So, are you better off getting a triathlon specific frame, or better off attaching clip-on aero bars to your road bike frame? This topic has been grilled to death on the internet but we’re going to talk about it regardless. I did my first two Ironmans on a road bike with aero bars and have some points that I think are useful to those weighing this decision.
Things to consider:
-The aerodynamic position on a triathlon bike allows your hips to stay open. If you were to put your back into the same aerodynamic position on a road bike, you will more than likely have a tighter hip angle, pinching off some of the blood flow and comfort you’ll need to perform well. If you have tight back and glute muscles, riding in any semblance of an aero position while on a road bike is going to be extremely uncomfortable. If you have a barrel chest, big gut, large breasts – same thing holds true. Your quads will be hitting your upper body on a road bike with aero bars. Moving the seat forward relative to the bottom bracket (which is basically what a tri-bike does) will open up your hips and give you more room to breath and stay comfortable,while all while being more aerodynamic. In our opinion this is what most people neglect to look at. They think because their body won’t allow them to be aero, they don’t need a triathlon frame with a steeper seat angle. TOTALLY wrong, it will help in a big way for the reasons mentioned above.
-More power when further over the bottom bracket. Have you ever seen professional cyclists when they’re giving it 110% in a Time trial or a solo breakaway? They’re sitting as far forward on the saddle as they can to generate the highest amount of power. Competitive cyclists have specific rules that keep their bike saddles from being too far forward – not applicable to triathlon and it’s good to take advantage of it (to a point). If you’ll be doing a lot of climbing out of the aero bars, you can generate more power by sitting further back on the saddle so you don’t want to take the forward saddle position too far.
Continue reading Tri Bike or Road Bike for long course triathlon
