Choosing the right triathlon bike is important because you will spend over half of the race on it. Bikes come in many sizes and shapes and vary greatly in price. If you want a lightweight machine, the price of the bike will increase greatly.

It is important to choose wisely because whatever bike you chose will have an effect on the race. A good bike can shave minutes off your overall time during races.

The following are three things to consider:

1) If you don’t have a bike yet, you need to figure out how much you are going to spend. You can spend a few hundred dollars on a bike, or you can spend $10,000. The majority of first-timers to triathlons will spend an average of $500-1000.

2) You need to choose the bike that will work best for you and your needs. There are many types of bikes that are acceptable to ride in a triathlon. Features, components, and the type of terrain will play a factor in your decision.

3) In order to find the right bike, you need to do your homework. Be sure to test all things; gears, handling, braking, cornering, etc.

A good triathlon bike can help you improve your race time. The reasons are:

Tri Bikes are More Aerodynamic.

A good bicycle helps you deal with wind resistance. The faster you go, the more wind you have to deal with. With a more aerodynamic position, you spend less energy trying to overcome the wind resistance. That translates to better speed. You also save energy for the run.

More Comfortable Riding Position.

Good tri bikes, especially those with aero bars, provides you with a more comfortable ride. The posture is more aerodynamic, allowing you to pedal smoothly and cover more ground quickly. Your elbows can rest on the handlebars and you can recover while your competitors are struggling on their bicycles.

Less Weight to Shift.

Carbon fibre and titanium bikes weigh much less when compared to traditional aluminum bikes. Of course, aluminum bikes are more commonly seen as they cost a lot less. If you have the money to spare, consider buying a full carbon bike. A full carbon bike can weigh 3 to 4 kilos less than a mediocre aluminum bike.

Better Power Transfer.

Triathlon bikes are engineered to transfer the maximum amount of power to the wheels. If you ride a poorly engineered road bike, you notice that much of the power is lost when you pedal. This is often described as “the bike is not very responsive”. High quality road bikes prevent unnecessary energy wastage. As you pedal, the bike surges forward, and that’s what you want to achieve.