Welcome to the world of triathlons, where the only thing scarier than the swim leg is trying to navigate the sea of triathlon bikes. While it's true that riding the best triathlon bike won't magically turn you into the next Ironman champion, it can certainly help you slice through the air with more finesse than a butter knife through, well, butter.
But before you dive headfirst into the world of tri bikes, let's pump the brakes for a moment. Choosing the right triathlon bike can feel like trying to solve a Rubik's Cube blindfolded – confusing, frustrating, and likely to leave you in a tangled mess. With so many technical terms and options to consider, it's easy to feel like you've stumbled into a Tour de France team meeting by mistake.
Fear not, fellow triathletes! We're here to help you navigate the labyrinth of triathlon bikes and emerge victorious on the other side. From groupsets to wheelsets, we'll break down the jargon and simplify the process so you can focus on what really matters: crossing that finish line with style.
And hey, while you're at it, why not treat yourself to a fancy fitness wearable to track all your triathlon adventures? Check out our guide to the best triathlon watches – because nothing says "I'm a serious athlete" like a watch that can keep up with your multisport lifestyle. Conversely, if you need something less intimidating to ride on, you might want to check out T3's best road bike guide.
With its direct-to-consumer business mode, Canyon continues to offer a massive bang for your buck when it comes to aerodynamically honed TT machines. This bike is light, comfortable, and fast, while offering onboard storage solutions to get you to the finish line.
This tried-and-tested tri bike has been honed and tweaked over the years, so it now offers greater performance without breaking the bank. This year, it also ushers in Shimano's ultra-reliable and smooth-shifting Di2 electronic gearing.
The 105 model might kick-start the range, but this introductory bike still offers a lot of performance for the money. Thanks to a visual overhaul, it also looks fantastic. This bike is race-ready pretty much straight out of the box, equipped with a bento box, downtube bottle, and rear seat hydration mount.
Best triathlon bikes to buy right now
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Best overall
Canyon is famous for providing excellent quality bikes for a very reasonable price, which is true for the Speedmax CF 8.0. The full carbon construction is as light as a feather, with the medium-sized frame weighing only 8.6 kilos. The setup comes complete with a Shimano Ultegra groupset and Mavic Carbon wheels.
Every detail has been taken into account, including the type of saddle used for the Speedmax CF 8.0, to maximise comfort as well as performance. The Fizik Mistica is a triathlon-optimised saddle with a shorter and wider nose and non-slip material on the top so you can ride comfortably for longer. Relatively speaking, of course.
Read our full Canyon Speedmax CF 8.0 review.
Best for storage
Ribble has perfected the full carbon Ultra frameset to provide the least aerodynamic friction possible. This feature will be useful when riding the 56-mile cycling part of the Ironman 70.3 in a headwind. You don't need anything to hold you back more than necessary.
The Ultra Tri groupset has been updated recently and the most affordable model now comes decked out with Shimano's ultra-reliable and smoothing shifting Di2 electronic gearing.
The cockpit is Ribble's own, with bars and the stem designed for the Ribble Ultra Tri. The wheelset has also been improved with Cosmic SL 65 Disc rims with an extra deep profile, complete with very powerful disc brakes in case of emergencies.
Given the thick profile and all the additional storage units on the frame, the Ribble Ultra Tri is slightly susceptible to side wind, but since the bike is very light, it won't affect your riding experience all that much, especially in aggressive riding positions.
Best value
Cervelo is the most popular bike brand among Ironman Kona competitors (external link), and the P-series is one of its more affordable TT bike ranges.
That said, even the cheapest Cervelo P bike, the 105 Disc, will set you back over $4,000, so it's definitely not for people who need a tri bike to use once a year.
The Cervelo P series is designed from the ground up to cater for the needs of all long-distance triathletes: the bike is race-ready pretty much straight out of the box, equipped with a bento box, downtube bottle and a rear seat hydration mount, so you can keep your cycling water bottles on you without compromising on the aero properties of your setup.
Get ready for a bumpy ride, as the P series has increased stiffness at the bottom bracket and overall torsional stiffness compared to its predecessor. Said stiffness will enable you to transform energy to forward momentum more easily: less power wasted on vibration.
Best for comfort
The Felt IA Series won the Ironman World Championship five times out of the last six years, which says a lot about the performance of this series. The firm still offers a 105 version, which kicks off the range, but it now comes with disc brakes for improved stopping power.
However, we've plumped instead for the Ultegra model, simply because 105 is getting a bit long in the tooth now and the little extra spend buys an improved wheelset and a more race-focussed set-up in general - alongside smoother gear shifting.
Styling has been improved for 2024, with the choice of an eye-catching blue Aquafresh design, or a more subtle Desert khaki and grey.
At 9.89kg, it is a little heavier than some rivals on the list, but it comes complete with built-in hydration and storage.
Best for enthusiasts
If money is no object, it's worth looking towards multiple competition winners Trek for some inspiration, particularly its awesome Speed Concept SLR 7 model.
It first arrived on the scene last year and comes in a number of groupset options, but seeing as you are paying a premium for the Trek badge, it's remains a hefty outlay to get to relatively basic Ultegra R8100 levels.
The budget is blown on Trek's 800 Series OCLV Carbon frame, which uses tubes with a Kammtail Virtual Foil shape to help it slice through the air.
Everything has been tweaked and honed for aerodynamics, including the integrated storage in the top tube and the down tube, as well as the Speed Concept cage and bottle, which are as efficient as they come.
Perhaps more important to those dealing with lengthy Iron Man and other gruelling endurance sessions, the Speed Concept SLR 7 also features an elastomer-damped IsoSpeed system in the frame, which acts like a suspension set-up to smooth out imperfections in the road.
How to choose the best triathlon bike for you
Assuming you won't want to break the bank when investing in a new triathlon bike, there will be some compromises you will have to make when picking a tt bike.
Most bike descriptions highlight the type of groupset they use. A groupset is all the parts on the bike that make it move and stop, so all the equipment that transforms the kinetic energy generated by your legs and body to forward momentum (plus the brakes). This includes the crankset, the bracket, brakes, shifters and derailleurs, but even the chain and rear cassette too.
Groupsets you will see most often on time trial bikes are the Shimano 105, the Shimano Ultegra and the Shimano Dura-Ace. Of the three, the 105 is the most 'basic' set, and the Dura-Ace is the most advanced. The 'basic' is in brackets because the 105 is by no means a cheap set, and as with all technology, advancements from higher-end models cascade down to later-year entry-level models, meaning a new Shimano 105 is probably more advanced than a Shimano Ultegra from a few years ago.
Another key factor to take into account is the frame. Many triathlon bikes have aero frames, where 'aero' stands for aerodynamic. This frame type comes from the world of time trials, where they came up with a light but rigid frame composition. Every gram matters in time trial races, and as technology advanced and production costs dropped, aero frames made their way from track courses into the world of triathlon, too, becoming an everyday sight as opposed to being a toy of the top 1% of triathletes.
The wheelset is also crucial when deciding on a setup. These are made out of many different materials, but you would like something light, like carbon, to make the bike even lighter altogether.
FAQ
Are triathlon bikes worth it?
We would argue that a dedicated triathlon bike is mainly worth it for people who take triathlon racing seriously. That said, for longer races, riding on a well-calibrated tt bike can mean the difference and enable you to ride in relative comfort, not to mention other features found only on triathlon bikes such as compartments for food/gels/drinks etc.
What is the difference between TT and triathlon bike?
The primary distinction between a time trial (TT) bike and a triathlon bike lies in their design and intended use. Time trial bikes are engineered for solo races against the clock, prioritising aerodynamics and speed over comfort. They feature aggressive geometry with a steeper seat tube angle, shorter wheelbase, and aerodynamic frame shapes.
In contrast, triathlon bikes are specifically crafted for triathlons, which encompass swimming, cycling, and running. While they also emphasise aerodynamics, triathlon bikes place additional emphasis on rider comfort during longer rides and efficient positioning for smooth transitions between disciplines.
Furthermore, while both types of bikes incorporate aerodynamic frames and components, they may differ in certain features. For instance, triathlon bikes may include additional storage options for nutrition and hydration to support extended rides without the need for dismounting.