Difference between a time trial and tri bike

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by TiMan
What is the difference between a time trial bike and a triathalon bike.

From my understanding, with a time trial bike once the event is over you can get off the bike and recover, with a triathlon bike when you get off the bike you have to run a foot race. Basically it comes down to geometry, and there is a bit of politics/interpretation/understanding/misunderstanding as to what the ideal setup or geometry is. For us mere mortals just getting started in tri's (like I was a couple of years ago but got sidetracked from) there isn't a whole lot of difference. Bikesport in Dearborn MI and the trinewbies.com web sites have some info on the specifics of tri-specific bikes. I don't have the wet site address of the bikesport store handy, but have been in their store several times when in Detroit on business.

Slightly off topic but I watched a tri on OLN for the first time in like 10 years. The bike part rode more like a road race with drafting and pack riding permitted instead of the time-trial like bike portion I remember from many years back. Have the rules changed? This would certainly affect bike choice.

Leif

Yes, the international level/pro tris do draft now, have for about 7 or 8 years.

I'm against that .................. it is an individual race against the clock, there should not be drafting.

As far as the difference in bikes, for the average Joe, there isn't much. For the pros, there is a huge difference. Most pro triathletes use 650c wheels, and push bigger gearing (55 and 56 tooth front chanring). They also push you more forward with the geometry so that you are using more muscled that you use when you run so that getting off the bike for the run isn't an abrupt transition.

Time trialists have a slightly different set up for geometry.