How to choose a bike for triathlon

Among lovers of active lifestyle and sports, triathlon holds a special, honorable place. This discipline is an all-around, in which competitors are forced to show themselves in various exercises - running, swimming, and cycling. The latter is distinguished by maximum entertainment, not yielding to this criterion the world-famous races ala "Tour de France". During competitions racers are able to reach speeds of up to 100 kilometers per hour, and therefore special, very specific requirements are imposed on the bike used for these “riders”, because how far every bike can handle such loads with maximum efficiency.

Triathlon bike selection videos

Which triathlon bike should you prefer? Top manufacturers

Since a veloetap in a triathlon almost always involves traveling at maximum speed, the choice of an “iron horse” for such purposes requires a special approach. Road bikes are the most suitable class of transport for these purposes - only they allow you to develop the necessary speed. It is for this reason that the best manufacturers of triathlon bikes are:

1. Scott;

2. Cube;

3. Trek;

4. Merida;

5. Giant;

In the product range of each of the above manufacturers, there are models that are positioned exclusively for triathlon. These are highly specialized bikes, the lot of which is sports events of a similar sense, and they are practically unsuitable for everyday use.

Main selection criteria

When choosing a bike for triathlon, it is necessary to remember the basic requirement that is placed on it - the ability to reach maximum speed and maintain it for a long time. This is achieved only in the case when the bike has a light and weightless frame, large and rolling wheels, as well as an advanced transmission that maximizes the torque transmitted to the rear wheel. The second characteristic is the effectiveness of braking: given the extremely high speeds, the athlete should be able to stop the bike if necessary, while avoiding injury and even death.

1. Bike frame must have maximum rigidity and strength with minimum weight. Classical steel frames for such a purpose are not used; frames made of titanium or carbon fiber are considered to be the best. A certain budgetary alternative to the above materials is aviation aluminum — a strong and lightweight metal that can withstand considerable dynamic loads;

2. Steering wheel It has a classic form for all “road workers” and is the so-called “ram horns”, providing maximum aerodynamics;

3. Of great importance in driving efficiency are wheels. The bikes that are most suitable for triathlon are equipped with lightweight aerodynamic wheels made of titanium or carbon, and the tires installed on them have a tread and parameters similar to those used on racing cars;

4. An important design of a bike for triathlon is the so-called "Loungers" - Special design elements designed for convenient placement of the rider on the bike. Sun beds should have an ergonomic shape and have a wide range of adjustments;

5. Pedals It has a special design and implies a rigid fixation of the pedals to the bicycle boots. Some manufacturers have gone even further: for their models, they produce bicycle shoes with integrated attachments to the pedal assembly - in fact, the pedals and shoes in this case are a single whole;

6. Brake system, given the high speed of movement of the athlete, has a special design. The brakes used in triathlon have not a disk, but a rim structure. In conditions of high speeds and the almost complete absence of adverse factors, this design shows maximum efficiency and can quickly stop the bike, regardless of its initial speed.

7. Saddle these bikes have a special, rigid and short construction. Unlike all other models, in this case the saddle is not the only point of support for the body (there are still sun beds), but it is necessary to pay close attention to it. There is no point in advising anything here because of the individuality of the anatomy of each of us. The best advice that experienced athletes give is to go to the store and choose the model that suits you best from the variety of products.

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