Engineer Compares a Triathlon Bike to a Road Bike - The Differences Will Surprise You

In close races minor design differences can helptube at an angle of about 76 to 78 degrees instead of
decide the winner as explained by an engineer.the 73 degree angle common in most road bikes. The
Bicycles go by a lot of names and the designmore forward position of the tri bike design caused by
differences optimize them for different activities. Theythe different seat tube angle tends to use the
all have two wheels and a handlebar, but even thesehamstrings more and saves the quadriceps for when
are significantly different depending on what it'sit's time to do the running part of the race. The triathlon
designed for. To start with, road bikes are designed tobike is also more aerodynamic and this makes more
handle well in a variety of situations such as ridingdifference than you might think when it comes to
close to other bikers, sharp turning, climbing and theyfractions of a second that sometimes determine
still do reasonably well when called on for speed.winners.
One noticeable design characteristic of the road bike isBottom line: Different bicycles are clearly designed for
that the seat tube is usually at an angle of about 73their unique purposes, but that doesn't mean you can't
degrees. This allows for improved power for climbinguse a road bike (or even a mountain bike) in your first
and acceleration while still allowing the rider to respondtriathlon. Your time won't be the best it could be, but
fast when necessary while riding close to other riders.you're probably not going to win your first race
On the other hand, triathlon bikes (or tri bikes as theyanyway.
are also called), are designed for speed and efficiencyThe important thing to remember is to train with the
rather than for power and acceleration.bike you're going to race with. Don't change bikes just
One of the main ways this speed and efficiency isbefore a race.
accomplished in a tri bike design is to have the seat