Before I am getting a new or used bike, there is one thing I am not clear. I see the Time Trial bike frame design is different than road racing bike. Why? Time Trial bike frame is flat instead of a tube design. Time Trial bike have a aero bar with shifter on top. Can I use a Time Trial bike in road racing? I know the UCI ruled that it is not allow Y frame design; such as, the Trek Y frame cannot be use as road racing. However, some Time Trial bikes are triangle frame design.
There is another kind of bikes designed for Triathlon competition and I do not see any different with the Time Trial bikes so far.
Can someone explain the differences between those three? Which frame design should I choose? I want to race in both Time Trial and road racing competition on one bike, of course, little modification on the bike is fine with me.
There is another kind of bikes designed for Triathlon competition and I do not see any different with the Time Trial bikes so far.
Can someone explain the differences between those three? Which frame design should I choose? I want to race in both Time Trial and road racing competition on one bike, of course, little modification on the bike is fine with me.
08-19-04, 08:57 PM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Evanston, IL
Posts: 817
Bikes: Felt F5, Fuji Robaix Pro and a KHS Mountain Bike
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
You can not use a TT bike in road races as you are not allowed to have areo bars on a bike for a road race. I would say go for a road bike and get a pair of clip-ons for TTing.
08-20-04, 12:50 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Mountain Brook. AL
Posts: 4,002
Mentioned: 14 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 303 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 136 Times
in
104 Posts
Tri and TT bikes are very similar and are optimized for low wind resistance on the assumption
that you to can ride like Tyler at 30mph. Wind resistance becomes significant above 17-20mph
and is really noticeable above 25mph. Tri bikes frequently have 650 size wheels, where TT and
road bikes have (mostly) 700c size wheels. a 700 rear and 650 front allow the rider to drop down
a few more inches (1.1") and thus reduce frontal cross section. The reason for 650 size is
a bit obscure but entrenched in Tri lore. Tri bikes are marketed to the tri folk who go all wobbly over a Quintana Roo. TT bikes to the TT specialists and a few confused Tri riders. TT types get excited over
Litespeed Blades and such. A good Tri/TT bike will knock a few percent off your time over
25miles compared to a road bike. OLN had the US national TT televised a few years ago
and one poor sot was DQ because his bike would not allow a business card to be slid between
the rear tire and the cutout frame. It slid before, but not after the ride. I guess the tire
got hot and expanded. Steve
that you to can ride like Tyler at 30mph. Wind resistance becomes significant above 17-20mph
and is really noticeable above 25mph. Tri bikes frequently have 650 size wheels, where TT and
road bikes have (mostly) 700c size wheels. a 700 rear and 650 front allow the rider to drop down
a few more inches (1.1") and thus reduce frontal cross section. The reason for 650 size is
a bit obscure but entrenched in Tri lore. Tri bikes are marketed to the tri folk who go all wobbly over a Quintana Roo. TT bikes to the TT specialists and a few confused Tri riders. TT types get excited over
Litespeed Blades and such. A good Tri/TT bike will knock a few percent off your time over
25miles compared to a road bike. OLN had the US national TT televised a few years ago
and one poor sot was DQ because his bike would not allow a business card to be slid between
the rear tire and the cutout frame. It slid before, but not after the ride. I guess the tire
got hot and expanded. Steve
08-20-04, 04:48 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Someplace trying to figure it out
Posts: 10,664
Bikes: Cannondale EVO, CAAD9, Giant cross bike.
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 67 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
6 Posts
The difference in a time trial/triathlon bike and a road bike is the frame geometry. The tt bike moves the rider closer to the front of the bike without changing the relative placement of the bottom bracket. The TT bike also has a shorter wheel base for less wind resistance, but it also makes the bike a lot more twitchy. For example, if you watch cycling you might hear them talk about the handling characteristics of the TT bike...that's why.
It's a totally different setup than a road bike.
That being said, we do fit a lot of riders on road bikes with tri/aero bars. The problem with a road bike is that the aero bars are about six inches further forward than the drops, and the road bike's geometry is designed for the drops. So, typically you either see a rider trying to breathe (because they are bent over at the waist so far it restricts their breathing) or they have pushed the seat forward and have now totally changed their pedaling motion. I've seen people riding bikes that look like they are laying on their stomachs...it's pretty amusing to see them trying to ride in the "aero" postion and can't get above 20 MPH due to the way they are pedaling...
If you get aeros, have a fitter put them on for you. Length, width, and your position on the bike all have to be considered unless you just like pedaling with bad times..
It's a totally different setup than a road bike.
That being said, we do fit a lot of riders on road bikes with tri/aero bars. The problem with a road bike is that the aero bars are about six inches further forward than the drops, and the road bike's geometry is designed for the drops. So, typically you either see a rider trying to breathe (because they are bent over at the waist so far it restricts their breathing) or they have pushed the seat forward and have now totally changed their pedaling motion. I've seen people riding bikes that look like they are laying on their stomachs...it's pretty amusing to see them trying to ride in the "aero" postion and can't get above 20 MPH due to the way they are pedaling...
If you get aeros, have a fitter put them on for you. Length, width, and your position on the bike all have to be considered unless you just like pedaling with bad times..
08-20-04, 11:32 AM
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: England
Posts: 12,948
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times
in
7 Posts
When using aerobars, the rider positions the sadle to rotate his whole body about the bottom bracket, to put more weight on the bars, and create a flatter back.
Both the TT and tri bike do this, but the tri is less restricted in terms of allowable geomtery. The tri geometry and position is really designed to favour runners who have very strong legs but are not used to the road racing position.
Both tri and TT bikes have steering geometries which are stable rather than agile.
UCI rules change every year. If you want to race in a UCI controlled race, then you need a compliant bike.
Both the TT and tri bike do this, but the tri is less restricted in terms of allowable geomtery. The tri geometry and position is really designed to favour runners who have very strong legs but are not used to the road racing position.
Both tri and TT bikes have steering geometries which are stable rather than agile.
UCI rules change every year. If you want to race in a UCI controlled race, then you need a compliant bike.
08-20-04, 11:34 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 687
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by roadwarrior
The difference in a time trial/triathlon bike and a road bike is the frame geometry. The tt bike moves the rider closer to the front of the bike without changing the relative placement of the bottom bracket. The TT bike also has a shorter wheel base for less wind resistance, but it also makes the bike a lot more twitchy. For example, if you watch cycling you might hear them talk about the handling characteristics of the TT bike...that's why.
It's a totally different setup than a road bike.
That being said, we do fit a lot of riders on road bikes with tri/aero bars. The problem with a road bike is that the aero bars are about six inches further forward than the drops, and the road bike's geometry is designed for the drops. So, typically you either see a rider trying to breathe (because they are bent over at the waist so far it restricts their breathing) or they have pushed the seat forward and have now totally changed their pedaling motion. I've seen people riding bikes that look like they are laying on their stomachs...it's pretty amusing to see them trying to ride in the "aero" postion and can't get above 20 MPH due to the way they are pedaling...
If you get aeros, have a fitter put them on for you. Length, width, and your position on the bike all have to be considered unless you just like pedaling with bad times..
It's a totally different setup than a road bike.
That being said, we do fit a lot of riders on road bikes with tri/aero bars. The problem with a road bike is that the aero bars are about six inches further forward than the drops, and the road bike's geometry is designed for the drops. So, typically you either see a rider trying to breathe (because they are bent over at the waist so far it restricts their breathing) or they have pushed the seat forward and have now totally changed their pedaling motion. I've seen people riding bikes that look like they are laying on their stomachs...it's pretty amusing to see them trying to ride in the "aero" postion and can't get above 20 MPH due to the way they are pedaling...
If you get aeros, have a fitter put them on for you. Length, width, and your position on the bike all have to be considered unless you just like pedaling with bad times..
08-20-04, 01:12 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Pasadena, CA
Posts: 241
Bikes: Cervelo Soloist Team, Cervelo SuperProdigy, Colnago C50
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Somewhat new to this, but I have been looking to get a new bike and I have been doing a lot (as in tons) of research. Friends laugh at me and tell me over analyze everything, but anyways enough about me.
Road bikes generally have a seat post angle of around 73-74 degrees , Tri bikes around 76-78 degrees and TT around 80 degrees. The angles may seem slight, but apparently they make huge differences and are heavily scientifically based. The steeper tri and TT geometry means you will be more aerodynamic as was said before, but it also creates less fatigue, such that it promotes more spinning and less pounding of the pedals.
Additionally, geometrically, the steep angle allows for a shorter chainstay. Many tri and TT used the 650 wheelsets to accomplish that, but now you can find a lot of tri and TT bikes that have 700s. The shorter chainstay, just translates into less lost energy transfer to the rearwheel.
Anyways, I could right a tom more but there are more informative people and websites than I can offer. Here are some very infomative links, both sites are great and you should just scroll around them:
https://bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/karma.shtml
https://bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/difference.shtml
https://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadin.../geometry.html
https://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadin...r/bikefit.html
Lastly, I'll throw in one more thing about me, I have been struggling to decide if I want a tri or road bike also. I have not been able to make a decision, but if you can afford it ($2399) you might want to check out the Cervelo Soloist. It has an adjustable seatpost, that allows you to adjust between 73 and 76 degrees and therefore creates about as close to a dual purpose bike that you can find. reviews I read said it is an excellent road bike and a good tri bike. I road one at a local store and thought it was amazing. They do make a cheaper one called the Soloist 105 but I think the added components are worth it.
Anyways, just my $0.10
Road bikes generally have a seat post angle of around 73-74 degrees , Tri bikes around 76-78 degrees and TT around 80 degrees. The angles may seem slight, but apparently they make huge differences and are heavily scientifically based. The steeper tri and TT geometry means you will be more aerodynamic as was said before, but it also creates less fatigue, such that it promotes more spinning and less pounding of the pedals.
Additionally, geometrically, the steep angle allows for a shorter chainstay. Many tri and TT used the 650 wheelsets to accomplish that, but now you can find a lot of tri and TT bikes that have 700s. The shorter chainstay, just translates into less lost energy transfer to the rearwheel.
Anyways, I could right a tom more but there are more informative people and websites than I can offer. Here are some very infomative links, both sites are great and you should just scroll around them:
https://bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/karma.shtml
https://bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/difference.shtml
https://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadin.../geometry.html
https://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadin...r/bikefit.html
Lastly, I'll throw in one more thing about me, I have been struggling to decide if I want a tri or road bike also. I have not been able to make a decision, but if you can afford it ($2399) you might want to check out the Cervelo Soloist. It has an adjustable seatpost, that allows you to adjust between 73 and 76 degrees and therefore creates about as close to a dual purpose bike that you can find. reviews I read said it is an excellent road bike and a good tri bike. I road one at a local store and thought it was amazing. They do make a cheaper one called the Soloist 105 but I think the added components are worth it.
Anyways, just my $0.10
