Triathlons are often a solution for athletes who think one sport just isn’t enough.

Triathlons, which consist of a swim, cycle, and run event across varying durations, present a significant challenge in terms of endurance, strength, and mental toughness. And, while triathlons consist of running, swimming and biking, the bike component often accounts for around 60% of the race, regardless of the overall distance of the event.

Sounds difficult, right? Well, that’s because it is!

If you are new to triathlons and triathlon bikes, you might be wondering what makes triathlon bikes unique from other bikes, right? Well, they have a number of special features that make them unique. Let’s take a look at what those features include…

What Is A Triathlon Bike… The Details

Let’s take a look at some the characteristics of a triathlon bike and what makes them unique from other bikes…

Seat position

The geometry of any bike has a significant impact on its purpose, and triathlon bikes are no exception. Triathletes need to be comfortable in an aerodynamic position for extended periods of time, in addition to being able to run long distances once off the bike.

A steeper seat tube angle helps save the quads for the running portion of the triathlon.

Because of this, the seat tube angle and top tube length are the two key differences between triathlon bikes and road bikes, which are designed to recruit different muscle groups and provide comfort without sacrificing performance.

Triathlon bikes feature a substantially steeper seat tube angle than road bikes, often starting at 74 degrees and increasing to more than 80 degrees.

This huge push forward stimulates more glutes and hamstrings during the pedal stroke, sparing the quadriceps for the race’s run leg. It also enables riders to take an aggressive aerodynamic position and lower their frontal profile.

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A steeper seat angle on a triathlon bike helps to save the quads for the running portion of the race.

However, while this hyper-aggressive positioning is excellent for aerodynamics, it can also be challenging to maintain for long periods, particularly for people who lack flexibility and mobility in their hips and lower back.

To mitigate this, triathlon bikes typically have a somewhat shorter crank length than road bikes, and seats are designed to better accommodate the pronounced anterior pelvic tilt caused by bending forward.

These minor adjustments increase the hip angle, enhancing comfort and allowing riders to remain in that position for extended periods.

Triathlon bikes also have a longer top tube and an expanded reach. This adjustment is intended to stretch out the rider, placing them in a more aggressive, horizontal stance that increases their aerodynamics. This also helps to distribute a rider’s weight across both wheels appropriately.

Note: Triathlon bikes can be expensive, so if you’re looking to ease your way into owning one, take a look at these used tri bikes for sale at QR.

Aerodynamics

Triathlon bikes are not limited in the same way as time trial bikes are, allowing for significantly more imaginative designs. Now, the flip side is that triathlon bikes must have a lot of storage space, which adds more elements to the aerodynamic jigsaw.

Triathlon bikes use the same computational fluid dynamics and dynamic wind tunnel testing as road racing bikes, but in most cases, the testing is done when the bike is race-ready and equipped with fluid, tools, and food storage. Some manufacturers employ these tweaks and enhancements to improve the bike’s aerodynamics.

Aerodynamics is an important component of triathlon bikes since any minor advantage can be the difference in a race.

One way to improve aerodynamics is to use bigger tube profiles. The larger profiles allow the wind to pass smoothly along the bike, reducing turbulent airflow and increasing drag.

This is usually found on the front forks, downtube, and seat tubes. Other manufacturers will replicate this oversized tube profile by basically chopping the “tail” off an oversized tube profile, reducing overall weight, creating a stiffer frame, and simulating the same airflow.

Another way manufacturers increase a bike’s aerodynamic efficiency is to “hide” or integrate components such as brakes, wires, and storage. Triathlon bike brakes are often found behind the forks, inside the forks, or disguised behind the bike’s front fairing. They are positioned at the rear of the bike, either underneath the bottom bracket area or out of the wind in partial tube cuts on the seat stays. Internal cables are now standard on the majority of bikes, improving aerodynamics and lowering the risk of damage from environmental causes.

Another popular way to improve aerodynamics is to change the geometry of the frame. Some manufacturers have traditionally used a dipped downtube, which lowers the gap between the downtube and the front wheel, thereby boosting airflow.

Dropped seat stays are another common modification that limits the frontal area contacting the wind and thus reducing drag. Some brands have even removed the seat stays entirely, and now you can find triathlon bikes without seat tubes or seat stays.

Lastly, triathlon bikes also improve their aerodynamics by adding wheels. Although a deeper wheel profile is generally more aerodynamic, it makes the bike more difficult to handle because it is more susceptible to side winds than a shallow rim.

In addition to this, the additional material needed makes the ride harsher because it provides less compliance (comfort) than a shallower wheel.

Storage

Triathlon bikes used to have several after-market modifications, such as rear water bottle holders behind the seat, saddle bags, chunky food storage containers on the top tube, and sticky tape for attaching gel packets to the top tube.

Modern triathlon bikes have considerably more complex storage options built into the design, removing the need for retrofitting equipment.

Some bikes have a front hydration storage device designed with a frame to hold the same amount of water as a standard sports bottle while also increasing the bike’s aerodynamics.

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Others have an integrated tool storage system that fits between the front and rear wheels, while others offer a ‘draft box’ that lies behind the seat tube and millimeters above the rear wheel to improve airflow while also providing excellent storage for parts, tubes, and tools.

Specialized brands have an integrated hydration system that sits within the extra-thick downtube and eliminates the need for water bottles.

Of course, all of these features come with a price, and more storage means a higher price.

Entry-level models often have basic cockpit setups with a classic fork, steerer tube, stem, and handlebar combinations, with no integrated storage systems.

This can be useful from a functional standpoint because it allows for simple adjustment and maintenance as necessary.

Top-tier versions, on the other hand, feature fully integrated cockpit layouts with various fairings, modifications, and integrated storage systems. This strategy improves aerodynamics and integration while making modification and maintenance more challenging.

Final Thoughts On Triathlon Bikes

There is no right or wrong triathlon bike to go for. It all depends on you and your preferences. Hopefully, this article has helped you understand what exactly a triathlon bike is and have gotten a starting point for the types of features that will be important to you on your triathlon journey!

Biking can be fun exercise. But how much of a calorie deficit will biking helping you achieve?

For that matter, what’s a calorie deficit?

Let’s take a look at these questions and more, so that you can optimize your health routine and shed those extra pounds!

In addition to providing the freedom of the open road and the joy of fresh air, biking is a popular form of exercise that is effective in burning calories and enhancing general health.

First Things First… What Is A Calorie Deficit?

One of the most basic rules of weight loss is that you need to burn more calories than you eat.

So, when you burn more calories through exercise and normal bodily processes than you take in through food and drink, you have a calorie deficit.

To optimize your weight loss goals, this caloric deficit should be monitored very strictly.

How Many Calories Do You Burn Biking?

So, how many calories does riding a bike burn exactly? 

Well, one quick way to find out is a calorie deficit calculator.

Whether it is a brisk spin class at the gym or a leisurely ride around the park, cycling can be crucial to reaching a calorie deficit, which is a necessary step in losing weight.

Calorie deficit calculators are extremely helpful for tracking how many calories you burn while biking. An online calculator like this will give an estimation of your calorie burn during biking so that you can be sure you are maintaining a calorie deficit.

This way, you can balance your bike rides with your meals (caloric intake) and customize your diet and exercise routine to achieve your weight-loss goals.

Although a calorie deficit calculator is a great tool to measure your calorie burn while biking, there are many determining factors.

So, let’s examine the mechanics of riding and how it relates to burning calories!

Factors Affecting Calories Burn While Biking

Your weight, how hard you exercise, how fast you go and the terrain are all factors that determine what your calorie burn will be when biking/cycling.

Several things affect how many calories you burn while biking. These include:

• Your weight
• How hard you bike
• How fast you ride
• Environment

When two people do the same exercise, the person who is heavier will often burn more calories because his/her body has to work harder to move their weight.

Similarly, the more intense the riding, the more calories are burned. Also maintaining a faster speed while biking will also increase calorie burn.

It takes more energy to walk uphill or on the rough ground than on the smooth ground, so more calories are burned. The same is true with biking.

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Biking and Calorie Counting Tools

It is recommended to use a biking calculator approximately 6 times, altering the effort and length, in order to acquire an average estimate of your calorie burn per biking session.

Calculating Energy Expended While Biking/Cycling:

• Leisurely Riding: For people who are new to biking, a slow ride (less than 10 mph) is a good way to start. For someone weighing about 155 pounds, this kind of ride burns about 200 to 300 calories per hour.
• Moderate Effort: Riding a bike at a moderate speed (10–14 mph) can burn between 300 and 600 calories an hour, based on your weight and the surface.
• Biking Fast: If you ride your bike faster than 20 miles per hour, you can burn up to 1,000 calories an hour, which is a lot for someone who weighs about 155 pounds.

Use a calorie deficit calculator to get an accurate estimate of the number of calories you will burn while biking. These types of handy tools take into account your weight, the duration of your bicycling session, and the intensity of your workout to predict calorie burn. 

Keep in mind that these numbers are just estimates. A calorie deficit calculator can help you get more accurate numbers for your specific situation.

How To Burn The Most Calories While Biking

Doing intervals, off-road riding, and consistency in your biking will help you burn more calories.

Do Intervals

Adding interval training to your riding routine can help you burn a lot more calories. Changing between short bursts of high intensity and rest times helps your body burn more calories during the workout and for hours afterward.

Get Off The Road

Tougher terrain = greater burn when it comes to biking!

Most of the time, mountain biking or off-road biking burns more calories than street cycling because the terrain is more difficult and takes more physical effort to get through.

Be A “Regular Joe”

When you bike regularly, your stamina and muscle strength improve. This lets you perform better, which means you burn more calories because you can keep up higher intensities for longer.

Use Technology 

Cycling apps and gadgets that work with calorie deficit calculators can give you more accurate information that helps you keep track of and improve how many calories you burn.

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Cycling And Biking To Maintain A Calorie Deficit

Consistency is key when it comes to maintaining a calorie deficit…

A single bike ride can certainly help you lose calories for the day.

But, to keep the weight off, you need to maintain a calorie deficit over time. Biking, eating well, and using a calorie deficit calculator on a daily basis can help you keep the calorie deficit you need to lose weight.

Remember that it’s best to lose weight slowly and not all at once, because a big calorie shortage can be unhealthy or impossible to maintain.

FAQs About Calorie Burn From Biking

How accurate are bike calorie loss calculators?

Although calorie deficit tools can give you a good idea, they aren’t always right because they can’t tell what your metabolism is like or how hard you are working. But, they are a good way to get a rough idea of how many calories you burn.

Is it possible to burn a lot of calories just by biking?

Indeed, biking can help you burn a lot of calories, especially when you do it regularly and combine it with a healthy diet. The important thing is to bike at a speed and distance that will result in burning more calories.

How often should I ride my bike to maintain my calorie deficit?

How often you bike should depend on your fitness level, your goals, and your routine.

Most standards say that to stay healthy and help with weight loss, you should do moderate-intensity cardio for at least 150 minutes or vigorous-intensity cardio for 75 minutes per week.

Does riding a bike burn more calories than walking?

Biking is usually a better way to burn calories than walking because it’s more active. However, walking can indeed burn a lot of calories, especially if you do it for a long time.

Final Thoughts On Biking For Calorie Burn

Biking is not only a fun activity, but it can also help you lose weight and keep it off.

To burn the most calories, use a calorie deficit calculator and make sure your bike routine is right for your fitness level. 

Biking is great for leisure, exercise and calorie burn, and sight seeing… safe biking!

You can reach your calorie-burning goals by biking in a variety of ways, from slow rides in the country to fast rides on difficult terrain.

So, have fun on your bike ride and remember that biking is good for your mental and physical health in many ways!

Are you planning to buy a bike? When purchasing a new bike, you’ll have two main categories to choose from: an electric bike or a regular bike.

An electric bike, also known as an e-bike, works similarly to a motorcycle, but it doesn’t run on gas. Instead, as the name suggests, its primary power source is electricity, which makes it more sustainable and eco-friendly.

So, what’s the difference between an electric bike like this and a regular bike? Well, keep reading!

On the other hand, a regular bike is the traditional pedal-assisted bike that has been rolling on for a couple of centuries. It has two built-in pedals that require continuous forward rotation to move. It’s popular for use in fitness goals, sporting events, and recreational riding.

Price is not the only factor to consider when choosing between a regular bike and an e-bike. This article will guide you to help you decide which bike is better for you and your riding purposes. 

When choosing between an electric or regular pedal-assisted bike, price is probably one of the first things you’ll consider.

Electric bikes are more expensive than regular bikes, but that doesn’t mean you have to be rich to pay for them. You can check out out your local bike stores for an affordable electric bike fit for your budget.

What Are The Differences Between Electric Bikes And Regular Bikes?

Aside from the price, there are many things you should consider before deciding which one is better. We’ll cover these below…

Bike Parts

The most common difference you’ll probably notice between an electric and regular bike is their parts and mechanisms.

Unlike regular bikes, electric bikes have more complex parts and features, including a motor, battery, controls, sensors, and display.

• Motor: This part provides additional power to boost your pedaling.
• Battery: This is the main power source of an electric bike. If it drains, its features won’t work. Luckily, it’s easy to charge. All you need to do is remove the battery from its casing and charge it using the socket.
• Controls: These may include small buttons usually found on the handlebars that enable you to adjust your bike’s power levels and functions.
• Sensors: These provide instructions to the motor if you need assistance when pedaling.
• Display: This shows important details regarding your electric bike, including the battery levels, distance traveled, speed, etc.  

An example of an e-bike display.

An example of an e-bike thumb throttle.

An example of an e-bike hub motor.

Some parts and features may be different, depending on the brand and type of electric bike you choose. For example, on some advanced electric bikes, the controls can be integrated into the display bar.

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Bike Maintenance And Repairs

Some of the maintenance and repairs that may apply to e-bikes is the same for traditional bikes. Components such as handlebars, body, chains, wheels, bike seat, and brakes tend to be similar, if not the same on both electric bicycles and traditional bikes. Also, the cost of maintaining and repairing these parts may be the same.

Certain components of both e-bikes and regular bikes are similar or the same, such as the chain.

However, when it comes to maintenance and repairs, an electric bike may yield more issues than a regular bike. It has multiple mechanisms and complex components needed to maintain and repair (if necessary), unlike most traditional bikes. 

While items such as handlebars are similar and fairly easy to maintain and repair on both e-bikes and regular bikes, screen displays and other electronic components can be costly to replace/repair and may require the expertise of a professional.

If there’s something wrong with the electric motor system of your e-bike, you’ll need a professional e-bike specialist to fix the damage, which can be expensive. But, as long as you take good care of an electric bike, you’ll be able to prevent most of these types of headaches.

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Riding Experience

Now, you may be wondering, how is riding an electric bike different from a regular bike, and how does it feel?

Well, using an electric bike is almost the same as your ordinary bike. However, many believe that it’s more fun to ride one than any other bike and that fun starts when you get that pedal moving!

Pedaling is the same on an e-bike as on a traditional bike… just much easier!

When you start pedaling an e-bike, the sensors and motor system will begin functioning. At first, you wouldn’t notice any change until everything seems to become a bit relaxed.

Also, electric bikes don’t change how biking works. Instead, it makes the process of pedaling much easier to perform. 

An electric bike allows you to move along without exerting much effort and force on the pedals. This limits the amount of exertion needed to get to your destination. You’ll be able to reach the tops of the hills without feeling excessively tired, exhausted, or out of breath.

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The pedal assistance provided by electric bikes reduces the amount of exertion it can take to reach your destination.

Electric bikes also have adjustable pedal assistance. If you change the support to low, pedaling may require more effort. It’ll be more tiring and exhausting than usual. But if you set the settings to maximum, the pedaling will be much quicker and easier, and you’ll never be tired.

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Speed

Because of the e-bikes’ powerful pedal assistance, does it mean that they can go much faster you’re your traditional bikes? The answer depends on the type of electric bike you’ll use. 

The average maximum speed of most electric bikes is 25 km per hour (15.5 mi per hour).

The top speed of an e-bike is dependent on motor power, rider weight and riding surface.

Some electric bikes, depending on the makeup and steepness of the riding surface, can reach speeds of 20+ MPH.

Going faster than this on most e-bikes will make the internal motor system stop functioning, and you’ll have no choice but to rely on pedaling alone to make it run. But, it doesn’t mean it’s broken.

The electric motor system of an e-bike is programmed to stop once it senses that you’re going too fast.

Nevertheless, an electric bike may provide more speed in normal circumstances, such as riding a bike to work or for leisure and quality time. Also, it helps you get back to your speed once you stop, making your travel time shorter.

Which Is Better? E-Bike or Regular Bike?

The better option between electric and regular bikes is the one that suits your needs most.

If you plan on using a bike for your daily work commute, an electric bike may be the better option. With its pedal assistance, you’ll be able to maintain a constant speed even after making numerous brakes and stops. 

If you’re looking for higher intensity riding and typically a lower price tag, a regular bike will be the way to go.

But, if your goal is to pump your adrenaline and get a good work out, a regular bike may be best for you. It doesn’t have any support and will only rely on pure pedal power to work, which means you’ll be working harder. 

Also, if you’re tight on budget, it’d be best to go for a regular bike instead. It doesn’t have an electrical system, which may help you save tons of money in the long run. And you can likely make basic repairs yourself without the need for a professional bike specialist.

Final Thoughts On E-Bikes vs. Regular Bikes

When choosing a bike, you’re often left with two options; electric and regular bikes.

As mentioned above, the right choice highly depends on your needs. If you don’t have to enter or participate in any fitness event, an electric bike may be a good option.

If fitness is your primary objective, a regular bike might be the best choice.

Regardless of which one you choose, get out there and bike and enjoy creation!