For example, going from a road bike to a dedicated TT bike will typically increase speed by
between about 4 to 10 seconds per km
. So you can expect that just sticking on some aerobars onto a road bike will be at the lower end of that range or about 1mph give or take.
How much faster is a TT bike vs 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. Insane.
Can you put normal handlebars on a TT bike?
Altered Geometry
TT bikes are not designed for drop bars by default
. By putting a set of drop bars on a TT bike, the riding position of the rider is very likely to become uncomfortable and inefficient.
Why are TT bikes faster?
| Bike/position Watt saving vs baseline | TTE time trial bike, at 50kph 21 vs AIR with clip ons |
|---|
Are TT bikes good for long distance?
Tri-bikes have steep seat tube angles and often don’t handle that well. They are made to go fast in a relatively straight line, with the rider in a very low aero position.
Not a good bike for typical distance rides
.
Are drops more aero than Hoods?
Hunker down on the hoods, say researchers. It has been shown in multiple tests that
using the hoods with bent elbows is more aero than the drops
as the arms are straighter and offer a larger area to the wind on the drops.
Can I put tri bars on my road bike?
The answer is yes. On the bike leg of the triathlon, increasing your speed is all about reducing aerodynamic drag. And while there are dozens of small improvements you can make to your components and gear,
the investment that gives the greatest returns is adding a good pair bicycle aero bars
.
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).
Can I put drop bars on triathlon bike?
In addition to being low-cost on the onset, this third option also gives a new triathlete lots more options as they progress in skill and experience. For example,
over time, one can (1) keep the drop bars and clip-ons on the triathlon bike
and just use it that way for training and multisport racing.
Are tri bikes comfortable?
Triathlon bikes are
not designed to be comfortable
, they are designed to be aerodynamic, light, and to allow the rider to exert maximum effort against the pedals to get the most speed out of the ride.
Do triathletes Pee on the bike?
Some riders have practiced urinating on the bike while others consider a different approach.
Most triathletes don’t need to pee a lot when riding unless they ride really slow
. In this case, they can always stop at the port-a-potty station and urinate.
Are TT bikes good for climbing?
When cycling uphill you’ll benefit from a lighter road bike, as the geometry allows you a more comfortable and efficient ride.
The aerodynamic advantages of a tri bike are negligible when climbing
and you may be forced to utilise the quadriceps more, which can hinder your run performance.
Why do TT bikes have horizontal dropouts?
Condensed answer: Some time trial (TT) bikes use rear-facing horizontal dropouts
so that the rear wheel can be as close as possible to the seat tube for better aerodynamics
.
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.
What is the difference between a TT bike and a tri bike?
The most significant difference is comfort. By design,
triathlon bikes are made to go the distance
. Triathletes often ride through hilly terrain, cover distances up to 112 miles during races and must transition to running quickly and efficiently. In contrast, time trial riders get off the bike completely spent.
How can I make my TT bike faster?
Is riding on the drops faster?
By riding with your hands in the drops you have not only lowered your center of gravity and allowed yourself to lean farther to either side for better cornering, but also have a more aerodynamic profile that
allows you to ride with less effort at the same speed than if you were riding with your hands on the brake hoods
…
How do cyclists reduce drag?
With high pressure in the front, and low pressure behind, the cyclist is literally being pulled backwards.
Streamlined designs help the air close more smoothly around these bodies and reduce pressure drag
. Direct friction occurs when wind comes into contact with the outer surface of the rider and the bicycle.
How much faster are TT bars?
I was 2min and 9sec faster on the TT bars for the same power which works out at
1.7mph
! As you can see there are big gains to be had although its not as easy as just fitting them on your bike as you will need to practise riding on the road as they will handle differently so make sure you are confident on them.
