Tri bike vs. Road bike Question

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2006-03-17 1:31 PM

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Subject: Tri bike vs. Road bike Question
I am considering a new bike purchase. I am riding a mountain bike right now. I have been looking at tri bikes and road bikes. Can someone explain to me the difference between them? I understand that the tri bikes have the aero bars and the more aero-dynamic cross bars, but I don't understand why road bikes wouldn't have those as well? Road bikers would want to be just as light and as aerodynamic as the tri bikers would so if those cross bars on the tri bike are more aerodynamic, why wouldn't the road bike have them as well?



2006-03-17 1:36 PM
in reply to: #372578

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Subject: RE: Tri bike vs. Road bike Question

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/difference.shtml

Aerobars are illegal in some bike races, and are not the best for climbing. And cyclists don't have to save their legs for the run, either.



Edited by the bear 2006-03-17 1:37 PM
2006-03-17 1:53 PM
in reply to: #372578

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Subject: RE: Tri bike vs. Road bike Question

And, road bikers typically get to draft riding in huge packs.  In that setting, fast access to brakes and tight turns in heavy traffic allow the road biker to stay with the pack.  That makes handling issues more important than your individual aerodynamic position to the road biker.

If you've ever watched the Tour de France, they ride high end road-geometry bikes for all the group stuff where they depend on drafting.  When they get to individual time trials, out go the road bikes and in come the "tri-bike" or time trial frames, where the biker stays supremely aero.

2006-03-17 2:42 PM
in reply to: #372584

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Subject: RE: Tri bike vs. Road bike Question
That is an awesome article Bear, it explained so much, thanks a ton!
2006-03-17 2:56 PM
in reply to: #372578

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Subject: RE: Tri bike vs. Road bike Question
Great article...thanks Bear.
2006-03-17 3:13 PM
in reply to: #372578

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Subject: RE: Tri bike vs. Road bike Question
thanks for the link Bear, all questions answered!

2006-03-17 3:15 PM
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Subject: RE: Tri bike vs. Road bike Question
morey1 - 2006-03-17 2:53 PM
If you've ever watched the Tour de France, they ride high end road-geometry bikes for all the group stuff where they depend on drafting.  When they get to individual time trials, out go the road bikes and in come the "tri-bike" or time trial frames, where the biker stays supremely aero.


Not quite ....... yes, they definitely have TT specific bikes but there are more stringent rules that the UCI puts out about saddle nose to bottom bracket distances, which makes most pro cyclist TT bikes only have about a 74 degree seat tube compared to the 76 - 78 triathlon pro's bikes.

The biggest difference between road TT bikes and tri bikes is that on the road everything is sacrificed for speed while on tri bikes it is more designed for comfort in the riding position so that you get off fresh as possible for the run.
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