Following the lead of the International Triathlon Union ITU, who approved the use of disc brakes for competition in 2016,
Ironman will allow road and triathlon bikes equipped with disc bikes at all Ironman and 70.3 events
.
Can you use a road bike in an Ironman?
Road bikes are comfortable to ride as long as you get the right fit
. They handle better and give a rider more confidence. They also give the rider multiple positions on the handlebars, which is important when riding 112 miles in an Ironman.
What kind of bike do I need for an Ironman?
The
road bike
should be every beginner and intermediate triathlete’s first choice. They offer a wider range of use than a triathlon-specific bike, and are more stable and comfortable. Remember, if you are not comfortable, you will not be powerful. A road bike is one of the most versatile bikes you can invest in.
Do you have to bring your own bike for an Ironman?
A. The bike will not come with pedals.
You will need to bring your own
. Pedals are also available for purchase at our shop in the IRONMAN Village.
Do tri bikes need disc brakes?
That timeline has likely been moved out a bit thanks to the pandemic, but the bottom line is that
disc brakes will be the norm in the future when it comes to triathlon bikes
.
Do TT bikes have brakes?
On a modern time trial bike,
the brakes are usually hidden out of the airflow
. This means that the front brake is sited behind the fork and the rear tucked behind the seat-tube near the chain-stays. Mini-V brakes are becoming increasingly popular for their smaller size and more powerful braking performance.
Can I use a mountain bike for an Ironman?
One of the more common questions we get from beginner triathletes is if they can use their mountain bike, commuter bike, or hybrid bike in the triathlon. The answer is
yes, absolutely – especially if you are doing a sprint or perhaps even an Olympic distance
.
Can I use a road bike for a triathlon?
How much faster is a triathlon bike?
there have been many tests in the wind tunnel and these tests often show in an Ironman event that a TT or Triathlon bike can be
up to 3kph quicker
, while this is a general figure you may find this slightly more or less depending on your position, wheel choice and average speed.
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.
Do I need Aerobars for Ironman?
A dedicated Ironman aerobar will help your performance, but there are options you can choose and still do well without one
. For long-course racing, you need to make sure your aero position is comfortable, powerful, sustainable, and allows you to run a half marathon when the ride is completed.
How much faster is a tri bike to 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.
Can I wear headphones during Ironman?
Headphones, headsets and audio devices are not allowed at any time during any triathlon event
. Most races allow you to carry your cell phone if you wish, but it must be stored out of sight in a bike bag or jersey pocket.
Do I need a tri suit for Ironman?
Triathlon suits:
Not necessary
, but nice-to-have. A good triathlon suit is designed specifically for triathlon, and offers benefits that may help you race faster and be as comfortable as possible.
Can you wear a watch during Ironman?
You are allowed to wear a watch during a triathlon
. It is recommended that you have it on and comfortably fit before the triathlon begins. That way, you don’t have to worry about putting on and/or taking off a watch in between events of the triathlon.
Why do triathlon bikes have rim brakes?
Bikes equipped with them
give the rider much better control of their braking
, whether the brakes are hydraulic or cable actuated.
Do racing bikes have brakes?
A track bicycle or track bike is a bicycle optimized for racing at a velodrome or outdoor track. Unlike road bicycles, the track bike is a fixed-gear bicycle; thus, it has only a single gear ratio and has
neither a freewheel nor brakes
.
Why are TT bikes faster?
| Bike/position Watt saving vs baseline | TTE time trial bike, at 50kph 21 vs AIR with clip ons |
|---|
Is a TT bike worth it?
When comparing the average and normalised power of both athletes we can definitively say we have an answer to our question – forgoing a severe lack of bike skills or huge gusting winds,
yes it is worth riding a TT bike in a non-draft race
and although we at JT Multisport specialise in finding every free watt possible …
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.
Can I use any bike for a triathlon?
For your first triathlon,
any bicycle that you have access to will work fine
. After the triathlon bug bites, you may want to consider a new bicycle. The question is—what type of bicycle is right for you? The two areas where the right bicycle can make the most impact are comfort and speed.
Can I use a gravel bike for triathlon?
That said,
there’s no reason why you can’t use your gravel bike for some fast road racing and triathlons
. They’re typically heavier and a bit more clunky than a sleek aero roadie, but you can always invest in a road-orientated, race-ready wheelset or even add some aerobars to make your gravel bike triathlon-friendly.
Can you use a cyclocross bike for a triathlon?
The very foundation of cyclocross means that
you can train for your triathlon effectively all year round
. Bike Radar cites that the sport originated in the 1900s so that road racers could stay fit through the winter months.
Do I need a specific bike for a triathlon?
Yes, you will need a bike
. No, it does not need to be expensive. We see people do triathlons on their old mountain bikes, hybrids, or other slower bikes — and especially with a couple simple modifications these bikes can do very well. If you can, try to use a road bike, even if you simply borrow one from a friend.
Which is faster road bike or tri bike?
It’s generally known that
triathlon bikes
have aerodynamic and geometric advantages that make them faster than road bikes. With all variables remaining equal over the bike leg of a triathlon, the tri bike wins in speed.
