Road Bike With Aero Bars Vs Tri Bike

Take the aero bars off a tri bike and you have a bike without the speed of a tri bike and without the handling of a road bike.

Road bike with aero bars vs tri bike. A triathlon bike has a much larger seat tube angle 76 to 78 degrees than that of a road bike 72 degrees for a typical road bike. Tri tt frames generally make poor handling road bikes since they are optimized for a low forward position in the aero bars. The decades old debate on buying a tri bike vs road bike with aero bars rages on even to this day. In the same amount of time that it takes to fill a couple of water bottles you can switch between a pure road bike for group riding and a tri bike setup for training or racing.

Plus i ve heard the position a rider is in on a tri bike makes the transition to a run easier. Road bikes are more versatile than dedicated triathlon or time trial bikes and adding quick release aero bars lets you take full advantage of a single bike. Whereas a solid road bike can be used in many ways. Flexibility and strength will determine which bike you use as the relative fatigue of a tt bike is higher than a road bike.

The steeper angle of the the tri bike can create a much more aero position. For many people it would be a better choice to use road bike with tt bars because there will be less fatigue on the body and it will deliver your body to a better shape. The downside to tri bikes is that they can be uncomfortable i ve heard a few ironman triathletes complain of back pain after riding in the aero position for five hours or more. Also the drop handlebar will enhance steering and braking power.

Whereas a solid road bike can be used in many ways. However one thing is for sure buying a tri bike takes on a certain dedication. What makes one better is part science and part mental. Road bikes are lightweight and great for climbing hills they turn sharply and they can easily be modified with aero bars and other equipment that can help you achieve the aerodynamic profile that a tri bike offers.

Road bikes come with drop handlebars. The decades old debate on buying a tri bike vs road bike with aero bars rages on even to this day. Tri bikes are more aerodynamic and are faster than road bikes. These handlebars will allow you to place your hands within a comfortable reach of the control buttons and allow you to have optimal control of your bike.

This is contrary to the aero handlebars on the triathlon bikes.