TRIATHLON BIKES Dimond Brilliant

IT’S ALL ABOUT the bike, right? OK, maybe not, but it sure is nice to have a fast ride that provides a bit of “free” speed. (That would be “effort-free” speed, of course – shaving off those seconds typically costs quite a bit.) Triathlon bikes are designed around the aero bars that have become a mainstay in our sport, and typically feature steeper seattubes to make riding on the bars more comfortable. Triathlon bikes also don’t have to conform to UCI rules, sometimes eschewing the 3:1 tube ratios required in cycling for some extra speed. The important thing to remember when it comes to picking out your next tri ride is that upwards of 75 per cent of your total aerodynamic drag comes from you, the rider, so your position is the most important factor when it comes to riding fast. So, no matter how fast the bike, make sure you can get yourself fit on it for optimal performance.

Fit has become an important feature for triathlon bike manufacturers these days, so chances are the bike that strikes your fancy from our list is likely to also adjust to your needs, too.

$13,595

Dimond founder TJ Tollaksen has long been known as one of the sport’s premier cyclists, and he’s using his engineering background to radically change the classic perceptions of what a bike should look like. Maintaining the V-shape frame dynamics developed by Softride over 20 years ago, the Brilliant helped Maik Twelsiek claim the fastest bike split in Kona last year. Shimano Dura Ace Di2 components can be combined with a variety of aero bar or wheel options (3T Aduro or Enve SES TT bars, Zipp NSW 808 or Enve SES 7.8 wheels) to create your ultimate speed machine. Add in even more aero speed by including the Superfork on your ride, which is only compatible with Tririg Omega and Omega X aero brakes, and the only thing slowing you down on race day will be your ability to push the pedals.