Having gotten into triathlon this year, I approach it with the ‘know-what-you-don’t know’ philosophy as there simply is so much to learn, especially when it comes to the biking component of the sport.
To my good fortune, I recently caught up with my friend Jason Pearlman – who is the most knowledgeable biking enthusiast that I know – about what exactly constitutes a good triathlon bike, what kind of gear to acquire, and how to make the most out of the sport.
“First and foremost, the athlete should be in the best possible shape and have undergone the necessary training before entering a race,” Pearlman explains. He also recommends a road bike for anyone entering the sport as one does not need to spend $20,000 on a triathlon bike. “If you want to compete for a top 10 position within Kona, then you need the $20,000 bike,” a reference he is making to the annual Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. It is, of course, also the most prestigious – and oldest – Ironman championship in the world, which started in 1978.
But for the aspiring triathlete, once he or she has acquired a road bike, Pearlman recommends installing the tri bars, a water battle cage at the back as well as clip-on pedals. “The clip-on pedals change the game, but one might also want to consider an aerodynamic tri suit and helmet. The combination of being in the best possible shape and having the right bike and gear will ultimately determine what kind of an experience one will have.” At the same time, the Silver Spring, Maryland-based biking enthusiast stresses that one does have to make the right choices about what kind of gear to acquire within a budget.
He also recommends selecting clothes – as well as a helmet – that are “as tight as possible,” from front to back, which are also as aerodynamic as possible. “This is what one needs when facing the wind. This is where one wants to invest his/her money,” Pearlman says.
Next, Pearlman recommends paying the local bike shop a visit for a fitting where one will be placed on his/her bike and the necessary adjustments will be made to make the riding experience as aerodynamic as possible. Adding clip-on pedals and bike shoes will also enhance the ride and increase speed.
The clip-on pedal technology evolved from ski-binding, which has since the mid-1980s been applied to the tri bike. The technology has also enhanced safety, Pearlman says while explaining that the rider simply has to flick one’s heel to the side to detach. “The clip-on pedal makes a huge difference because when applying pressure to the peddle, one is able to peddle 360 degrees. Having that connection to the pedal and bike will allow one to increase speed, which will be amplified with the right outfit and helmet.”
Once the athlete has acquired a bike and the necessary equipment, improvement will be generated by a combination of training and efficiency. “A good biking experience is about technique and listening to one’s body.” To draw home his point, Pearlman refers to the pro-riders whose smooth rides are determined by technique, clip-on pedals and the right outfit which generates the ideal combination for maximizing aerodynamics. Pearlman also recommends keeping a training journal, including weather conditions. “Once one has completed somewhere between five to ten triathlons, one can analyze the date and make improvements accordingly.”
Patrick Lange, 38, of Germany won the 2024 Ironman World Championship at Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Photo credit: Ironman.
The evolution of the triathlon bike
Within the broader biking community, the road bikes are regulated by The Union Cycliste Internationale(UCI), which requires manufacturers to conform to certain specifications. Triathlon bikes are, however, not regulated by the UCI, Pearlman explains. “There is a big difference between a criterium bike, a road and racing bike, and a cyclocross bike. They are built and designed for the style of riding, who the riders are, and what they are doing.”
When it comes to the triathlon bike, it is built differently because it is not meant for technical racing. “A triathlon bike is not built for diving into corners or attacking short sharp hills, kear pier and descents for riding. Instead, a triathlon ride is much more of a straightforward ride”
Once the athlete comes out of the water, Pearlman prefaces, he/she wants to get on the bike in a position that is aerodynamic but not physically straining given that it is followed by a run, which could either be a half or full marathon depending on the type of a race.
“For example, if one is looking at the aero position of a tambour road bike and a triathlon rider, the idea is to get very narrow up front, using the tri bars. A road racing tambour is placed much lower in his road racing position. Whereas a triathlete sits a little higher.”
A triathlete also wants to be positioned on the bike where one is able to save the legs for the subsequent run. “For a road racing tambour, in contrast, once he/she is done, the race is over and one is free to fall off the bike and hyperventilate,” Pearlman explains. For the triathlete, however, the race continues which is why he/she needs to get off the bike a little bit differently.
Biking enthusiast Jason Pearlman of Silver Spring, Maryland. Photo credit: Courtesy.
Geometry
The geometry of the triathlon bike is different, including the frame. “The seating, the handlebar, and the wheels all come into play in terms of how one can keep the rider rested. The evolution of the triathlon bike continued with Scott Sports developing handlebars, which eventually would become known as the Scott DH handlebars.
The Scott Sports company had initially manufactured skiing equipment but began focusing on developing technology meant to optimize triathlon racing. Next, came the shoes and the pedals. “When the athlete comes out of the water from a swim, the idea is to have the shoes ready on the pedals so that he/she can just slip his/her feet in and adjust them with the overall goal of minimizing the transition time as much as possible. Eventually, Scott Sports made improvements as specific as possible to meet the physical demands of triathlon.”
Triathlon as an American subculture
Within the world of cycling, triathlon is a niche. “It is its own thing,” Pearlman says while pointing out that most people who are tangentially familiar with biking “only think about Tour de France, but don’t know any other races. While triathlon has made its way into the Olympics, which in turn has made the sport more popular, one has to look for it. But once one does, he/she will quickly discover the whole community built around it.”
The original Ironman, as we have mentioned, originates in Kona, Hawaii, and entails a 2.5-miles swim followed by a 112-mile bike ride and a full-marathon (26.2 miles). Commenting on what type of person is capable of completing it, Pearlman points out that the triathlon top pros can do it, as well as those who train for it, as well as top amateurs. “What we’re seeing is that every year, the athletes become faster and faster.” At the same time, not every triathlete aspires to compete in an ironman but rather prefers shorter distances, including the sprint triathlon, which I completed twice this year.
Some Americans enter the sport as part of a professional challenge while others come from distinct disciplines such as swimming, running or biking. “It is not uncommon for ‘retired’ road racers to join the triathlon,” Pearlman explains. While others may even show up with the bike that he/she has and give it a try.
Triathlon is a racing sport, which is either practiced in the countryside by the athletes themselves or if one is new to the sport, pro-bike shops often organize group rides on the weekend where triathletes can join.
