Triathlon bike

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Triathlon bike
Triathlon bike at Ironman Hawaii 2006
Ivan Basso on a time trial bike in the 2005 Tour de France

A triathlon is a specifically for the triathlon developed bike type . Since there is often a so-called slipstream ban in triathlon, i. H. the participants are not allowed to drive close behind each other, but must keep a certain minimum distance (usually ten meters) if the air resistance of the overall construction of a triathlon bike is as low as possible. Triathlon bikes are a bit heavier compared to pure racing bikes, but more aerodynamic, which more than outweighs the disadvantage of the slightly higher weight.

Construction

A horn-shaped handlebar is used for flat stretches. It is provided with a forward-facing attachment on which the elbows and forearms rest. In addition to the very flat, aerodynamic sitting posture, this has the advantage that the upper arms can relax a little after swimming. The switch levers are located at the front end of the attachment so that you can switch to the aero position. If an electronic switching group is used, it is possible to attach switch buttons both on the handlebar attachment and on the basic handlebar. If the handlebar attachment is equipped with an appropriate drinking system, you can also drink in the aero position without having to leave it. The brake levers, however, are attached to the handlebars. The wheels are often particularly aerodynamically shaped (e.g. with high profile rims, disc wheels and so-called trispokes ). Some of the front brakes (e.g. Cervélo P5) are integrated into the front fork or are attached behind it.

Cube Aerium C62

At 76 to 78 degrees, the seat tube angle is slightly steeper than on a racing bike , so that the thighs don't hit the upper body when pedaling. This position should put less strain on the muscles for the subsequent run. The rear end is very short. This is why 26 "wheels were originally used. In the meantime, you will mainly find triathlon bikes with 28" wheels such as racing bikes (for normal-sized men). This geometry makes such a wheel z. B. to ride top-heavy and more demanding compared to a racing bike.

The difference in height between the handlebars and the saddle is usually very large on triathlon bikes, sometimes more than 10 cm, although the extreme position popular in the mid / late 1990s is no longer common. For the use of a triathlon bike in competitions without slipstream clearance, the following guidelines apply to a triathlon bike according to the German Triathlon Union :

  • Front and rear wheels must be the same size. Disc wheels are only allowed at the rear and must be load-bearing.
  • The handlebar extension must not be open to the front.
  • The bike must each have a fully functional, independently operated front and rear brake.
  • The brake levers must protrude backwards.
  • The bike can be a maximum of two meters long. The distance from the floor to the rear axle must be at least 24 cm.
  • Any form of wind deflector is prohibited.
  • All "non-traditional" constructions are generally prohibited unless they are approved by the race director before the race.
  • The minimum weight of 6.8 kg specified by the UCI does not exist in triathlon.

The following changes result for competitions with slipstream clearance:

  • Disc wheels are not allowed
  • The handlebar attachment must be closed / bridged towards the front and must not protrude over the brake levers.
  • Only classic racing bike handlebars may be used.
  • The wheel must have a traditional triangular frame made of three straight or inclined tubes.

Professional and semi-professional triathlon bikes weigh approx. 7 to 9 kg.

Triathlon bikes are similar to the time trial machines in the time trial . The geometry of the time trial machines is more restricted by UCI regulations . That's why only 27 "or 28" wheels are used and the seat angle is not as steep as on a triathlon bike.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ German Triathlon Union e. V. AG: Rules of the German Triathlon Union e. V. - Sports regulations . In: dtu-info.de . January 31, 2016. Accessed January 31, 2016.