Are aero bars allowed in Ironman?

They share many of the same aerodynamic benefits of a triathlon bike, but have traditional drop bars. As you prepare for your IRONMAN event, install aerobars and adapt to the new position. On race day, you will be just about as aero as any other triathlon bike on course.

Why are aero bars not allowed?

Aerobars can be considered less safe for a few reasons: mostly because your hands are not on the brakes while riding in the aerobars. It also takes more practice and skill to maintain a straight line in the aerobars (especially in cross winds) due to how close your arms are together.

Do I need a aero bike for Ironman?

You can upgrade any of the parts on a road bike to make them lighter and more aero (wheels are the best place to start), but as far as the bare minimum set-up is concerned, all you actually need is a bike (says Rob Banino).

Are aero bars worth it for triathlon?

There are numerous benefits to using clip-on aero bars and if you are a triathlete, clip-on aero bars are definitely worth it. The position you adopt while using the bars can represent some of the best savings per dollar spent. Because of the aerodynamic advantage, energy saving is another major benefit.

Are aero bikes good for triathlon?

If you are trying to squeeze out every advantage, an aero road bike is not an equal substitute for a triathlon-specific bike. However, for those looking to have just one bike for every style of riding and racing, an aerodynamic road bike is definitely the best option.

Do Aerobars Really Make You That Much Faster? | Triathlon Taren

What type of bike is best for Ironman?

Road Bikes

They offer a wider range of use than a triathlon-specific bike, and are more stable and comfortable. Remember, if you are not comfortable, you will not be powerful. A road bike is one of the most versatile bikes you can invest in.

Do triathletes use TT bikes?

Conclusion: Which bike should I use for a triathlon? TT bikes and triathlon bikes can both be used for triathlon racing.

How many watts do aero handlebars save?

You can upgrade to an aero handlebar like a ZIPP SL-70 Aero handlebar and save 6.5w over your standard round bar; or if you want to really go the extra mile, consider an integrated bar/stem combo like the Vision Metron 6D Bar that our friends at EF Education First Pro Cycling are currently riding.

How much faster is aero position?

In simpler terms, the aero savings achieved by simply moving from a relaxed hood position to the horizontal arms position at 45kph would result in a 1.65kph speed increase at the same wattage, which results in a two minute time saving over the course of a 40km TT.

Do aero wheels make you faster?

Using aero wheels has been found to reduce a cyclist's CdA by 3-5%, so if you generate 350W of power, using aero wheels could see your speed on the flat rise from 44.6kmh to 45.4kmh, an increase of 1.63%.

Can I use a road bike in an Ironman?

If your goal is to complete the race and you're not worried about competing in age group or overall awards, a road bike will work fine, in my opinion. If your goal is to be more competitive, perhaps a tri bike should be your choice. Next, terrain makes a difference in the bike portion of your Ironman.

Can you do Ironman with a mountain bike?

One of the more common questions we get from beginner triathletes is if they can use their mountain bike, commuter bike, or hybrid bike in the triathlon. The answer is yes, absolutely – especially if you are doing a sprint or perhaps even an Olympic distance.

Can you do an Ironman on a gravel bike?

That said, there's no reason why you can't use your gravel bike for some fast road racing and triathlons. They're typically heavier and a bit more clunky than a sleek aero roadie, but you can always invest in a road-orientated, race-ready wheelset or even add some aerobars to make your gravel bike triathlon-friendly.

Are aero bars illegal?

As of 2023, clip-on Aero Bars will be forbidden in draft-legal triathlon races.

Why do pro triathletes use road bikes?

Road bikes are super lightweight and great for climbing

If you live somewhere that has any sort of undulating terrain, a road bike is a great tool to be able to fly up the climbs. Often times when climbing, even if on a triathlon specific bike, you are not in the aero position.

Is a triathlon bike faster than a road bike?

It's generally known that triathlon bikes have aerodynamic and geometric advantages that make them faster than road bikes. With all variables remaining equal over the bike leg of a triathlon, the tri bike wins in speed.

What is the fastest time trial bike?

Are aero bars comfortable?

They're easily recognized, and very comfortable. On a road bike, aero bars look like a horizontal fork, mounted to the top of drop bars. The prone, forward-leaning position puts your body in an aerodynamic posture, lowering your wind resistance.

Are hoods more aero than drops?

Research indicates that forearms horizontal while gripping the brake hoods provides more aerodynamic advantage than riding with your hands in the drops. This makes sense because you're reducing the vertical exposure of your arms.

Should I tape my aero bars?

But instead of being wrapping with padded bar tape, like a normal bar, aero road bars are designed to be used with bare tops. While slippery in the wind, the bare tops can also be slippery in the hands. Many pro racers just tape them normally.

Are Aero handle bars worth it?

Prime Primavera Aero Carbon Handlebar

These ergonomically-designed bars were stiff without feeling harsh and offer excellent value for a carbon option - they come highly recommended. The only downside was a lack of markings to help out with set-up, but once you've got them fitted, there isn't much we can fault.

At what speed do aerodynamics matter?

Aerodynamics start to have a more noticeable affect on a vehicle at around 50 mph. If you're traveling slower than 50 mph, the weight of the aerodynamic devices are probably more of a penalty than any perceived gain in performance.

Are triathlon bikes unisex?

None of the top five bikes in the 2017 annual bike count at Ironman World Championships—Cervelo, Trek, Specialized, Felt, and Argon 18—have gender-specific triathlon bikes, but Giant—which sits in the top 10— stands out as having specific bikes sized differently for men and women.

Should you train on your tri bike?

As your triathlon race approaches, you should plan on spending a higher percentage of your weekly rides on your triathlon bike. About 2-3 months before your race, I recommend conducting your key bike workouts on your race bike while maintaining your racing position (most likely aerobar position).