If you’re thinking about road racing and competing in time trials, you might be wondering whether you should buy a road bike or get a dedicated time trial bike.
Let’s think through the pros and cons and determine which bike is right for you!
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Time Trial Bike vs Road Bike: Which One?
This article was inspired by a reader’s question about switching from mountain biking to road racing, wondering if he should start out with a regular road bike or with a full-blown time trial (TT) bike…
Coach Levi, I am an internationally-ranked sailor in the 470 class (high performance Olympic dinghy) and I have been a dedicated MTB cyclist all my life (16 years haha). I am very interested in beginning a time-trial cycling campaign. Is it wise to start off my road career with a full-blown time trial bike if that’s what I plan to compete in? I am looking at the felt B16 as a starter bike. Is all this a good idea?
Thanks so much for your time, I love reading all the helpful tips on your website!
Shone the Sailor
Hi Shone,
This is a very good question! Being a mountain bike racer myself, I considered getting a dedicated TT bike as my only road bike since I planned to do time trials if I did any road racing.
But you know what? I was only able to find one real TT race in my state, and the majority of popular races I wanted to do were actually hill climb time trials. And since those typically require a lightweight road bike as opposed to an aerodynamic-but-heavy TT bike, I decided I had very little use for a dedicated TT bike.
Let’s figure out the best choice for you…
Key Differences in Road Bikes and Time Trial Bikes
It’s important to consider the areas where these bikes differ.
The Overall Goal
The purpose of a time trial bike is to go as fast as possible over a certain race distance, in a typical time trial racecourse. These bikes are purpose-built to go fast, at the expense of everything else. It’s all about straight line speed.
Road bikes are also built to go fast on paved roads, but they are made to handle all elements of a road race. Whether it’s riding fast on a flat road, climbing a steep mountain, descending a tricky mountain pass with sharp curves, or cruising along in the peloton, a road bike is ready for it.
Riding Position
Time trial bikes are wind tunnel tested so that the bike and rider are as aerodynamic as possible. Typically this means you are in a very stretched-out, forward position, with your arms very close together. It’s not particularly comfortable or stable, but it’s fast.
On a road bike, you’re in a much more comfortable position. You’ll be aerodynamic, but still upright enough that you can control the bike in tight corners and on rough roads.
Bike Handling
When you’re out on a flat course with relatively straight roads and no one around you – i.e. a time trial course – bike handling is not a top priority. As such, time trial bikes don’t handle that well. They can be downright dangerous for a beginner.
Road bikes on the other hand are designed to make bike handling quick and easy.
Wheels
TT bikes come with wheels built for aerodynamics. Usually this means deep section rims, possibly even a disc wheel on the rear. This can make the bike handling even worse, but it improves aerodynamics, which makes the bike faster, and that’s what counts.
Road bike wheels are typical spoked wheels. The priority is usually to lighter weight rather than aerodynamics.
Brakes
Most of the newest bikes are equipped with disc brakes, but it’s possible you will find disc brakes or rim brakes on whichever bike you choose. Disc brakes offer better performance in wet conditions, but both rim brakes and discs offer adequate stopping power.
A bigger difference is in the placement of the brake levers. On road bike handlebars, you’ll have access to the brake levers from two of the three common hand positions. But with a special time trial handlebar, with a base bar and aero bars, you’ll only have brake levers on the base bar.
Bike Weight
TT bikes tend to be heavier than equally-priced road bikes. Since TT courses are typically flat, aerodynamics are more important than light weight.
As road bikes get more expensive, they get lighter.
Racing Eligibility
Racing a time trial on a time trial bike is going to give you an advantage over someone on a road bike. But you’re still allowed to ride a regular road bike in a time trial event.
However, you will not be allowed to ride a time trial bike in a mass start road race. It’s just too dangerous.
That’s just the basics. There are more pros and cons we can look at…
Time Trial Bikes: Pros & Cons
If you get a full-blown TT bike:
You’ll have a great racing bike. If you’re heart set on TTs and are positive you won’t be interesting in long road races, criteriums, or riding in a peloton, go ahead and get the TT bike.
It will also be fine for solo training rides out on the open road.
Unfortunately, when you specialize like this, you lose versatility. A TT bike will not be a good option for group rides or road races. The aero position is relatively unstable and is frowned upon in group rides, as well as illegal in regular road races. (The races are dangerous enough with everyone on easy-to-control bikes.)
Plus, TT bikes are not so great for hilly areas, since they are heavy and have fewer hand positions suited for climbing. Descending will be tough, especially if there are any sharp turns.
And if you have a lot of city riding, starts and stops, pedestrians to dodge, etc., the unstable aero position is going to be aggravating.
Road Bikes: Pros & Cons
If you get a road bike:
If you get a standard road bike instead, you’re going to gain a lot of versatility but give up a little bit in aerodynamics.
For most people, I would recommend a regular road bike because it’s more versatile. You can compete in a wider variety of races, be comfortable riding in varied situations, and join in group rides.
When you need to race a TT, use some aerobars and an aero helmet and you’ll still do well. It’s only when you’re capable of holding speeds well over 20-25mph for an entire race against other high-caliber racers that the shaped tubing and super low position of the TT bike will help.
Being an internationally ranked sailor, I’m betting you know the value of hard work and dedication to your training that is necessary to achieve great results. And to really excel in the top ranks, eventually you would need a dedicated TT bike anyway. So for you, a Felt B16 might be the right choice.
But an aerodynamic road bike like the Cervelo S1 (formerly known as the Cervelo Soloist) could be a good compromise. It’s a very aerodynamic road bike and starts around $2200, just like the Felt B16. You’d need to purchase aero bars separately, and you’d give up aerobar shifting capabilities, but you’d gain a ton of versatility.
Making The Final Decision
Road bikes and time trial bikes are both great. The best one depends on your individual needs.
The deciding factor is typically the type of racing you do. A road bike will give you the most optionality, but it won’t be quite as fast if you’re going for the overall victory in a time trial or triathlon. A time trial bike or triathlon bike will be great for their specific events, but you’re out of luck if you want to enter a road race, charity event, or group ride.
In the end, as always, the choice is yours. But I urge you to consider all the options, put together a preliminary racing schedule, and test ride the bike before making a final decision.
Final tip: If you do get the TT bike, be sure to get it at a very good shop that offers bike fits from a qualified professional. Bike fit is always important, but even more so in a TT position. Since you’re hunched over and don’t really change position while riding, you must have a perfect fit!
Levi Bloom is an experienced endurance athlete who has been training and competing for over 17 years. A former Cat 1 road and mountain bike racer (professional class on the regional circuit), he is now a cycling coach (USA Cycling Level 3 Certified) and sports nutrition coach (Precision Nutrition Level 1 Certified).
thanks Coach Levi! very helpful and informative! i really appreciate it. and i had no idea Cervelo made such a reasonably-priced racing bike. but, since i do plan on riding solo and only time trials, im leaning toward the full TT bike. again good info! helped my decision a lot.
keep up the good work!
Coach, is the TT bike the same as a Tri bike?
@Vince
That is a good question. They are very similar bikes although not exactly the same.
A bike designed for an Ironman triathlon is still going to prioritize speed, but it will be optimized for comfort over a long distance and place importance on ability to carry food and water. It’s those longer events where you may see a difference in a “triathlon bike” versus a very similar “time trial bike.”