Why Do Triathletes Use Tt Bikes?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Triathlon's are stand-out challenge's that require proper training and sharp focus. Triathlon's also require the proper bike to ride. From the geometry of the frame and its efficient aerodynamics, to the angles of the seat tube and aerodynamics, riding a triathlon bike will

enhance your triathlon results

.

What is the difference between a TT and a triathlon bike?

Dedicated triathlon often have a steeper seat tube angle, which pushes the hips forward and saves the hamstrings for the run. TT bikes have to adhere to International Cycling Union (UCI) rules, which requires that the saddle nose must be 5cm from the centre of the bottom bracket.

What is a TT bike good for?

A TT bike is

designed to be used in one environment, competitive time trial races

. Some cyclists choose to train on their TT bike, but many others train on a road bike and only use their TT bike whilst competing. TT bikes have an extremely aggressive riding position, which isn't hugely comfortable.

Why do Olympic triathletes use road bikes?


Road bike are more versatile in regard to climbing, cornering and attacking which makes them a better choice for a road race

. Subject: RE: Why No Triathlon Bikes in the Olympics?

Are triathlon bikes faster?

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.

Are triathlon bikes unisex?


None of the top five bikes in the 2017 annual bike count at Ironman World Championships—Cervelo, Trek, Specialized, Felt, and Argon 18—have gender-specific triathlon bikes

, but Giant—which sits in the top 10— stands out as having specific bikes sized differently for men and women.

Are TT bikes UCI legal?

UCI Legal Time Trial Bikes

If you are going to be competing in UCI events, then

make sure the frame is on the UCI approved frames list and is legal

. Team Dimension Data race on the Cervelo P5, but in order to make it UCI legal the team has to swap the fork for the shallower Cervelo P3 one.

Do I need a TT bike for Ironman?

You Don't Need a Fancy Bike…

First off, it's not about the bike. Seriously,

you don't need a snazzy triathlon bike to do well in one of these races

. I passed a lot of Cervelo P3s and aero helmets on my road bike, a Trek Emonda I'd equipped with aero bars. I wore a regular helmet and normal jersey.

Are TT bikes road legal?


You can't use it in road or crit races

and they're frowned on in Sportives.

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 …

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.

Can you ride a triathlon bike on the road?


Yes, a triathlon bike can be changed to a road bike

. This can be sometimes expensive and consume a lot of time but it is very doable. The main parts of these two different bikes can be swapped to change one into the other. You just have to pay attention to the fit as you do so.

How many gears should a triathlon bike have?

Your standard racing bike (triathlon or road) has

10 gears

attached to the rear wheel, collectively known as the cassette.

Do Olympic triathlon bikes have gears?

Gearing: generally speaking,

triathlon bikes come with a groupset made for flat roads

. If you plan to do steep climbs, you might need to consider changing your gear set up.

Why are triathlon 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 fast do TT bikes go?

The outright lap record now stands at an average speed of

135.452mph

, set by a BMW S1000RR-mounted Peter Hickman in 2018. Just think about that for a moment: top speeds of 200mph, average speeds of 135mph… around a demanding, dangerous 373⁄4-mile road course.

Is 12 mph fast on a bike?


Most cyclists can achieve 10-12 mph average very quickly with limited training

. More experienced, short-medium distance (say 20-30 miles): average 15-16 mph. Reasonable experience, medium (say 40 miles): average around 16-19 mph.

How can I make my TT bike faster?

Why is a triathlon bike different?

One main difference is simply

the way the seat is positioned

. On a triathlon bike, the seat tube is steeper than a road bike. The angle of the seat tube on a triathlon bike forces the hips to sit forward which gives the rider less tension on their quadriceps and hamstrings.

What is a triathlon bike called?

A

time trial bicycle

is a racing bicycle designed for use in an individual race against the clock. Compared to a road bike, a time trial bike is more aerodynamic, has a shorter wheelbase, and puts the rider closer to the front of the bicycle. It may have either solid disc or spoked wheels.

Where is Quintana Roo made?

Not only are the bikes hand-painted in house, but they are all decaled, clear-coated, and then assembled in our

Chattanooga, Tennessee

facility as well. The result is a truly unique triathlon bike that is finished and assembled in the USA. Customize your bike with one of our paint colors now.

What is a Gravelbike?

A gravel bike is

a drop-bar bike designed to let you ride over many different surfaces

. The drop handlebar and sporty geometry means you can make good progress on the road –but, with wider tyres, lower gearing and stable handling, you can also head off-road with confidence.

What does CX mean in bikes?

A

cyclo-cross bike

or cyclo-cross bicycle (abbreviated CX Bike or CXB) is a bicycle specifically designed for the rigors of a cyclo-cross race. Cyclo-cross bicycles roughly resemble the racing bicycles used in road racing.

Why does UCI regulate sock height?

Written rules (UCI)

The precise measurement can be seen in the picture below. Now the big question is: Why can't they be higher? This is because

some socks can actually be more aerodynamic than bare skin

, so you'd have an advantage when wearing high socks.

How do Ironman athletes pee?


Some athletes will urinate, wetsuit or no wetsuit, while standing in the water waiting for the race to begin

. You can imagine the water contamination issues if 2,000 athletes use the start area of the local triathlon as their personal toilets.

Can I do an Ironman with a road bike?


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.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.