All You Need For Triathlon

What is a triathlon bike, and how is it different to a road bike?

A triathlon bike is built for speed, no doubt about it! Every feature of the design works to maximise aerodynamics and marginal gains. Riding a triathlon - also known as a Time Trial or TT - bike and a road bike is truly chalk and cheese. Common triathlon bike features include: 

Tri bars 
The most noticeable feature that indicates this is not your average road bike; tri bars are attached to conventional drop bars or integrated into the steam and bike itself. The bars enable the rider to lean down and low; the idea is to stay in this position for extended periods (180km if you’re an Ironman-distance athlete!) and maintain a highly aerodynamic, powerful position. 

Sharp frame geometry 
The frame accentuates these efforts to be as aero as possible. A tri bike’s frame will typically sport much sharper angles than a road bike to keep the rider low (but also better open up their hip for an easier transition into the run). Most of the drag (friction created as an object moves through the air) in cycling comes from the cyclist, not the bike. As such, a compact body that takes up less surface area is the aim of the game here! 

Integrated brakes
We are going to end up sounding like a broken record, but aerodynamics are of critical importance to triathletes. So again, to enhance this, you will often find tri bikes neatly tucking their braking systems into the fork and then hidden under the bottom bracket. Such a feature helps make the bike as swift and smooth as possible. 

Seat positioning
Expect a steeper position for a TT bike as opposed to a road bike. The more aggressive angle forces the rider to sit forward, thus making themselves more aerodynamic. Moreover, this feature relieves some of the pressure from the quadriceps and hamstrings, which get a serious work-out regardless. 

Aero wheels 
With an aero bike typically comes aero wheels (often made from carbon fibre), which are designed to be light and slice through the air. 

Helmets 
Serious triathletes look for marginal gains, and this includes their helmet design. It is not uncommon to see triathletes racing in futuristic-looking teardrop-shaped helmets, which reduce drag by encouraging air to glide over and down the back of the head. 

Triathlon shoes 
These are a big give-away as more often than not they open and close with a velcro strip. Why? You guessed it - speed. The triathlete doesn’t have to dial in or out of shoes, undo laces, e.t.c. It’s just a quick slap on or rip off and they’re ready to race! This is especially handy for serious triathletes. Rather than putting their shoes on in transition, they will already be cleated into the pedals, velcro straps open, and ready to wear. This enables the athlete to properly run their bike through transition (have you ever tried running with road shoes? Feels like an awkward penguin on parade, no?).  Once they get over the white safety line, they literally jump onto the bike, put their feet into the ready-waiting shoes and sort themselves out as they are already in full-cycle mode. Then, come the end of the bike leg, you simply reverse engineer - feet come out of shoes before the dismount so that when they approach the white line, they simply leap off the bike and into a full-blown run. No mucking around! 

Tri suit 
Again in order to minimise time in transition and maximise comfort across all disciplines, triathletes often race in specific tri suits. This is typically a one-piece Lycra suit with short or no sleeves and finishes fairly high on the leg. It may have a small amount of chamois padding, but not very much. Indeed, although this is an advantage on the bike, it can be a hindrance in the swim or on the run.  

Compression socks and tights 
You will often see endurance triathletes in compression socks or tights to minimise the almost inevitable swelling that goes hand-in-hand with such gruelling distances. 

Storage 
Another tri telltale feature is storage capacity. This is particularly so for endurance triathletes, who need access to plenty of fluid and fuel throughout a race. As such, expect bidons (water bottles) either attached to or integrated into the front of the bike as well as the back of the saddle and even the frame. Food such as nutrition bars or gels will often be taped to the top tube, bars or under the saddle, depending on what the triathlete prefers. 

What is a triathlon transition? 

You will often hear of ‘T1’ and ‘T2’, which simply mean first transition (from the swim to the bike) and second transition (from the bike to the run). This area looks like a massive bike park and is where athletes enter and exit to take off gear, put new gear on, pick up their bike, drop it off, and maybe even stop for a breather, snack, or toilet break if the stakes are not that high and it’s all just for the fun. 

How do I get involved in triathlons? 

It comes down to personality, but we would probably recommend you start with a sprint or an Olympic distance triathlon, rather than jump in the deep end with an endurance distance. There are so many triathlon clubs around Australia, you are spoilt for choice. See who is in your area and get a feel for their culture. It is unlikely you will have to register with them immediately - most probably offer a teething period so you can each trial the other! However, being a club member is a terrific way to avail of professional coaching, learn tips and meet new mates. This sport has the potential to open you up to a whole new exciting lifestyle. You’ll be hooked before you know it! 

Triathlon tips 

Contact Us 

We’re here to help with any triathlon enquiries you have. Whether you’re after a tri bike, tri accessories or you just have questions as you start out in this great sport, we’d love to help you and play a part in it!  So contact us today and let’s talk tri.