ALL ABOUT BEING AERO – THE TRI BIKE WAY

With this weekend’s running of the Kona Ironman World Championships, we thought to give a quick primer on some of the more radical aero TT/Tri bikes that are currently making waves. The one question that these bikes bring to mind is wondering how much of the designs can actually make the transition to aero road bikes. Time will tell.

THE WILD WORLD OF AERO

Felt’s IA 2.0 takes the original revolutionary design and striking silhouette to the next level. It represents the pinnacle of Felt form following function. Integrated hydration in the front and storage in the rear all while being their fastest bike ever. www.feltbicycles.com

Although the Utah based consumer direct brand has of late been gaining a growing reputation with their road and gravel bikes, the brand actually got its start by developing the Ventum One tri bike. With it’s unique Z-shaped frame, the bike is available in six sizes and four drivetrain choices. Ventum will have three athletes in the field at Kona. Frame prices start at $4999. www.ventumracing.com

Colnago’s TT1 was developed in the wind tunnel at the Politecnico di Milano University and first saw action in the Giro d’Italia. This the first Colnago time trial bike to use disc brakes and will be available S, M and L.
sizes. www.colnago.com

Although it failed to produce it’s highly expected time-trial wins at the Tour de France and TT world championships under Filippo Ganna, there’s no taking away how striking Pinarello’s Bolide F is as a pure weapon of speed. Four sizes will be available. www.pinarello.com

Filippo Ganna and his Pinarello Bolide in one of their last rainbow rides together.

The Cadex Tri bike is undoubtedly the wildest design to hit the tri circuit this year. The step-thru frame has a seat angle range of 76-80 degrees with an integrated hydration and storage system and radical twin-spar fork. Like the frame, the 4-spoke wheels are a production item. www.cadex-cycling.com

Olympic champion Kristian Blummenfelt rode the radical Cadex tri bike to a convincing win last spring at the Utah Ironman.

The Red Bull Technologies BMC Speed Machine certainly looks up to the task! The prototype bike is being raced by BMC Pro Triathlon Team Member Patrik Nilsson .