13 Best Bikes for Triathlon

What are the best bikes for triathlon? Are you looking for the best option for your next triathlon? I have listed the 13 of the best bikes for triathlon in this article so that you can have an introduction of what is available. It can take a lot of time to find the right bike for your body.

With-it this article, I will give you several options to choose from. I will break it down based on your perceived skill level and then go into more detail based on your budget.

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I will focus more attention on the beginner and intermediate triathletes. When you’re just starting in the small world triathlon, it can be very confusing as to what is necessary and practical for your first bike.

So, I will spend a good portion of this article guiding beginner triathletes through which bikes are the best.

Bike Fitting

First, I would recommend getting a bike fit. A professional bike fit will save you time, money, and prevent pain or injury. You can get a bike fit for a road bike or a triathlon-specific bike.

Friends of mine who had been cycling for decades told me numerous times to get a bike fit. I kept believing that an extra $200 – $500 was an unnecessary expense. Especially if I was just going to be buying a bike that was under 1000 dollars.

Thankfully, I didn’t get seriously injured. But, I did have unnecessary pain that could have been avoided if I had gotten a bike fit.

So, Google ‘bike fit’ and find a local professional who can get you set up.

Best Triathlon Bike List

Best Beginner Triathlon Bikes

Road Bike

1. Kestrel – Talon X Shimano 105
2. Giant – Contend AR 1

Triathlon Bike

1. Kestrel – Talon X Shimano 105 Tri
2. Giant – Trinity Advanced
3. Cervelo – P Series Shimano 105 Disc

Best Intermediate Triathlon Bikes

1. Canyon – Speedmax CF-7 Disc
2. Cervelo – P-Series Ultegra DI2 Disc
3. Argon 18 – E-118 TRI+
4. Felt – IA Advanced Ultegra
5. Specialized – Shiv Sport

Best Pro/Advanced Triathlon Bikes

1. Specialized S-Works Shiv Disc
2. Cervelo – PX-Series Dura Ace DI2 Disc
3. Canyon – CFR Disc Etap

Beginners

You don’t need a triathlon bike or a new road bike.

Whether you’re going to be doing your first triathlon or you would like to upgrade your bike after having already finished a few races, this section is for you.

As a beginner, you really don’t need to go out and buy a new road bike or triathlon bike. You can easily get a used road bike, or borrow a friend’s. This is especially the case if you are doing a short course race.

Short course races or anything under a 45-kilometer bike section.

To further the proof that you really don’t need a triathlon-specific bike, the reigning world champion of the Half-Ironman 70.3 distance won his first championship race on a really nice road bike.

If you still want to get a new road bike or triathlon bike, try these.

But if you really want a new bike or you really need a new bike, here are my top picks for beginners.

Beginners – Best Road Bikes for Triathlon

Road Bikes

Kestrel – Talon X Shimano 105

Provided by Specialized

The reason why I highly recommend this bike is because of its excellent design and affordability. For many years I had read about how great this bike was. It’s not a well-known company, but it is a well-respected company and the bike industry.

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Lightweight Shimano 105
• Saddle position can switch from road setup to triathlon set up
• Easily upgrade on wheels, crank, seat, and head unit

Cons:

• Limited colors
• No tri position handle bars or tt bars

Giant Contend AR-1

Provided by Giant

This is a very good quality carbon frame bike that is excellent for hills and flats. It’s very customizable and can suit the needs of most riders. You can upgrade components as you progress. It is an excellent all-arounder.

I recommend this bike because of its ability to easily adjust to your riding position. Giant did a good job recognizing that all types of riders would be using this bike for various types of races.

Pros:

• Good Price
• Lightweight carbon frame
• Versitle and suitable for training and most road races
• Easily upgrade components

Cons:

• Aero position not easily maintained for long periods of time
• No triathlon handle bars

Beginners – Best TT Bikes for Triathlon

Kestrel – Talon X Shimano 105 Tri

Provided by Kestrel

I own this bike. It is very smooth to ride straight out of the box. I only added my own saddle and pedals.

The Talon works so well on hills and flats alike. The aero bar position is very flexible. I rode this bike in hilly sections of northern Virginia for about 6 weeks.

The Talon felt so much better going uphill than on my Felt IA or even my road bike.

It’s got great aerodynamic features that you can feel when you are pushing through the wind.

Pros:

• Very inexpensive
• Can switch the handle bars to make it a road bike
• Very well designed
• Easily upgradable

Cons:

• Components are not amazing

Giant Trinity Advanced

Provided by Giant

The Giant Trinity Advanced is a beautiful bike that allows you the flexibility of putting your body in a position that is comfortable casual TT position, or anything between, all the way to a full TT position.

I feel like this is a highly underrated triathlon bike. In fact, this is a bike that even pros could use in a race. The Trinity is easily upgradeable as well. You could keep the frame and then upgrade everything else as needed.

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Adjustable
• Solid design
• Good frame

Cons:

• None for beginners

Cervelo – P Series Shimano 105 Disc

Provided by Cervelo

This is a bike that you can use even if you are a pro! The Shimano 105 components are comparable to previous years’ Ultegra components. And you can upgrade every part of the bike except the frame in the future.

This model is not as affordable as the Cervelo P2 Series that they had for so many years. But, the frame and nearly every part of the bike have been upgraded.

The performance on this series of bikes is exceptional. Bike fitters and enthusiasts preach the versatility of being able to adjust the bike to fit your dimensions very well, regardless of your proportions.

Cervelo is a very reputable company and they provide quality workmanship that will allow you to confidently get speed on your next triathlon.

Intermediate – Best Bikes for Triathlon

Canyon – Speedmax CF-7 Disc eTap

Provided by Canyon

I have been in love with this model of Canyon bikes for over 3 years. Its simplicity, elegance, and intentional design are attractive.

This is one of the only eTap system bikes that I recommend. This version of Canyon’s SpeedMax line has the next generation of triathlon bars. As you can see, they are more aerodynamic than the standard models you see on most high-end triathlon bikes.

When you look at this bike, you know it’s a triathlon bike.

There are no low-end components but it’s still versatile enough for pros. Yet, even a beginner can hop on and get going with a few minor adjustments.

The price of this bike is usually excellent for its class level. You can buy it directly for Canyon so that the price is always the same anywhere in the world. This is excluding import taxes.

There are only a couple of colors, but for men, it is good enough. You can get a customized paint job through a few other companies if you want to change things up.

Cervelo – P-Series Ultegra DI2 Disc

Provided by Cervelo

This is an amazing triathlon bike. I have not ridden this one yet, but its predecessors were the most used bikes at Kona. Pros have been using this bike as a reliable racing bike for years.

The reason I have this bike listed as an intermediate bike is because it has a sister that is among the Ferrari/Lamborghini of bikes.

The Ultegra DI2 is the same system that I have on my Felt bike. It makes shifting so much easier. When racing with these shifters, you makes it so much easier to shift gears than the mechanical shifters that you get with TT bars.

My former bike coach told me that Cervelo’s triathlon bikes are an excellent choice because they are great for getting the right fit for your body. He was also a professional bike fitter and highly recommended this bike.

To be honest, I think the design is pretty sexy. It isn’t overstated, but it just has all the right proportions.

Argon 18 – E-118 TRI+

Provided by Argon

For the price, you cannot beat this Ultegra Di2 setup. With disc brakes and one of the best electronic shifters, you would be pressed to find a better deal for the money.

After reviewing the specs on this bike for the article, if I could only spend USD 4,000 on a new bike, I would pick this one. And now you can find some amazing deals online where you can get upgraded wheels for the same $4,000.

Argon 18 is a well-known company that has a long history in triathlon. Their bikes are loved all over the world.

As a high-end bike manufacturer, their sponsored riders are regularly on triathlon podiums. That being said, this bike is all about feeling.

Many pros, like Eric Lagerstrom, love their bikes. It is a low-maintenance triathlon bike. They are not as fancy looking as other bikes on this list. But, the frame and fitting are well designed. The design provides a vast array of options for your setup.

Like all of the bikes on this list, you are mostly paying for the frame that has the right fit for you. The frame is all the bike companies are making. All the other pieces are mostly created by other companies.

Overall this bike is well-liked by triathletes.

Felt – IA Advanced Ultegra – Di2

Provided by Felt

I have the predecessor of this bike. I love it.

The newest version has fully integrated cable lines/holes. It is a very stiff bike, and it is a dream to ride.

I have an all black and white version. But, a friend of mine has a custom color done on her bike. It’s gorgeous.

I appreciate Felt overall because they were one of the first companies to make bikes designed specifically for triathletes. They are an American company that has its bikes built overseas. But, at the heart of the company is a commitment to performance.

This is one of the more expensive intermediate level bikes that I recommend. But, that is really due to the Ultergra Di2. This makes it so much easier to shift. I think that from a safety standpoint, it’s better to have Di2. Electronic shifting is faster and much more accurate than mechanical. This prevents you from having to think too much when you are shifting on your TT bars.

The other benefit is that you can add shifters to your base bar. This is so much more convenient than having to reach up to the end of the TT bars to shift gears when you are out of an aero position.

I also feel that the pricing for this intermediate level bike without the Ultegra Di2 is excellent!

Specialized – Shiv Sport

Provided by Specialized

I highly recommend this bike!

First, it is beautiful! Second, it comes from one of the most respected bike companies in the world. Third, the high-end versions of Specialized road and tri-bikes are more than 4 times the cost of this one.

Essentially, you are getting the same pedigree of a bike as Specialized top shelf frames. I appreciate the detail that goes into this bike. The triangle is superbly arrow dynamic.

Like other bikes in this intermediate level, you can upgrade to better components over time. Likely, the first upgrade you will make is to the drive train or more aero wheels.

Some of the key benefits to this frameset are the integrated water system that comes up through the top tube, a deep aero crossbar, and an integrated braking system.

I would recommend getting a proper saddle that fits you properly. The saddle that comes with it, may not allow your sit bones to rest properly for your tri position.

Advanced – Best Bikes for Triathlon

The Best Pro Triathlon Bike – Specialized S-Works Shiv Disc

Provided by Specialized

Gorgeous!

Fun, sexy, exciting! These are just a few adjectives that come to mind with this incredible, very expensive bike. There are so many delicious features of this bike that I can go on and on about.

The colors are incredible. The hot pink bleeds into a sunny yellow. These colors remind me of American western sunset. It reminds me of driving through Arizona or Nevada as the sun is setting on a summer night.

To get into the details of this bike might take an entire post to fully describe, but here are a few highlights.

It has an integrated water system for easy refills during a full or half distance tri. It is designed so that you get one of the most efficient hills climbs on a triathlon bike. The down-tube shaping is made to reduce crosswind effects that are typical with TT bikes.

With the newest road and triathlon bikes coming out having disc brakes, the Shiv is no exception. This creates great stopping power in wet weather. The nonscientific testing that takes place on loads of Youtube channels shows how some disc brakes can reduce stopping time and distance in half.

This is crucial in a short distance race, but even in a longer race that you would use this bike for, you would benefit from being able to stop sooner to avoid a collision.

One of the most important parts of this bike is the Shimano Dura-Ace Di2. This makes shifting while in a TT position faster, more secure, and efficient. I love my Ultergra Di2. It makes life so much easier when you want to switch gears in the TT position.

If I ever got this bike, the only thing I would eventually replace is the TT bars. I would want the new aero-shaped TT bars that a lot of the pros are using now. They seem a little more comfortable and secure than current TT bars.

Overall, this is a truly incredible bike. It simply gives you everything except a massage.

Cervelo – PX-Series Dura Ace DI2 Disc

Provided by Cervelo

If a bike were a black panther, this would be it. Look at this thing. It looks like it could take off. Or maybe it was in Star Trek. It’s just beautiful!

The Cervelo line of triathlon bikes is seemingly my dream bike. I feel like all of their bikes are a good balance between attractive unique design and function.

You can just look at their range of tri bikes and see how beautiful they are.

As I mentioned before, I have not ridden most of these bikes on the list, and this Cervelo is no exception. But, from friends/ acquaintances who have this bike and other bikes on this list, I am trying to give an honest assessment of these bikes.

If you compare the look of the Shiv Sport that I talk about before this Cervelo, you can see how much more symmetrically aligned the angles are on the down tube and v-shaped frame.

This design feels like a different machine than the Specialized Shiv line. I like how Cervelo pushes the boundaries of their design. I they don’t come off seeming like they are complacent with innovation.

It’s Ready for the Travel Box

With my adoration of Cervelo out of the way, I think the biggest benefit of this bike is the ease of breaking the bike down for travel. They specifically designed this series of triathlon bikes to be ready for being put in a bike box.

If you have ever had to take your bike apart for traveling to a race, you know how much of a hassle it can be. You can easily take the base bar and TT bars apart. As beneficial as this is, I still wish they had a better system for breaking a bike down though. But, when you can afford this bike, paying $50 to have it packaged up safely and properly every time you need to fly to a race is a drop in the bucket.

Simply put, this is my dream bike with Dura-Ace Di2, disc brakes, a v-shaped frame, and an incredible look.

Canyon – CFR Disc Etap

Provided by Canyon

It’s very manly, right! This bike has guys in mind. It has arguably the fastest Zipp wheels available right now. The TT bars are very unique. There is the connected section where you can rest your arms, and then at the ends, it splits, allowing a place for your hands to rest.

This is high-end beast that is valued into the 5 digits. The disc brakes are excellent and the eTap system is just as good as the Shimano Di2.

This bike is all about speed and getting as much aero energy savings as possible.

I do admire how Canyon is a no-frills kind of company. They give you what works at a more reasonable price than other companies. I also like how you can purchase this bike directly from them on their website.

This bike is arguably not as beautiful as the others on this list. But, it makes up for that with performance, stiffness, and comfort.

In Conclusion

I hope this gave you a nice, slightly entertaining look at triathlon bikes that are out there. If you are just starting and are going to be doing your first triathlon soon, I highly recommend getting a triathlon bike fitting by a pro. This will save you a lot of time and money experimenting with what you need.

And if you have the money, it is almost always worth upgrading your bike parts for safety, comfort, and ease of use.

The best bikes for triathlons are varied and can give you an overwhelming sense of “I don’t know what to pick”. But, the best option is to start simple.

If you have a short course triathlon (anything up to an Olympic distance), then you will be fine with a road bike coupled with a bike fit. If you are doing a long course triathlon (anything from 70.3 to Ultraman triathlons), then a triathlon bike might be a better option.

I hope you have an amazing day!

See you in the next article.