Top 9 Triathlon Bikes In 2023
Bicycle racing and triathlon bikes are distinct entities in the world of cycling. This article will give you a comprehensive overview of triathlon bikes, as well as introduce some of the top models to keep an eye on in 2023.
Triathlon bikes are nearly identical to time trial (TT) bikes, and their design and the positioning of the cyclist have clearly defined frame characteristics. The most distinguishing aspect is the slope of the seat tube angle which propels athletes into a position that is more active and streamlined.
Many triathlon bikes have a seat adjusted slightly higher, providing a wide hip angle in addition to a flat and aerodynamic posture. A triathlon bike can help increase your aerodynamic abilities, but it can also help you to run better following the bike ride due to boosting your biomechanical processes.
The technology behind triathlon bikes is constantly evolving. Manufacturers are dedicated to expanding their knowledge and innovation, creating bicycles which are quicker, more aerodynamic, and more soothing for triathletes.
This leads to world records being rewritten every few years. On the most expeditious Ironman courses, the top bike times can be faster than a mean velocity of 27 mph / 44 kph. It’s increasingly typical to observe completion times for Ironman that are shorter than 8 hours, which generally depend on a swift and cost-effective biking section.
The availability of cutting-edge bicycling technology to both newcomers to the sport and amateur triathletes is one of the great things about taking part in a triathlon. This means that all participants have the same opportunities to use the same advanced gear that professional triathletes use.
1. Felt B Triathlon Bike
The Felt S32, B16, and B12 models were some of the original pioneering bikes in the late 2000s. The B model has been a fixture in Felt’s collection of triathlon bicycles for a considerable length of time and can be purchased for amounts under £2,450 (with some options costing even less than £1,650).
Jump to the present and Felt continues to construct bicycles based on the legendary “B” sequence. The bike has undergone a recent make-over to include a full carbon frame with the aerodynamic shaping taken from the superior and six-time champion of the Kona race IA lineup.
This bike has traditional rim brakes and a top-of-the-line Shimano Ultegra gear system, making it an excellent pick for triathletes of all skill levels. It combines good value with excellent performance.
B brings together elements of the time-honoured B12 and B16 designs while utilizing elements of Felt’s highest-performing IA model and iconic DA framework. B is a product of years of research in aerodynamics.
In contrast to the complexity of today’s tri bikes, Felt’s B Bike has preserved its straightforward appearance while remaining one that does not lack in terms of functioning. The incorporation of an efficient air-flow design for the downtube, along with the advanced TeXtreme carbon components, combine to create an exceptional bike that cannot be matched for its cost.
The weight of the bike is 20 lbs, and it is built with a carbon frame and fork as the foundation. This bicycle features components from Shimano Ultegra and can be changed to electronic changing.
The Felt B triathlon bike starts at £1900.
2. A2 Speed Phreak
A2’s Speed Phreak can be acquired for an affordable price under £1,650 and is renowned for its physical lightness, secure turning and rapid acceleration.
The Speed Phreak is designed for fast bike riding, with a low baseball that allows the rider to be in an aerodynamic position and set PRs (Personal Records). Going up may feel uncommon with low bottom bars, yet it can likewise be useful for quickening in a standing position and rushes.
Despite its economical cost and its emphasis on purchasing directly from the manufacturer, Speed Phreak is an exceptional carbon frame bike that is well prepared for even the most advanced sportsperson.
Triathletes who are considering buying their first triathlon bicycle should take a closer look at Speed Phreak, as it provides them with an optimal way to reach their peak performance while ensuring they make a long-term investment. It is an ideal beginning for enhancing performance and making personal changes in the future.
The Speed Phreak is an ideal time trial bike for triathlons and other brief races, with a firm, responsive feel and sleek aerodynamics. For £1,550, the Ultegra 105 version is one of several more luxurious options.
3. Cervélo P-series
The new P-series from Cervélo builds upon the P2 and P3 time trial bikes which were highly acclaimed, presenting a slimmer, stiffer, and more aerodynamically-designed choice.
The Cervélo P-series triathlon bikes create a perfect combination of quickness and ease. Athletes can make use of maximum energy transfer and extremely agile manoeuvrability, while simultaneously feeling comfortable and relaxed during extensive rides.
Drawing on the rich tradition of the Cervélo P2 and P3, the P-series triathlon bike incorporates streamlined aerodynamics and improved air efficiency. It showcases some of the same characteristics as the top-of-the-line P5X, a must-have for long-distance racing.
The lengthened bicycle tube opening, a characteristic found in Cervélo P-series bikes, provides a buffer to the front of the rear tire to increase aerodynamic performance. The Cervélo P-series melds together performance and value with a 100% carbon frame, tapered P fork and seat post.
The P-series has several options, the least expensive being the Ultegra 105 for £2,600.
4. Quintana Roo PR four
Quintana Roo is renowned in the world of triathlons. The company is credited with having created the first bike specifically designed for triathlons in 1987.
The series is one of the highest expressions of the inventive breakthrough of QR in-time trial bicycle technology. QR provides high-quality tricycles from the four to the PRsix, giving riders at any experience level their pick of the best.
The PRsix utilizes a sturdy, lightweight carbon configuration, which makes it more rigid than the four and five. The cost of this model varies between £3,260 and more than £4,900, depending on its features.
At the lower cost of £2,450, the four is a triathlon bicycle which offers full-fledged racing performance. The bike is equipped with disc brakes, a space to store things on the top tube, components from Shimano 105, and a variety of different colours for the frame.
In addition to crafting gorgeous tri bikes, Quintana Roo enjoys a good status based on their customer service and their widespread recognition for their top-notch bicycles.
The Quintana Roo PR four can be bought at a price tag of approximately £2,450.
5. Giant Trinity Advanced
The Giant Trinity Advanced is a supremely dependable and carefully evaluated triathlon bicycle that won’t cost a fortune.
The Giant Trinity frame has been designed with optimized aerodynamic geometry and a range of adjustable features that make it perfect for triathlon athletes of all sizes.
Trinity Advanced gives you the option to modify their contact base bar to get exactly the correct position that would provide the most comfort and effectiveness. The Giant company has created a storage unit labelled the AeroVault system which provides integrated food storage.
This frame is made out of “Advanced-grade composite materials,” which is a type of carbon composite that gives high rigidity with low weight, so you get top performance without spending a lot of money.
Trinity Advanced has been designed to utilize AeroSystem Shaping Technology from Giant, which reduces air resistance and optimizes the aerodynamic performance no matter the wind direction.
The Giant Trinity Advanced has a base price of £2,050 and is equipped with Shimano 105 components.
6. Argon E-117 Tri Disc
At first glance, Argon’s changes to the E-117 series might not seem noteworthy, however, after taking a closer look, it is clear that there are plenty of enhancements that Argon has made that were not included in their line previously.
The E-118 Tri+ was their most current disc design, characterized by being incredibly light, incredibly dynamic, and somewhat too speedy for people covering long distances.
The E-117 Disc is an excellent option that would work for any rider, regardless of ability or distance. We discovered the ride to be steady and calm throughout most of the bumps, except for the largest ones, and not as sharply responsive during turns which were to everyone’s advantage.
Despite not possessing the same degree of reliability as the Ventim One or Trek Speed Concept, this version is ideal for long-distance racing, unlike its predecessors.
For the price of six thousand dollars, you would be getting an excellent deal for a mountain bike with hydraulic disc brakes and eTap components. Plus, being available in six different sizes, you will be sure to get a bike that is just the right size and comfortable for you, even if your body size fluctuates.
The fork has a typical 1 1/8″ steerer tube, allowing you to pick any stem/bar combination to enhance the taste of your bike.
It is clear that a “superbike” type of front end is not in place; however, the upside to this is that product maintenance and compatibility are more common than they are typically now.
In conclusion, the eTap build is good value, but the ultimate set-up is the Force 22 build at £2,950. That is a great price tag for such a versatile frame.
7. Trek Speed Concept SLR 7 Gen 3
After a substantial wait, Trek incorporated disc brakes into their popular Speed Concept series of triathlon cycles.
They were successful in executing the plan, and they threw in some extra features to make it worth waiting for, but if you want to buy the new Speed Concept bike, you will have to spend a minimum of £7.5k.
Very similar to its older editions, the Speed Concept has been crafted by Trek to be solid, steady, and nearly perfect for triathlon biking, making it hard to identify any blemishes.
The most fascinating attribute of this new model is the IsoSpeed coupler/suspension set-up which subdues mid-range and higher road trembles.
It has been common on Trek’s road bikes for quite some time, but the outcome hasn’t been consistent. Strangely, it has been absent from the tri-line, which is where it could be most useful.
It was a promising first effort, but without any way to make modifications or tweak the experience, it can vary from person to person.
We were expecting the bike to be quite smooth, however, we were still shocked when we encountered larger bumps that made us less comfortable in the exceptionally solid and connected control centre.
We were thrilled with the water bottle holder that was built into the down tube, as well as the concealed tool compartment. We felt great while putting in a strong effort while in the aero bars, as well as when we had to stand up and make our way up hills.
8. A2 Bikes SP1.2
A2 Bikes started with the objective to avoid the use of a go-between and linking triathletes intimately with foreign bike producers. It was considered groundbreaking to have a direct sales approach at the time.
Nowadays, a multitude of companies are bypassing the bike shop; a few, such as A2, have low levels of marketing and minimal overhead to lower their expense costs as much as possible.
The initial offering from A2, which was called the Speed Phreak, was decent despite not being the most precise in terms of stability, performance, and adjustability. The encouraging news about the SP1.x series is that A2 has resolved the majority of issues, whilst also maintaining an affordable cost.
A bike with a hydraulic disc brake and some good parts can be purchased for less than £3,260 using the SP1.2. Regarding the ride, this updated motorcycle offers a much smoother journey than the initial version and has much better customizability, especially when considering that it was designed to fit in the superbike class.
Despite being satisfied with the ride stability, we had difficulty with manoeuvring as the frame felt unsteady while we conducted the tests. It could be that this was just something that happened in an early version, but it still occurred.
The bike has notable aerodynamic features, attributed to the design of Kevin Quan and his team; this same team is also responsible for the distinct Diamondback Andean.
This bike also has a mount to hold water bottles on the frame, features on the top tube to store food and fuel, and a special place on the rear seat tube for a Bontrager Speed Box.
9. Ventum One
For the last few years, Ventum has worked to make adjustments to their series of triathlon bikes – beginning with their highly extravagant and impressive One model which was incredibly popular despite its extravagant £23,650 price tag, to the more reasonably priced and competent Z bike, until they eventually returned to a different version of the One model that incorporates disc brakes.
As Diamond brand competitors lose their grip on the market and Cervelo’s P5X remains unaffordable for many, Ventum’s One is a sensible choice for those seeking an aerodynamic bike that is not recognized by UCI.
Examining the specs closely, one can notice that the new One isn’t any lighter than the prior variation, and has even gained a pound over the previously rim-braked Z model, even with all of the hydration equipment taken out.
You shouldn’t worry: this bicycle is intended for riding on flat to slightly hilly terrain, and if there is an especially strong side wind, then that is all the more beneficial. This bicycle setup provides a comfortable experience, and it is equipped with the most user-friendly and streamlined hydration system that we have tried.
The hydration system is cleverly placed inside the top tube, creating a frame that is quicker when the hydration system is equipped. Additionally, extra flat storage is located underneath the spacious hydration section.
In addition, the shape of the front of the bike has been altered in the same manner as other companies (Orbea, top-tier Cervelo’s, Canyon, and so on) so that the aero bars can be set up without issue, and there is still sufficient room for a water bottle holder (which some of the brands mentioned do not possess).
The brakes don’t distract from the look of the bike, the front fork is really wide, and you won’t come first in a race on this type of frame, but you’ll still be able to complete the bike section quicker and get off your bike without as much soreness caused by the ride and the wind.
