Triathlon Bike Fit Vs Road Bike Fit

Do you get a road bike with clip-on aero bars or a fully-fledged triathlon bike. Is it worth the investment, or can you get a lot out of your road bike? Well, with the expert help of Phil Burt, we will be weighing those options up, and how you go about setting their positions up!
A special thanks to Phil Burt for helping us with this video. Check out more from Phil here 👉 gtn.io/PhilBurtInnovation
Welcome 0:00
The conundrum 0:19
Road bike pros & cons 1:05
Checking Mark's road bike position 3:06
Closed hip angle 3:50
Running position tests 5:35
Adjustments to the road bike position 7:19
Extra changes 9:00
Swapping to a TT bike 9:57
Extended knee angle 10:30
Neck pain and comfort 11:15
Key things to look out for 12:20
When should you get a triathlon bike? 14:07
Useful Links
Submit your Photo and Video to us 👉 gtn.io/UPLOAD
Check out the GTN Shop 👉 gtn.io/TeamKit
GTN Training Plans 👉 gcn.eu/gtntp
Watch more on GTN...
📹 Triathlon Bike Fit: How To Balance Aero and Comfort! 👉 • Triathlon Bike Fit: Ho...
📹 Watch our Editor’s Choice Playlist 👉 gtn.io/editorschoice
📹 Watch our weekly show, The GTN Show 👉 gtn.io/GTNshowPlaylist
Photos: © Triathlon / Getty Images
🎵 Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound / Artlist 🎵
High Tech - Rocket Jr
Hip Hop Pro - Pro Reese
Dormancy - Senchi
Don't Turn Off The Lights - oomiee
October Leaf - Mar Ve
#gtn #triathlon #swimbikerun #swim #bike #run
The Global Triathlon Network (GTN) is the world's biggest triathlon KZbin channel, with new videos every day! GTN is for anyone who loves triathlon: from seasoned triathletes to first-timers - and everyone in between!
With the help of our former pro and Olympic medal-winning team, we’re here to inform, entertain and inspire you to become a better triathlete; including videos on:
- How to swim, bike, and run faster with expert knowledge
- Try our session ideas
- Investigations into wide-ranging topics
- The best triathlon bike tech and gear with pro-know-how
- In-depth, entertaining features from the heart of the sport
- Chat, opinion and interact with us across the channel and on social media!
Join us on KZbin’s best triathlon channel to get closer to the sport and to become a better, faster and fitter triathlete!
Welcome to the Global Triathlon Network.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Canyon bikes: gtn.io/canyon-bikes
Ergon: gtn.io/Ergon
THEMAGIC5: gtn.io/TheMagic5
ON Running: gtn.io/On-Running
Orca: gtn.io/Orca
Park Tool: gtn.io/parktool
Precision Fuel & Hydration: gtn.io/PrecisionHydration
Surpas: gtn.io/Surpas
Truekinetix: gtn.io/Truekinetix
Zwift: gtn.io/zwift
Watch our sister channels:
Global Cycling Network - / @gcn
GCN Tech - / @gcntech
GCN Racing - / @gcnracing
GCN Italia - / @gcnitalia
GCN en Espanol - / @gcnenespanol
GCN auf Deutsch - / @gcnaufdeutsch
GCN en Francais - / @gcnenfrancais
GCN Training - / @gcntraining
Global Mountain Bike Network - / @gmbn
GMBN Racing - / @gmbnracing
GMBN Tech - / @gmbntech
Electric Mountain Bike Network - / @embn

[@gtn]

Do you use a triathlon bike or a road bike? 💨

[@Thezuule1]

Both. I ride alone most of the time and could probably have gotten away with just the TT bike but a San Remo 76 fell in my lap for a price I couldn't say no to. It's a bit more comfortable for longer rides and on the off chance there's a group thing going on I feel better showing up with a proper road bike instead of the TT.

[@naali2769]

i use roadbike and im just wondering should i buy tri bike. I do have clip-ons, and this video was good for those settings that i have thought, but im not sure the amount how mutch i should tune my road settings to aquire good and safe position for my knees etc.

[@shuonanzhao6395]

@@naali2769a tt bike puts you much more forward position and makes the TT position much easier to be in. If, however, you are very flexible, then a road bike is sufficient.

[@iangowler9070]

Road bike, really can't afford a 2nd bike. Money no object i'd have one though

[@PoulHansenDK]

Both but not a roadbike with extensions, never have. I bought a cheap TT bike as these guys always want the newest and sell the Older(2-3 years) bikes.

[@richardblom4358]

I like my pig with lipstick! ❤🐷 As an amature I am not paying 5 figures for a tt bike (for maybe 5 races per year). A roadbike with clipon aerobars is much more versatile.

[@Microbit0]

5 races??? And your training and the weekend fast road trips?

[@joeduffy3884]

How much difference would the same person gain over 20k on a TT bike to a roadbike with good clip-on aerobars and good position??

[@Microbit0]

@joeduffy3884 If there was not much of a difference, cyclists wouldn't use them during the time trials.

[@overcookit1433]

It is not necessary to buy either a new TT bike or a TT bike equipped with top-class components, simply buy an used and/or cheaper one, the main advantage results from the far more aerodynamic body position. I ride the whole year in tt position, my body seems to be so adapted to the TT position that each time I ride with a normal racing bike, I am far slower, and it seems I cannot produce the same power as on my tt bikes, which are actually based on racing bike frames (one is a Giant cadex CFR, one is a Giant CFR Expert Series), but with the saddle only about 2cm behind a vertical line through the bottom bracket, and the armrests about 21cm below the saddle (due to adjustable stems in a -45° angle). If you only switch to a tt bike on the race day, you would anyway never be able to make full use of the potential of a TT bike.

[@joeduffy3884]

@Microbit0 I appreciate that. But I'm not spending 10k+ on a really good TT bike and save myself UPTO 5 seconds on a 20k sprint Triathlon. That trade off is worth it for TDF but not for me.

[@mattbarrett7369]

So much common sense in this vid. A lot of fitters go totally by numbers. It's nice to see someone with Phil's credentials taking 'feel' into account. Thanks for sharing this!

[@arturoarino]

amazing info thank you!!

[@user-ny3ey4dr6p]

Really good information in this article. I’ve gone through the same journey from road bike, to clip ons, to tt bike and exactly as I did it, with the help and guidance from a good bike fit guru.

[@RALR84]

Great video! This year im going for my second bike fitting (doing triathlons 9 years now) and no doubt being comfortable will be the goal. Doing my first IM this year and i guess that's what it takes over an aggressive position!

[@oliverleahy505]

Hi Mark, I bought the Control Tech Falcon mini bars with stem mount for my Aeroad (2023). However the clamp does not fit around the stem (not wide enough). Did you guys do something different?

[@nicocsanyi3578]

Did you fix it?

[@neilb679]

Great Advice !

[@AlvaroSouzadesign]

Thanks for this video! Amazing content!!

[@gtn]

Glad it was helpful!

[@philipjackson1589]

This is a really timely video for me. I'm new to triathlon , first one booked on my 51st birthday ( one of the beginner ones ). I've been looking at aero bars and after watching this I'll give them a miss for a while Love these video's that you guys are putting out. Keep up the fantastic work.

[@gtn]

Thanks! Which race have you entered? 👏

[@paulsslightlyactivelife]

Same. Now I'm wondering whether I'll get more out of the race just using the road bike hoods/drops that I'm used to.

[@Thezuule1]

@@paulsslightlyactivelife without practice on a TT bike a skilled road bike rider is likely more aero riding what they already know. Beyond that it's likely a more comfortable position for you. Being aero half the time because you can't stay in the position without being uncomfortable and looking up all the time and such isn't helpful.

[@mattjoiner7311]

Great video! Add me to the list wanting to know how you got clip-ons on the Aeroad!

[@marksmith6007]

ControlTech

[@gtn]

What Mark said ☝

[@glenmcfarlane]

I like a lot of what he had to say but the biggest benefit of the aero bars on the road bike is I can stay low for much longer. I will have another look at hip position. I did have a proper/qualified bike fit from a pro and it made a huge difference. Now I need to do the same for the TT I just bought. 😂

[@overcookit1433]

It depends on the road bike - this year I have got my to a TT bike converted Giant Cadex CFR for exaclty 20 years, on which I developed step by step the american position, and it fits me like it was custom made for me, but last year I tried to turn up the clip-on bar to achieve the praying-mantis position. By doing so, the before quite stable handling of the bike became rather unstable and difficult to control, so this seems I approached the limits of what is technically feasible. On a flat course with barely wind, it would work, but as I at least in summer I have some fast descends where I ride (last year my record was 58 mph), so I definetly would have to buy a real TT bike to become faster.

[@TravisB1554]

Would like to see you do a course on both bikes and hold a consistent power and let us know the difference.

[@brendann8208]

what aero bars are on the aeroad? I've been searching for a compatible set

[@yannickhefti1770]

Same here.. Would much apprechiate the name of the model!

[@kevinb6835]

me too :D

[@brianreilly7332]

Bump!

[@marksmith6007]

Probably ControlTech with the ITU bars removed and regular bars installed.

[@marcinkoprowski916]

Same here - can someone from GTN confirm what is the exact model of these clip ons?

[@brandonnielsen694]

As someone that just bought a TT bike after having ridden a road bike with clip ons there a WORLD of difference! I ride I would’ve known 8 years ago

[@gtn]

It's a game changer right! Have you seen your times skyrocket? 🚀

[@brandonnielsen694]

@@gtn immediately my rides were 2 mph faster on average at the same or lower watts

[@MrMeowNow]

Love the show, thanks ... Both bike in this video prob cost over 10k? eahh

[@gtn]

These are not cheap options but you don't need to spent a done on triathlon gear 👉kzbin.info/www/bejne/qGmpqIZ9htNropY

[@jamiefuhrman403]

#gtncoachescorner How valuable are training camps for an age grouper, whether single sport or multisport focused, especially considering the time and costs involved?

[@austinquinn6321]

I have the same Canyon Aeroad with the CP0018 cockpit and ordered the control tech stem mounted clip on aero bar mount. However, the stem mount is too narrow for the canyon CP0018 stem. How did you get yours to fit the wider stem of the canyon handlebars? Thank you!

[@elka2palka]

I use non Canyon cockpit for my Canyon Endurace

[@nicocsanyi3578]

Did you fix it?

[@austinquinn6321]

@@nicocsanyi3578 yes, if you reach out to control tech they actually sell custom stem mount brackets that fit various Canyon bars. They just aren’t listed on their website, but they’ll sell it to you. I bought one for my CP0018 handlebars

[@ballsofsteel5365]

its crazy to be this early! 4 minutes in wow!

[@Jacobbraun9]

I’m getting my first Triathlon Bike from canyon. Would you recommend a 65mm or 85mm stem?

[@Microbit0]

If you can try one before you buy it. The store should have given the option or suggested to try one. That depends on your height

[@gtn]

That will all come down to the rider, maybe look into a bike fit pre purchase. That way you'll get the best out of your new rig 🙌

[@Rick........]

How did you get to put clip on aerobars on the canyon aeroad? I thought no aerobars could be fit onto the canyon aeroad unless you change the whole cockpit?

[@marksmith6007]

ControlTech

[@markthrelfall3577]

Yep, ControlTech ITU bars that clamp onto the stem, with poles swapped for longer ones

[@thenoclue90]

⁠@@markthrelfall3577How have these done for longevity and/or damage to the cockpit? I’m concerned having alloy clamp on carbon stem. Thank you!

[@nicocsanyi3578]

@@thenoclue90 I have the same concern. Got any update?

[@thenoclue90]

@@nicocsanyi3578 I haven’t purchased yet but Mark replied “They come with rubber pads that wrap around the stem. I would probably add some tape too, just to be safe. That said, it has not caused any harm to mine. I probably wouldn’t go yanking on them, but they’re really quite good”

[@modeaug]

What is the clip on bars on the bike? As canyon wasnt producing any for aeroad models lately.

[@marksmith6007]

ControlTech

[@gtn]

Control tech that's right! 👌

[@TheHutch000]

A big thank you to @marksmith6007 I have the same bike and have now implemented the same TT solution, massive difference to the short stumpy UCI I had which caned my back after 2 hrs. Now got fully relaxed stretch aero the difference is north and south. Big thanks mate!!

[@RewildingFlanders]

How did you manage to fit the tri bars to the CP00018 cockpit?

[@nicocsanyi3578]

@@RewildingFlanders Also questioning this...

[@zonkimwald]

What clip ons for the aeroad?

[@marksmith6007]

Probably ControlTech with different elbow pads and the itu bars removed and regular length aerobars installed

[@gtn]

@@marksmith6007 knows what's up 👌

[@markthrelfall3577]

ControlTech ITU bars that clamp on the stem, with poles swapped for longer ones

[@zonkimwald]

you are an absolute daysaver@@markthrelfall3577 , they should give you a bonus ... thanks sooo much

[@thenoclue90]

@@markthrelfall3577 How have these done for longevity and/or damage to the cockpit? I’m concerned having alloy clamp on carbon stem. Thank you!

[@mathiasreubens3098]

I want to go into triathlons. I don't have a road bike or TT bike and I'm new to cycling so I have no experience on any bike. My main purpose is triathlon so I was wondering if I should start with a road bike (to get used to sitting on a bike), or I'd better learn it on a TT bike (because that's my main purpose)? Can anyone help me out with a suggestion? :)

[@ejayz89]

Start on a road bike to get used to riding a bike and being disciplined in a lot of things. If you really like the sport and continue to do it 2-3 years from now then get a TT or a tri bike.

[@mathiasreubens3098]

@@ejayz89 thankyou for the advice 🙌

[@joneskai1]

What are the clip on bars and are they on the cp0018 handlebars??

[@brutonia]

I’ve ordered a set let’s hope they work with the cp0018 handlebars.

[@oliverleahy505]

Did they fit?@@brutonia

[@RewildingFlanders]

@@brutonia Did it work?

[@brutonia]

I had to get an extra adapter direct off the company in Taiwan. It cost an extra 160 euro on top of the 130 euro for the handlebars off amazon.

[@RewildingFlanders]

@@brutonia Thank you for the swift reply. Does it work with the adapter? How long did you have to wait for them?

[@nicocsanyi3578]

How safe is it to clamp these Clip on bars on a carbon cockpit that's not offcially supporting this? I guess its not that big of an issue as you guys are kind off promoting this?

[@joeduffy3884]

How much difference would the same person gain over 20k on a TT bike to a roadbike with good clip-on aerobars and good position??

[@Microbit0]

Maybe you should ask this question to the professionals at the tour de France while doing the time trials with their TT bikes

[@gtn]

Oooo that's a great question! Maybe we'll have to get testing 💨

[@DryhumorGuy-1]

No offense to anyone, but I wonder how many people put aero bars on their road bikes because they dont want to have to spend their money on a TT bike? Everyone knows that cycling is an expensive sport, so just be prepared to spend the money and get you a nice TT bike. Being cheap is not treating yourself to what you really want. I myself have a fast "Aerobike" that looks so close to a TT bike that people ask me if it is one, and the ability to perform on this bike is still not close to a real TT bike, which I also have. Putting aerobars on your roadbike is the equivelant of putting a Porsche suspension on your honda. It might work, but Its just not going to allow you to grab all of that horsepower. The ride, feel, and power that you can gain from the two are night and day. If you want to be aero on your road bike, just stretch with your drops, thats what they are for.

[@elka2palka]

I have both bikes, road with aerobars and tri bike. I live in a very hilly place so I prefer to ride my road bike 90 percent of the time. I don't enjoy my tri bike at all 😢

[@jazznroll5]

Usually bugs (triathlon, running, cycling) eventualy die, it is safe to stick with an aero road bike with clip on bars.

[@gtn]

We've got the tri bug for life! 🙌

[@nizam_mr]

my road bike(with clipon aerobars) is being set up with saddle fwd n tilted down n im comfortable on it. but on reddit i got downvoted to the moon lol😶‍🌫

[@gtn]

Don't listen to the haters, if the fit works for you that's great 👌

[@discreetknight]

Whoah is that an 858NSW 🛞? Give us a review Mark 🚀