What is the difference between a triathlon bike and a road bike?
Generally, any bike- a road bike, a mountain bike, a hybrid- can be used in a triathlon. In fact, some courses (many turns, lot’s of climbs and descents, are slightly better suited for a classic road bike. However, the bike-leg of a triathlon is basically a time trial. You want to go as fast as you can, using as little energy as possible. A triathlon frame has slightly different geometry. This places the rider in a more “forward” position and tends to keep her or him slightly lower over the frame. This stretched out and lowered position will have two effects: (1) less frontal exposure so lower wind drag; and (2) alters the muscles being used saving the hamstrings a bit more for the run. On top of this frame, triathlon-specific components can be added to make the bike even more of a “tri bike”. First, consider aero bars. The drag created by the air catching on an upright body will greatly decrease the amount of power that is transferred from the pedals into resulting forward movement. A
