Choosing the right bike is crucial for a successful triathlon. Triathlon bikes are designed for speed and have an aggressive riding position, while road bikes are more comfortable. Time trial bikes are a middle ground. Adding aero wheels can improve any bike but may sacrifice stability.
Cycling is an important component of a triathlon, so choosing a good bike from the myriad of triathlon bikes on the market can mean the difference between a fast and comfortable experience, and a miserable day on the bike. Many triathletes choose bikes that are made specifically for triathlons, while others choose a road bike and modify it to suit their needs. Still others may choose a time trial bike, which is similar to a triathlon bike in many ways. Budget and experience will often dictate what type of bike a triathlete uses.
Triathletes generally choose speed over comfort, so triathlon bikes are made to go fast. They have a short wheelbase and a more aggressive riding position than regular road bikes, offering a more comfortable riding position and a longer wheelbase. A normal road bike is made to go moderately fast over a long period of time, so the rider will sit in a less aggressive riding position most of the time; The handlebars are designed to allow the rider to change the riding position when the occasion calls for it. Triathlon bikes only have two riding positions: aggressive and more aggressive.
The handlebars on a triathlon bike put the rider in an aerodynamic position so they can go fast during the cycling portion of the race. Advanced cyclists will want to choose a triathlon-specific bike for its aerodynamic properties, while a beginning triathlete may opt for the more comfortable road bike. Somewhere in between these two options is the time trial bike, which is not as aggressive as a triathlon bike, but not as upright and comfortable as a regular road bike. A time trial bike will be heavier than a triathlon bike and will generally have more equipment options.
One way to improve any of the aforementioned bike options is to add aero wheels to the bike. Such wheels are often lightweight, being made from strong but lightweight materials such as carbon. They are made to be as aerodynamic as possible, which means some stability and steerability are sacrificed. The rear wheel is often a disc wheel, which means there are no openings in the wheel for air to pass through. This wheel reduces drag and allows the rider to go faster, but it can be problematic in windy conditions.
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