What Size Triathlon Bike Do I Need

Triathlete being fit with front view Time trial Bike triathlon This article focuses on triathlon wheel (TB) and time trial (TT) bike plumbing equipment. It is non intended to be a resources for cycle sizing. Often these ii descriptions go intertwined. However, anyone with interest in bike fitting or sizing should understand the differences. With that said, fitting a time trial wheel works best when you start with the right size bicycle frame. At a minimum, a frame should be close enough to your correct size.

The position on the fourth dimension trial bicycle we volition discuss nearly volition be the aero position–forearms sitting on the armrest with hands at the end of the aero bars/extensions. This term is referred to every bit "in the aero confined." This does not render fit on the base bar or cow horn section of the bars unnecessary. On the contrary, consideration should focus here because it is the connectedness for starts, climbing, cornering, and where most brake levers are establish. We desire to assist guide you to a position that you lot will ride almost all of the time in the aero confined. If you are not able to ride in this position comfortably, we advise a change to the bike fit.

Time Trial Bike Contact Points Triathlon

Illustration ane – Tri-Bike with the "target" connection points highlighted.

Triathlon or time trial vs. road bike and considerations

One thing we will not focus on in this article is whether you should exist riding a triathlon bike vs. a road bike. For many, a road bike may amend serve you lot and there is nothing wrong with riding a route bike in a triathlon. When necessary, nosotros will specify TB (triathlon bike) or TT (time trial bicycle) for distinct or modality specific descriptions/reasons. Most of the time we will employ "TB." Like all cyclists, athletes who participate in triathlons, duathlons, and time trials want comfort while riding. Notwithstanding, unlike many road cyclists, the triathletes and time-trialists are rarely seen sitting upwards and relaxing. The geometry, and thus positioning, on a time trial bike is often quite different from a road bike.

At BikeFit, nosotros've developed our cycle plumbing equipment curriculum to address a duathlete's and triathlete's specific needs. Nosotros do comprise some of the protocols, particularly with regards to hip angle, developed past Dan Empfield at SlowTwitch/F.I.S.T. This is, of course, in addition to what nosotros perform during a typical fit (foot/pedal interface, seat pinnacle, stance width, front view, side view, etc.).

The history of "aero"

During the 1984 Olympics and around the Olympic Training Heart, many people started to detect "funny bikes,: This was, of course, prior to the appearance of "aero bars." Race Across American (RAAM) and then showed perhaps the first version of an "aero bar." The RAAM guys kick-started this aero bar craze, not the triathletes every bit many believe. Several morphologies occurred every bit the triathletes attempted aero positioning. Shortly thereafter, a Boone Lennon built a gear up of "aero" bars for a Tour de France racer. This publicity increased the "aero bar'due south" positive reception by ALL cyclists, not only the crazy long distance guys and the early on triathletes. And then John Cobb helped BikeFit founder, Paul Swift, compose what may accept been the first published bike fitting manual for time trial bikes and triathlon bikes in the 1990s: "The Bike Fitting System," co-authored with Vint Schoenfeldt, PT.

SlowTwitch

Today, Paul Swift now besides teaches at SlowTwitch, a fabled bike fit education program run past Dan Empfield. He is a man who has taken the side view and put it into a much easier to assimilate format. Dan invested more time into time trial bicycle and tri bike fitting than anyone on the planet. It is of import to notation, Dan focuses on the side view perspective but also does a corking task with helping fitters generate the all-time size frame (bicycle sizing) for their clients. Together SlowTwitch and BikeFit offer the nearly comprehensive triathlon bike fit in the world. Bike fitting that considers merely the side view is like edifice a firm and setting it on the footing without regard to the foundation. Fitting only the feet is like building the foundation but stopping before putting upwards the walls and roof.

Time Trial Bike Triathlon

The illustration higher up is an early version of a time trial position. This is as well fairly indicative of triathlon bikes at the time that focused on the aero position. This photo shows Chris Kostman of Adventure Corps- world wide web.adventurecorps.com. Chris is the promoter of the Furnace Creek 508 and an excellent BikeFit Pro. He certainly does non fit people like this today.

The differences between early time trial/triathlon bike fits and today

What are some of the differences with Chris's fit and a triathlon or time trial bike fit today? Fittings at this point occurred before we started with the human foot-pedal interface. Chris would point out he was at the forefront of setting the cleat further back on the shoe than nigh prescribed. We would fence he did it earlier shoes were ready for that change. With the advances in cycling shoe technology, indeed cleat position inverse (foot-pedal interface information).

Ii major things stand out when we look at Chris: hip bending and shoulder angle. The saddle is further back than most tri bike fits today. This results in a more acute hip angle which is exacerbated by the extra-long reach to the bar. Observe the shoulder angle; this is WELL beyond the typical ninety degrees or then we like today. Lucky for most of yous, this position disappeared years ago. People ahead of you suffered so that you can attain comfort and efficiency. A good time trial bicycle fit should be comfy for the elapsing of your wheel ride or race. You will also generate more ability and increase efficiency with a quality, comfy bike fit.

Tri(triathlon) or time trial bicycle position vs. route position?

From Dan Empfield www.Slowtwitch.com "The forrad position places the passenger over the cranks further and puts him/her in an aerodynamically sleek position. The position also saves key muscles for running. Route bike seat tube geometry is geared toward making efficient use of all leg muscles, especially the hamstrings, which is an important muscle to save for the run. Tri-geometry makes more use of the quads to generate power."

Nosotros practise believe most everyone agrees with Dan's first statement–this forward position "places the rider…in an aerodynamically sleek position." It is Dan's second argument that conjures disagreement among professionals. Some studies indicated footling to no noticeable change in physiological measures between a shallow seat tube angle and a steep seat tube angle. Ben Reuter and David Pascoe completed this study and published it in 2006 'Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise.' Referring back to Dan'southward statement, is that the same equally saying "central muscles?" You can decide. We retrieve near professionals agree with the use of the forward (aero) position. However, all are not in agreement as to its verbal benefits.

Position and comfort in triathlons

Before nosotros get to cycling part of your triathlon (the tertiary event), a good tri wheel position should also be comfortable for someone just getting out of the water and onto the bicycle–this is rarely discussed. The majority focuses on transitioning to the run. While this factor is crucial, the run is far away from when you get on the bike and commence the highest speed section of your race. Permit's endeavor to place the athlete in the most comfy aerodynamic position. In the cease, what is the bespeak of improved aerodynamics if yous are unable to generate an ounce of power? Nosotros suggest when getting a triathlon bike fit, swim as close every bit possible or just prior to your bike fit. A few places on the planet will set this upward for y'all. Ask if this is an interest, only places like this are few and far between.

The triathlon position tends to be more static than a road position. In other words, the cyclist spends less time adjusting or altering their body position while riding. And then the chief focus is, for the most part, pinpointing one position on the bike. Dialing in this single position really becomes a bit easier than a road fit. Yet, people sometimes suggest a tri-fit is more difficult.

Sizing

Sizing a tri bike is besides not as complicated as suggested past some. However, sizing takes a slightly different trained eye than road cycle sizing. Plumbing fixtures a triathlon bike comes downward to the contact points (connexion points) betwixt the cyclist and the cycle. These NINE contact points (yes there are nine places you bear upon a triathlon bicycle): right and left pedals (1,2), the saddle (three), right and left forearms (iv, 5), right and left extensions (6, 7), when in the aero position, and right and left hands (viii, ix), when upright in the base bar or cow horns.

Time Trial Bike Triathlon Analogy 3 – Tri Bicycle with the "target" connection points highlighted.

Sizing on a TB, nonetheless, probably needs to be more precise than sizing on a road bicycle. The choices, although many in triathlon bike accessories, can exist a bit more limiting in adaptability. A proper bike fit has more than to do with the saddle, handlebars, brake levers and hoods, stem and, most importantly, shoes, cleats, and pedals than the actual frame. Equally long every bit you get the equipment within the target range, you lot tin achieve a proper and efficient wheel fit.

Selling bicycles is the business of a bike or tri shop, and their focus is typically on the bicycle and bicycle frame. This is not necessarily a bad thing. Sometimes bias tin enter the motion picture and hopefully, this does not negatively influence the bike fit. If the shop yous cull to purchase your from is not well versed in fitting (or positioning), we strongly suggest you connect with someone with fitting expertise before your purchase. A good fitting bike may reduce more than fourth dimension in your triathlon than any other adjustment you make (proper training notwithstanding).

Plumbing equipment

Unlike the human torso, bicycles are symmetrical (other than one creepo sometimes being a lilliputian wider from centre than the other). That ways getting the connection points into the target range is only a start to the wheel fit. Non merely do these points need to be in the correct expanse, merely y'all need to fine tune each specific connection. Assessing and fine-tuning the location of the bike function as it meets your trunk is imperative. For example at the hands, just because you may have the correct length and angled stem does not mean yous have the right shape and size of base-bar or elbow residual and extensions, the proper bar tilt/rotation, and/or brake levers and their location on the handlebars. Simply considering yous prepare the cleat fore/aft position does not hateful its rotation, tilt, and stance width are also correct (foot adjustment). The ultimate upshot between the bike and your connection to it–the bicycle basically disappears. One time you lot no longer notice the bike and your focus exists solely on the ride, the scenery and/or company, yous achieved a proficient wheel fit. Similarly, while a triathlete may not intendance about the scenery, their business organisation is speed. When a triathlete no longer notices their wheel, they are experiencing a great bike fit. Don't fight with your wheel! Use your motor to tear upward the course. I guarantee you if your bike "disappears" during your triathlon, the transition to the run will go much more smoothly.

As previously mentioned, the cyclist'southward body contacts the bike at nine points: hands (4), forearms (ii), pelvis (one), and anxiety (ii). The location of the feet, pelvis, forearms and easily dramatically impacts comfort and efficiency on the bicycle. Several pieces of equipment on a wheel are adapted to find your ideal position on your wheel:

Our adjacent ii articles provide detailed explanations on contact points.

Are interested in learning more than? Please come across our next Triathlon and Time Trial Cycle Fitting Commodity: Function two–Pelvis/Saddle Fitting.