How does riding a triathlon bike differ to riding a road bike?

GB triathlete India Lee on the way to victory in the women's race at the 2024 Challenge Triathlon, The Championship (1.9km swim, 88km bike and 21km run) in a time of 3h56m46s, on May 19, 2024 at the X-Bionic Sphere in Samorin, Slovakia — (Credit: Ryan Sosna-Bowd/Getty Images)

Triathlon bikes and road bikes are both designed for riding on tarmac. But besides sharing several components, the similarities end there.

Straight-line speed is the focus in triathlon bike legs. Therefore, triathlon bike designers prioritise aerodynamics and pedalling efficiency above all else.

By contrast, even aero road bikes have to be much more versatile than triathlon bikes. Climbing performance, comfort, handling and practicality receive more attention.

These divergent demands result in numerous differences between triathlon bikes and road bikes. The principal one is what they feel like to ride.

So if you’re wondering when you should upgrade to a triathlon bike, read on to find out what to expect from a tri bike.

Handling

T100 Singapore 2024 Pro Mens Race on the 14th April 2024 at the Marina Bay, Singapore — Because they’re built to go fast in a straight line, tri bikes don’t handle that well (Credit: T100/Jesper Gronnemark)

The biggest difference you’ll notice between riding a triahtlon bike and road bike is the handling.

A triathlon bike wants to cruise, in a straight line and on the flat. But if you try ro accelerate fast, corner nimbly or climb, it’ll feel slow, cumbersome and a bit barge-like compared to your road bike.

That said, the more time you spend training on your triathlon bike, the more you’ll get used to its handling quirks and the less you’ll notice them.

Riding position

Triman 226 triathlon bike leg — Triathlon bikes put you in a more aggressive riding position (Credit: Triman)

The next difference between riding a triathlon bike and road bike is the position.

On a tri bike, your centre of gravity is further forward over the front wheel. With elbows, arms and hands narrow, it can sometimes feel a bit twitchy.

However, if your position has been correctly determined and you spend time riding in it, and not just on the turbo trainer, it’ll become second nature.

Location of the controls

FFWD RYOT 55 wheels fitted to Cube time trial bike — Triathlon bikes have the brakes and shifters in a different location to road bikes (Credit: Jack Sexty)

Finally, the location of your brakes and shifters are different on a triathlon bike.

Electronic shifters with satellite buttons negate this. But, if you’re on mechanical gears, you do have to plan before climbs or turns, especially if you’ll get out of the saddle.

If you’re on your tri-bars (aero bars), your brakes aren’t to hand, so you need to consider this too.

Again, though, practice makes perfect so just put in the training miles on your tri bike. With this in mind, consider if you should put away your triathlon bike for winter.

Now you’ve learned how triathlon bikes and road bikes differ, you can discover the difference between a triathlon bike and time trial bike.

About

Nikalas Cook is a writer, author, coach and athlete based in the Peak District. He specialises in health, fitness, endurance and adventure sports. Having studied a postgraduate degree in Health and Exercise Science, he worked for eight years as a top personal trainer in London. He was the editor of Totally Active magazine and writes for numerous specialist magazines and websites including 220 Triathlon, Outdoors Magic, Trail Running and Trek and Mountain. He has also edited the British Cycling member’s website, the Insight Zone. He’s written for national newspapers and magazines including The Times, The Financial Times, The Daily Mail, GQ, Men’s Fitness and Red Magazine. But he’s probably most proud of being Derbyshire Life’s beer correspondent. Nik has written two books (Marathon Training: Get to the Start Line Strong and Injury-free; Peak District Trail Running: 22 off-Road Routes for Trail & Fell Runners) and his third, entitled The Road Cycling Performance Manual, was published by Bloomsbury in June 2018. He has also worked with Nigel Mitchell on his book, Fuelling the Cycling Revolution, and with Martin Evans and Phil Burt on their book, Strength and Conditioning for Cyclists. He’s completed numerous cycling challenges including the Trans-Wales MTB stage race, the Fred Whitton, the Raid Pyrenees and both the Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders sportives. Competitively, he likes to combine his cycling with running and has previously won gold in his age-group at the ITU World Long Course Duathlon Championships at Powerman Zofingen.