Triathlon Bikes
When asked by countless customers what the difference is between a road bicycle and a time
trial/triathlon-specific bicycle, we usually reply:
“The job we ask them to do makes for different bicycles.”
Road bicycles are expected to be nimble, light, and fit well in the expected riding position.
Triathlon bicycles are expected to be stable, aerodynamic, and –of course- fit well in the expected
riding position.
The riding position for each is very different, once you take a close look.
A road bike is effective when tackling long road rides, especially when hills and twisty roads are
involved. A slack seat position gives leverage when climbing long hills. Aerodynamics are less
important, and multiple hand positions (with access to the brake levers) help in group ride
situations.
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Quintana Roo has been in the tri-bike business for almost two decades. The Quintana Roo Superform tri-bike of 1990 was being produced before the rest of the industry had the concept on their radar. Almost 20 years of refinement and athlete input later, the people at Quintana Roo have devoted themselves to the sole purpose of building triathlon-specific bicycles.
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Next on our list is a 2009 Litespeed Ti Saber triathlon bike. This Titanium frame sports aero-tubing with horizontal drop-outs and internal shift cable routing. Carbon aero fork, FSA Orbit headset, Shimano Ultegra SL Shifters, cranks, and front derailleur with an upgrade to a Shimano Dura-Ace rear derailleur. 12-26 10 speed cassette, A Class ALX 320DX wheel set that is shod in Continental Ultra Race 700 x 23 tires. Quintana Roo 110mm stem, 42cm bull horn bars, FSA Vision aero-bars, Carbon aero seat post and Quintana Roo saddle.
This bicycle is new with a parking lot test ride by our most Aero mechanic, Aero Dave. There are none more
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Double-takes. That’s what this bike is known for, especially from people who really scrutinize a triathlon bicycle. It’s usually due to the frame’s deep cross-section down tube. The leading edge of the down tube doesn’t follow the trailing edge of the front tire. Instead, it sits to the right of it, giving it a slightly lopsided look. When the airflow peels off the front wheel, it doesn’t crash headlong into the down tube and produce drag. It flows off to the left and across the down tube on the non-drive side of the bike. This reduces drag in a way no other tri-bike has ever done. In the wind tunnel, the bike produced the lowest drag coefficient numbers recorded: Cd0.1. The down tube shape isn’t the only thing to help the CD 0.1 (and you) through the air. The front brake caliper is
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The Lucero Lite turned heads last year, and the 2009 version will continue to do so. The Lucero Lite uses high-modulus carbon fiber to reduce frame weight while keeping the bike’s torsional rigidity very high. Yes, you can have comfort, lightness and efficiency in the same bike! The frame’s aero tube shapes and aero-blade seatpost reduce the drag, while keeping the frame geometry that makes the fit of a Quintana Roo tri-bike legendary. Even the cables are internally routed for maximum aero efficiency. SRAM components are found throughout the drivetrain including a SRAM Red rear derailleur, a SRAM Force front derailleur and 53/39 Force crankset. Even the 10-speed cassette, chain and bottom bracket are SRAM units. Carbon aero wheels arm this bike to the teeth, with a 60mm cross section to
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The Lucero (Spanish for “bright shining star”) has been part of the Quintana Roo family for years, and it continues to stack up victory after victory across the country in sprint tri’s to Ironman events. The 2009 Lucero has an aerodynamic carbon fiber frame and fork designed for lightness and a smooth ride. Aluminum Alex 420 wheels are an excellent wheelset for training and racing, and are shod with Continental Ultra Race tires. The drivetrain components are Shimano throughout with an Ultegra SL crankset and front derailleur matched with pro-quality Dura-Ace shifters and rear derailleur. The cassette and chain are Shimano 105 for excellent compatibility and shift quality. The aerobar set is from Vision, with a lightweight alloy base bar, Vision Aero-blade levers and alloy clip-on
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When searching the marketplace for a true carbon fiber tri-bike to raise your game for next season, the Caliente moves to the front of the pack. If you were impressed with the frame, fork, brakes and drivetrain on the Quintana Roo Lucero, the Caliente has all the same specs! What make it different? The brake levers are a non-aero style, the saddle has alloy rails instead of titanium, the aerobars have a standard round base bar, and it has Alex 320 aluminum aero wheels. Still a very solid and race-ready package. If you have future upgrade plans or favorite components at home already, this might be the best choice for your money. If you are planning on a wheel upgrade before you leave the shop with your new Caliente, the Reynolds Assault wheelset is available at an additional cost. The
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Quintana Roo has been refining carbon tri-bikes for female competitors as well. The Dulce is built with small female triathletes in mind. In fact, the top tube length on the extra-small Dulce measures only 49.5cm with a 69.8cm stand-over height. That’s ready for a rider with an inseam of only 27 ½”. The components are some of Shimano’s best, with a Dura-Ace rear derailleur and shifters matched with an Ultegra SL crankset and front derailleur. The chain and cassette are Shimano’s 105 components. Vision’s lightweight clip-on aero bars and alloy base bar help keep the rider’s aero position, while the Alex 320 wheelset shod with Continental Ultra Race tires are excellent for training or racing. Reynolds Assault carbon aero wheels are available as an upgrade at an additional cost. The Dulce
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The Quintana Roo Seduza remains the yardstick for the entry-level carbon fiber triathlon bicycle. Value is found throughout the Seduza from the aero bar package with Vision struts, to the Shimano derailleurs, shifters, chain and cassette. The crankset is an FSA Omega with compact chainrings for taking on a hilly race or training ride. The Alex 220 aluminum aero wheels are light and stiff for years of mileage. If you want to make it even more of a race-day warrior, you can upgrade to Reynolds Assault carbon aero wheels for an additional cost. The Quintana Roo Seduza is available in the following sizes: Extra-small (48cm), Small (50cm), Medium (54cm), and Large
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An aluminum triathlon bicycle isn’t always an introductory machine. This is personified in the Quintana Roo Tequilo. The drivetrain is highlighted with a Shimano Ultegra SL rear derailleur and an FSA Omega compact crankset for efficient power delivery. Vision aero-bars and an aero-blade carbon fiber fork help cut through the wind, while lightweight Alex 220 wheels accelerate smoothly out of the curves. The Tequilo can be purchased with an upgrade to Reynolds Assault carbon aero wheels at an additional cost. The aluminum-framed Quintana Roo Tequilo is available in the following sizes: Extra-small (46cm), Small (49cm), Medium (52cm), Medium-large (55cm), Large (58cm) and Extra-large
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Want to start your next season on a true tri-bike, but don’t want to break the bank? You say you need a small size as well? Quintana Roo has an answer for you called the Chicquilo. The aero-formed aluminum frame and carbon fork are designed to cut through the wind, while the lightweight Alex 220 wheels are ready for miles of training and racing. Shimano components are found throughout starting with an Ultegra SL rear derailleur and Dura-Ace shifters. Shimano 105 front derailleur, chain and cassette give the Chicquilo excellent response when you stomp on the pedals. Quintana Roo provides the stem, saddle, and brakes, with a Vison aero bar to complete the package. Looking to upgrade right off the showroom floor? The Chicquilo can get an upgrade to Reynolds Assault carbon aero wheels at an
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The Lucero. Quintana Roo’s idea of what a triathlon
bicycle should be. The Lucero’s carbon fiber frame is
designed to be more than just light or aerodynamic. The
curved seatstays soak up fatiguing vibration, and will keep
you fresh for the marathon. Internal cable routing cleans
up the aero profile of the frame. Dura-Ace components
coupled with an FSA carbon crankset produce an
immediate response from the pedals. Flashpoint carbon
wheels and a Fizik saddle finish a package made for
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Quintana Roo didn’t leave their best carbon fiber frame at
the top of their range. The Caliente shares the same frame
and fork as the Lucero, but doesn’t share the price tag. A
carbon aero seatpost and an FSA carbon fiber crankset are
also carried over. A tri-specific saddle, Vison’s alloy aero
bars, and lightweight aero wheels complete the
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Quintana Roo doesn’t forget that all triathletes need to start somewhere. Dropping a bucket-load of cash on your first dedicated tri-bike doesn’t appeal to everyone, so the Kilo was created for that reason. The Kilo isn’t a bike that cuts corners, though. The aluminum frame is designed to be easy for fitting, stable at speed, and comfortable on rough pavement. Light Alex wheels, an FSA Gossamer crankset and Vision’s alloy aero bars leave the beginner triathlete with the right bike for the
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Since 2000, Trek has been relentlessly pursuing the task of building the finest, most aerodynamic
time trial/triathlon bicycles in the world. Trek has demanding users. Lance Armstrong, Levi
Leipheimer, George Hincapie and Alberto Contador have been making their mark in the ProTour
scene, and the time trial machine that Trek provides for them is expected to be the best. Period.
Chris Lieto and Tim DeBoom have relied on Trek’s Equinox TTX to carry them to the marathon
leg of Ironman Kona. The 2008 Equinox TTX bicycles are the result of cutting-edge engineering,
wind tunnel tests, athlete input, and made-in-America hand
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