| Fitness and strength are the main factors that | | | | in exchange for speed. This is the fundamental |
| influence a triathlete's performance but equipment is | | | | difference between triathlon bikes and road bikes. The |
| the next key area where improvements can be made. | | | | shorter the distance of the triathlon cycle, the more |
| You will obviously complete a distance faster on a | | | | weight and aerodynamics will come into play. For a |
| specialized triathlon bicycle than you would on a store | | | | sprint triathlon, 20k, comfort is far less a factor than for |
| discount, non-specific racing bike. A triathlon specific | | | | an Ironman distance as for the Ironman, comfort |
| bike will make any triathlete, regardless of their level, | | | | becomes paramount to continual optimal |
| faster. Money wise however, you will need to invest | | | | performances over long periods of time. When looking |
| more on your triathlon bike. On average, the power | | | | for a triathlon bicycle, consider the distances you will be |
| produced to pedal a bike on a flat road is 60% rider | | | | competing in and correlate this with the budget you |
| drag. This is, obviously, where the biggest performance | | | | have available. I highly recommend that, if your budget |
| gains can be achieved. If you are serious about | | | | is tight, you consider purchasing a used triathlon bike. |
| triathlon, you need to be selecting the best, most | | | | They are normally well looked after and cared for and |
| efficient equipment that you can afford for your | | | | normally only for sale by an experienced triathlete who |
| triathlon cycling needs. | | | | is upgrading so as to compete in longer events. A |
| Road bikes are generally designed for comfort to | | | | general assumption can be made that if a person is |
| allow a cyclist to compete over long distances. The | | | | disciplined and driven enough to train for and compete |
| triathlon cycle is generally over a shorter distance | | | | in a triathlon, will take meticulous care of their triathlon |
| (relatively) and so some comfort can be compromised | | | | bike. |