Endurance Innovation

Road Bike v Tri Bike

Episode Summary

This week Andrew and Michael debate the question as old as triathlon itself - well maybe as old as triathlon-specific bikes. Do you go road or do you go tri?

Episode Notes

• 2:00 difference between a road bike and triathlon / TT bike
• 11:00 the case for buying a road bike
• 18:40 times to complete a theoretical flat Ironman (180km) course on a road and TT bikes, using 70kg athlete, riding at 210W
  o Typical super TT position (CdA = 0.21) – 4:36:00
  o Typical good TT position (CdA = 0.24) – 4:47:00 or an extra 16W to complete the course in 4:36:00
  o Typical super road position (CdA = 0.27) – 4:58:00 or an extra 33W to complete the course in 4:36:00
  o Typical road position in the drops (CdA = 0.30) – 5:08:00 or an extra 50W to complete the course in 4:36
• 26:20 times to complete a Mont Tremblan Ironman course with the same parameters as above
  o Typical super TT position (CdA = 0.21) – 4:51:00
  o Typical good TT position (CdA = 0.24) – 5:01:00
  o Typical super road position (CdA = 0.27) – 5:09:00
  o Typical road position in the drops (CdA = 0.30) – 5:18:00
  o Typical road position on the hoods (CdA = 0.33) – 5:26:00
• 32:50 the marketing appeal of a tri bike and the convergence of aerodynamic data
• 33:55 the importance of being comfortable in your race position
• 36:15 Andrew and Michael render their verdicts
• 42:20 Road bikes DO NOT inherently climb better than a TT bike
• 43:35 the crossover speed at which sitting up makes more sense than being in aero. Somewhere between 18kph and 25kph.