Are TT bikes good for climbing?

When cycling uphill you'll benefit from a lighter road bike, as the geometry allows you a more comfortable and efficient ride. The aerodynamic advantages of a tri bike are negligible when climbing and you may be forced to utilise the quadriceps more, which can hinder your run performance.

Does a TT bike make a difference?

The BikeRadar website claims the advantage a TT bike gives you is 60-70 watts at 40 km/h, that is, it takes 270-280 watts to ride a road bike at that speed and 220 watts to ride a TT bike. Translated into seconds, a TT bike gives you 9 seconds per kilometre advantage. This is six minutes in a 40 km time trial. Insane.

Can you climb with a time trial bike?

There are three climbing positions that you can adopt on the bike. Each position comes with its own pros and cons, so it is important to understand when to adopt which position and why.

What is a TT bike used for?

A time trial bicycle is a racing bicycle designed for use in an individual race against the clock. Compared to a road bike, a time trial bike is more aerodynamic, has a shorter wheelbase, and puts the rider closer to the front of the bicycle. It may have either solid disc or spoked wheels.

Are TT bikes comfortable?

Time trial bikes are usually less comfortable, considerably heavier (usually 1-2kg or 2.3-4.6lbs), with deeper tube sections that make the frame more aerodynamic. The cockpit will feature a flat base bar and some tribars with gear shifters on the extensions, which is much more aero than a drop handle bar.

Road Bike Vs Tri Bike | Dartmoor Hill Climb Challenge

Are TT bikes heavy?

The weight of a TT triathlon bike is around 20 Lbs (pounds) or 9 Kg while ranging from 18 to 21Lbs, or 8 to 9.5 KG. We can also conclude that a TT triathlon bike is heavier than a road bike.

How often should I ride my TT bike?

Some athletes can ride the tri bike just once per week and feel just fine on race day, while others need to spend nearly all of their time on it as race day nears. If you feel good on the tri bike and want to just perform one key workout each week on it, then that should be sufficient.

Do you need a TT 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).

Can you use a TT bike as a road bike?

Yes, a triathlon bike can be changed to a road bike. This can be sometimes expensive and consume a lot of time but it is very doable. The main parts of these two different bikes can be swapped to change one into the other. You just have to pay attention to the fit as you do so.

Why are TT bikes faster than road bikes?

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.

Why are TT bikes heavier?

A time trial bike is typically 1-2kg heavier than a road bike. This is because the main focus is making a time trial bike more aerodynamic rather than lightweight. TT frames tend to be heavier because of bigger 'aerofoils' and bigger frames. This can put a time trial bike at a disadvantage going up hill.

Can you use a road bike for 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.

How do you train for a hilly Ironman?

If You're Training for a Hilly Bike Course…

If the downhills are steeper than you are comfortable descending on your triathlon bike, train on a road bike during those workouts. While climbing alternate between both seated and standing. A good tactic is to alternate standing and sitting every 1 minute.

Why do triathletes use TT bikes?

Triathlon's are stand-out challenge's that require proper training and sharp focus. Triathlon's also require the proper bike to ride. From the geometry of the frame and its efficient aerodynamics, to the angles of the seat tube and aerodynamics, riding a triathlon bike will enhance your triathlon results.

Can you use a TT bike for triathlon?

TT bikes and triathlon bikes can both be used for triathlon racing. Especially for shorter races. And some just like the look of the TT bike — simple, streamlined. But if the bike portion of the race is long, especially something like a 70.3 or full Ironman distance, a tri bike will be much more comfortable.

Are tri bikes more comfortable?

A triathlon or time trial bike demands a fundamental change in body posture as compared to other styles of bikes. With the increase in aerodynamics comes a decrease in comfortability.

Should triathletes train on a road bike?

Triathletes riding road bikes is “PRO” If you follow any of the most successful and famous triathletes in the world, many of the best will supplement a road bike into their training regimen.

How do you optimize the TT position?

For an aggressive position suitable for a top-level triathlete or a road race time trial event, the top of the elbow pad should be at least a full fist width below the mid-point of the saddle (most fists are about 8cm). Often these athletes can be optimised with between a 10-20cm saddle to elbow pad drop.

Do TT bikes have brakes?

On a modern time trial bike, the brakes are usually hidden out of the airflow. This means that the front brake is sited behind the fork and the rear tucked behind the seat-tube near the chain-stays. Mini-V brakes are becoming increasingly popular for their smaller size and more powerful braking performance.

What is the fastest time trial bike?