Do I need Aerobars for Ironman?

A dedicated Ironman aerobar will help your performance, but there are options you can choose and still do well without one. For long-course racing, you need to make sure your aero position is comfortable, powerful, sustainable, and allows you to run a half marathon when the ride is completed.

Do I need tri bars for a triathlon?

Since TRI bars help reduce wind resistance, the power needed is much less than having no TRI bars. As well improving you speed at the same power output, using TRI bars also effect the alignment of your lower limbs. The change of triathlon bike position will help the body to produce more power to the pedals.

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).

Do Aerobars make a difference?

Reduced Frontal Area = Reduced Drag

So if you're starting with a standard road bike, you have a lot of room for improvement by riding in an aero position using clip on aero bars. After installing aero bars, riders typically find that they're going 1 to 2 mph faster at the same level of effort.

Can I use aero bars 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.

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

Do I need Aerobars?

AERO BARS MAKE YOU ~1min 40s per 40KM FASTER

The advantage of adding aero bars on your road bike is to lower your upper body to a more aero position. You create less drag and hence go faster for the same amount of effort.

Can you do a full Ironman with a road bike?

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 much faster will a tri bike make me?

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.

Do you tape Aerobars?

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.

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.

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.

What bike should I get for an 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.

Why do triathletes use tri bars?

What are they? Aerobars, also known as tri-bars, are bolt-on handlebar extensions that allow you to adopt a more aerodynamic (aero) position compared to riding on drop handlebars. Triathletes love them because an aero position equates to faster times – oh, and they're cheap too.

Are tri 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.

What are the best Aerobars?

How many watts do aero bars save?

Reichenbach et al tested elite cyclists in various positions on standard bars and aero bars and they made a stark finding: although the aero bars reduced cycling efficiency by around 9 watts, the aerodynamic savings of 100 watts more than made up for it(5).

Why are tri bikes heavier?

Why are Triathlon bikes Heavier than Road Bikes? A triathlon bike is heavier than a road bike by 2- 4 lbs or 1 to 2 kg. The reason is that the aim is to make a triathlon bike more aerodynamic rather than lightweight as it is in road bikes.

What is the fastest time trial bike?

How much should I cycle for an Ironman?

As you know, an Ironman features a 112-mile bike leg and a 26.2-mile run. A metric Ironman workout consists of a 112 km (69.6-mile) bike leg and a 26 km (16.1-mile) run.

How much time does a TT bike save on Ironman?

That means you'll save nearly 20 minutes throughout a 112-mile Ironman bike leg. Think about it. Simply swapping your road bike for a tri bike in your next Ironman can save you that extra time toward a new Personal Best.

How many gears does an Ironman bike have?

Your standard racing bike (triathlon or road) has 10 gears attached to the rear wheel, collectively known as the cassette.