Many triathlon bikes have aero frames, where 'aero' stands for aerodynamic. A sportive is a non-competitive version of triathlon, so instead of worrying about having been disqualified for going slower than the cut-off time, you can concentrate on the experience and enjoy the ride (literally). You can unsubscribe at any time. There is also the Wiggle Black Friday sale: there are savings to be made there already. The only exception is if you’re a particularly strong cyclist on the flats with otherwise fairly good bike handling skills. Cervelo P5x. If you struggle on the hills and don’t have solid descending skills then I’d almost always recommend a road bike. Groupsets you will see most often on time trial bikes are the Shimano 105, the Shimano Ultegra and the Shimano Dura-Ace. What Cervelo has done with the new P5x is design the bike around integrated storage compartments so your gear won't slow you down. But if you’ve got a limited budget, care about comfort and/or want a bike you can also use for training, commuting or the odd sportive event, then a road bike is the way to go. Ironman Arizona, USA. See if you can go for a test ride on a tri bike before buying, and decide if it’s right for you. The groupset on the Ultra Tri consists of mainly Shimano 105 R7000 pieces, apart from the brakes, it being TRP T860 alloy set. Is a road bike or triathlon bike best for a hilly Ironman? All rights reserved. T3 is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. The bike that is properly (i.e. It’s been at the top of the Ironman World Championship... 2. Mark Kleanthous explains how to decide which bike is most suitable for the Ironman course you’re racing. • Canyon Speedmax CF 8.0 Di2 review (early verdict): fiercely fast triathlon bike with a few surprisingly casual features, • Buy the Ultra Tri Shimano 105 directly from Ribble. Really fast. Of the three, the 105 is the most 'basic' set and the Dura-Ace is the most advanced. If international racing—non-drafting events sanctioned by the ITU—is in your future, an aero road bike will serve you best. Ready to take on the Ironman challenge? Visit our corporate site. And Ironman triathlon are about going fast over long distances. A time-trial bike is more aerodynamic but you will be in a more uncomfortable position, which puts considerable pressure on your neck, shoulders, arms and groin, and although you may get used to this position it can still result in discomfort. The always reliable Shimano 105 groupset does the work just fine when it comes to commandeering the derailleur in between the 22 available speed options. Although all the bikes on the below list come with aero bars, there is also an option to buy a road bike and attach an aerobar to it later, when needed. Over such a long distance, your pacing strategy can make… In general, given the distance you must cover in Ironman and that Ironman races are non-drafting events, the best style of bike will be a dedicated triathlon bike (or time-trial bike). How to turn your road bike into a triathlon bike, Alistair Brownlee to attempt sub-7hr Ironman. One of the main thing you will notice bike description mention is the type of groupset they use. Make sure the fit is tailored to suit a hilly IRONMAN course and not a 10 mile time trial! Merlin PR7 Disc road bike review. You don't need anything to hold you back more than absolutely necessary. There are advantages and disadvantages to using a tri bike, which vary depending on what type of rider you are. If you haven't got a lot of experience in bike technology, it's easy to get lost in the details and get super confused by the different groupsets, chainsets and wheelsets. A groupset is all the parts on the bike that make it move and stop, so all the equipment that transforms the kinetic energy generated by your legs and body to forward momentum (plus the brakes). You Don't Need a Fancy Bike... First off, it's not about the bike. I wouldn't put the BMC Timemachine 02 Two in the beginner tri bike category as it is not only it has a rigid carbon setup and therefore provides a firmer ride, but it also mostly caters for more experienced tri riders with barend shifters and stuff like the highly customisable seat post. The all-carbon P2 comes with a Shimano 105 R7000 groupset, an excellent mix for all the price conscious triathletes out there. For example, what length triathlons will you be participating in? Get the best triathlon bike and you are ready for the training. Better still, the Shimano Dura Ace Barend shifters complement the groupset beautifully and makes shifting gears in aero position way easier. Triathlons are not easy but they feel at least a little bit less demanding riding the best triathlon bike. And as important as it is to go fast during the swim, bike and run portions of the race, it’s just as important to … digital issue, or live overseas, click here. Thanks! These are made out of many different materials, but you would like something light, like carbon, to make the bike even lighter altogether. You can subscribe to the print magazine here or if you prefer a digital issue, or live overseas, click here. The P2's sleeker design reduces drag in side-wind conditions, without compromising on the stiffness you'd expect from an aero frame. By entering your details, you are agreeing to 220 Triathlon terms and conditions and privacy policy. The Canyon Speedmax has an impressive resume. Buying a triathlon or time trial bike can be more daunting than buying the best road bike, for example. The wheelset is also crucial when deciding on a setup. An aero bike is probably the most important piece of gear you’ll buy on your Ironman / long-distance triathlon journey. Minimising drag is the main aim when it comes to tt bikes. The IA | Advanced, Rim Brake is your entry to this very prestigious family. It is considering that the glamour is designed with a relief zone for outstanding comfort. The event will typically take you between eight and 16 hours to complete. Have a professional bike fit. © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. The Felt IA | Advanced, Rim Brake | 105 | 2020 uses a Shimano 105 R7000 groupset, coupled with an all-carbon aero frame. Triathlon bikes can be tricky to handle; they are made for going fast in a straight line and are not ideal for group riding or easy endurance rides. Compared to the Cervelo P3 which was the most used at Kona one year. Canyon is famous for providing great quality bikes for a very reasonable price, and this is true to the Speedmax CF 8.0 as well. If race-day speed is your only concern, then a super-expensive, super-aerodynamic TT bike is probably going to get you across the finish line fastest at your next triathlon or Ironman race. For gradients of less than 4%, the aerodynamic benefits can outweigh the disadvantages of the extra weight on a tri bike. • Buy the Cervelo P2 directly from Cervelo. When cycling uphill you’ll benefit from a lighter road bike, as the geometry allows you a more comfortable and efficient ride. First, determine how much you are willing to spend. Sign in to manage your newsletter preferences. The BMC Timemachine 02 Two is a very competent tri bike. Here you’ll find our archive of the top-scoring TT bikes we’ve tested, with all receiving at least 4/5. This feature will come handy when riding the 56-mile cycling part of the Ironman 70.3 in headwind. If you’re still undecided then I recommend you check out your Ironman course on both bikes. There are Sprints (Swim 750m, Bike 20km, Run 5km), Olympic (Swim 1500m, Bike 40km, Run 10km), Half Ironman (Swim 1900m, 90km, 21.1km), or Ironman (Swim 3800m, Bike 180km, Run 42.2km). Ironman Bike Workouts. Storage on a long-course triathlon has been a problem for a long time, especially when figuring out ways not to ruin the aerodynamics of a $10K bike. Do your research and consider the area where you train, and make sure you choose the correct frame size and get a good bike fit. You need to consider if a triathlon bike is suitable for you on the specific Ironman course you’re racing. The only exception is if you’re a particularly strong cyclist on the flats with otherwise fairly good bike handling skills. Canyon is so confident that you'll like the bike that they offer a 6-year guarantee on it. These are triathlon’s hottest bikes right now 1. Given the thick profile and all the additional storage units on the frame, the Ribble Ultra Tri is slightly susceptible to side wind, but since the bike is very light, it won't affect your riding experience all that much, especially in aggressive riding positions. Triathlons come in many shapes and sizes and if you are at the beginning of your triathlon journey, you might want to consider signing up for a triathlon sportive as opposed to a race. For women who want to bring a difference and the best bike times while participating in the Ironman distance, then this saddle from Selle San Marco is the best. professionally) fitted to the athlete and is functional on race day. This is what I ride for the various races: For all races, I use a compact crank with 50/34 gearing, then add: 23-11 for Ironman Texas, Florida and Arizona; 26-11 for 25-12 for Ironman St. George, Coeur d'Alene, Lake Placid, New York and Mont-Tremblant The Fizik Mistica is a triathlon-optimised saddle with a shorter and wider nose and non-slip material on the top, you so you can ride in comfort for longer. You’ll be training almost every day, for many months, with longer rides and runs that eat up your spare time at weekends. Road bikes are versatile and well suited for just about anything. Assuming you won't want to break the bank when investing in a new triathlon bike, there will some compromises you will have to make when picking a tt bike. Most triathletes benefit from using a tri bike, providing they’re properly fitted, complete key, long bike sessions on it and practise running off it straight after riding. Many new triathletes are best served with road bikes rather than triathlon bikes. 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Time trial bikes are also popular with triathletes competing in non drafting triathlons and Ironman events. A tri bike will generally be 1-2.5kg heavier than a road bike, so if your Ironman bike route is hilly then use your roadie, because the extra weight of a tri bike may take a … Triathlon is all about going fast. The extended seat tube cutout, for example, follows the curve of the rear wheel to improve aerodynamic performance. It's a stiff, light bike, which means it's … In general, you can never have enough gears in an Ironman. Get a set of Shimano 105 R7000 Carbon Pedals and you are ready to go. Cervelo bikes dominate the Ironman World Championships in Kona, and this is the one American rider Ben Hoffman rode in 2019. The bike is slightly heavier than the Canyon and Boardman entries on this list, but still comes under 10kg, which, considering all the tech that's involved here, is amazing. 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