TT vs Triathlon

Torm3ntoR

I have a little question for you here...

What is the difference between a TT bike and a Triathlon bike. Can u use a TT bike when u do a Triathlon, and the other way around?

best regards from sweden!

/Joakim

PSR

You should be able to use either bike for either event. I don't know if there are any rules in Sweeden that are prohibitive of that, but in the U.S., there aren't really.

The difference, is small - typically, a TT bike will have 700c wheels while the Tri bike will have 650c. That's not necessarily the case any longer as many triathletes are switching back to 700. TT bikes have to have 700c wheels to be UCI legal - but if you're not in a UCI race, you may be able to ride a 650 wheels.

Personally, I would favor the TT bike. The 700c wheels have a slight mechanical advantage to thje 650's, while the 650's are ever so slightly more aerodynamic and may spin up to speed faster. However, the 700's offer a more comfortable ride over longer periods.

Torm3ntoR

Thanks for the answer. It´ll be a TT bile with 700c wheels. Then i can use the wheels i have today.

/Joakim

merubeyurubu

Actually the difference is usually the TT bike has the front end (handlebar) set lower for a more agressive positioning. A Tri bike is a touch more raised at the front so that it is feasible to run after the bike leg... The 650 vs 700 fad seems to be dying out (check out the stats for how bikes were set up this year at Kona) with 700 taking over.

Torm3ntoR

But thats more of an idividual adjustment, there are no rules that says that the bike can´nt be used for both events, or does it??

Ratface

Nope - no rules on the matter. You can even go ahead and use a straightforward road bike if that's what you feel like.

I noticed you're in Gothenburg - I was looking at your training schedule (on your site) and noticed that you don't have any swimming recorded there at the moment. Have you considered joing Triathlon Väst http://www.triathlonvast.nu/ and joining in our some swim training sessions? The club is very active and there are some excellent cyclists around too who could definitely help answer your questions about which bikes are suitable.

I'm usually at the thursday night swim sessions at Åby - so say "Hej!" to the Englishman (Steve) if you're around ;-)

Torm3ntoR

Sounds nice! But i think i´ll go with a TT bike.

I used to race BMX, but after 10 years and 3-4 major crashes. I started with Mountainbike and road. After awhile i got more and more attached to my roadbike. But now i´d like to try some TT and maybe some Triatlon too. So at the moment i dont swin. But i´ve given it a thought every now and then...

I´ve thougt about Triathlon Väst too, I ride for CK Master now. But they only have road and mountain, no triathlon...

Thanks for all help!

Regards
/Joakim