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    Top 10 triathlon bike brands every triathlete should know

    Alice Huot
    Alice Huot
    Sep 10, 2024 10 min
    Top 10 triathlon bike brands every triathlete should know

    What are the best triathlon bike brands? The triathlon is an incredible sport that combines swimming, cycling, and running. One of the most performance-enhancing factors is the bicycle leg. This is where many races are won and lost because it is the longest section, and using the right equipment makes a lot of difference. 

    We often get asked some amazing questions here at buycycle, but one that comes up often is, “What are the best triathlon brands?” In this article, we will discuss our top ten triathlon brands by discussing history, bikes, and much more so you can get the most out of the bike leg. Let’s discuss the best triathlon bike brands!

    What are the best triathlon bike brands?

    Here are the top 10 most loved triathlon brands in the US:

    There are many fantastic triathlon bike brands available. Still, before we start, it’s important to remember that athletes often use road and triathlon bikes on certain long-distance triathlons or hilly courses. We will include some we often see in this article.

    See triathlon bikes on buycycle

    Top 3 best triathlon bike brands

    Cervelo: Leading innovation in triathlon bikes

    Cervelo was founded in 1995 by Phil White and Gerard Vroomen. Originally from Canada, they aimed to create some of the market's quickest and most aerodynamic bikes. They have been very successful in this endeavor. 

    They have created incredible bikes with incredible performance and designs utterly unique from what other brands have been producing. Cervelo bikes have ridden to victory in the Ironman World Champs in Kona and are incredibly popular among professionals. 

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    The Cervelo P-Series is used by triathletes of all levels, and the PX-Series is designed more for professionals. They are not just incredible bikes to look at; their performance backs them up, and the frameset's aerodynamic profile is out of this world. 

    Pros

    Cons

    Amazing design and aerodynamics.

    They are far from cheap.

    Always at the forefront of technology.

    Some advanced features often need more maintenance.

    Lots of wins from professionals.


    They look incredible.


    See Cervelo triathlon bikes on buycycle

    Canyon: From online retailer to triathlon giant

    Canyon has become a massive brand in recent years. Initially, they started selling as an online retailer, then went into bikes later. They have become a huge brand with much to offer in bringing new technology. They have been running since 2002 and were founded by Roman Arnold Koblenz. 

    Unlike many other brands, they offer a direct-to-consumer market so you won't find them in your local shop. They typically can only be ordered online, and you must assemble them at home lightly. This stops big markups from shops and huge discounts.

    Canyon's top triathlon bike is the Speedmax CF SLX. It’s made for elite performance and has excellent aerodynamics. They also make a Speedmax CF that is similar but more focused on value for money. Canyon brand is quickly growing as one of the top triathlon brands. 

    Pros

    Cons

    Great value for money.

    Must be partly assembled at home.

    The sales model, direct to consumer, works well.

    Hard to test, as it is sold online only.

    Excellent technology and great bike stats. 


    See triathlon bikes from Canyon on buycycle

    Trek: A trusted name in performance biking

    Trek was started in Wisconsin in 1976. In the past nearly 50 years, it has become one of the most respected bicycle brands, and its commitment to bringing new technology to the sport has been incredible—not just in triathlon but also in road cycling, mountain biking, and even casual bikes. 

    Trek has been involved with some amazing professional teams and sponsored athletes like Lance Armstrong and many more. They have seen many podiums and continue to support many athletes and teams. - Alice Huot @ buycycle

    The Trek Speed Concept is their most used Triathlon bike. It comes in many different specification levels and offers excellent aerodynamics and performance. Many athletes also use the Domane, their road bike, for hillier courses and longer races. Trek bikes are great, and its goal is to become one of the brand leaders in triathlon bikes.

    Pros

    Cons

    Huge dealer network to provide support.

    Sometimes it can be pricier with Trek.

    A lot of different levels of components.

    It can be confusing with component levels.

    Excellent quality and customer service.


    See Trek triathlon bikes on buycycle
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    Check out some of the best triathlon bikes for sale on buycycle!

    Other triathlon bike brands to consider

    Cannondale: Cutting-edge designs for triathletes

    Cannondale, founded in 1971 in Connecticut, has been in business for over 50 years. The first cycling product they made was a buggy, and then they moved on to bicycles in the 1980s. They went straight to high performance and have been there since. They started using aluminum before most other companies, setting an ongoing trend in the industry.

    Most people choose the Cannondale Slice or Super Slice triathlon bike. It’s incredibly aerodynamic and fast, and it looks the part. The Super Slice is the top model designed for competitive racing. Cannondale is a well-established brand with great technology in triathlon.

    See Cannondale's triathlon bikes on buycycle

    Quintana Roo: The pioneer in triathlon-specific bikes

    Quintana Roo was started in 1987 by Dan Empfield. It came out of California and is one of the brands mainly focusing on triathletes. Interestingly, they were the first to make a triathlon-specific wetsuit, completely changing people's outlook on the brand.

    The Quintana Roo PR is one of the flagship bikes. It comes in different levels, so it can be an excellent value for money or an incredible tool for professionals to win. They are a smaller brand than others, but they understand triathletes like no other. 

    See triathlon bikes from Quintana Roo on buycycle

    BMC: Precision engineering for triathlon champions

    BMC, also known as the Bicycle Manufacturing Company, was founded in 1986 in Switzerland. Never shy of setting the bar high, BMC has made incredible bikes featured in races such as the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia. They even have their research lab to help advance technology. 

    The Timemachine is commonly used in triathlon by professionals and amateurs. The Timemachine 01 is the top-level professional racing bike, giving an aerodynamic advantage over other brands. 

    See triathlon bikes on buycycle

    Giant: unrivaled performance at any distance

    Giant is one of the largest bike manufacturers in the world. They make a wide range of bikes for all cycling disciplines and with different levels of components. Not to mention that they even make bikes for plenty of other brands. Giant is known for its incredible high quality and was one of the first brands to start mass-producing carbon fiber.

    They have some incredible bikes for triathlons. One of the most popular bikes is the Trinity Advanced. It’s lightweight, aerodynamic, and offers a comfortable fit. If you are looking for something more professional, we have the Trinity Advanced Pro. This list wouldn’t be complete without Giant, as they are one of the best brands for triathlon.

    See Giant's triathlon bikes on buycycle

    Felt: Pushing the limits of speed and aerodynamics

    Felt started in California in 1991. They make great road bikes and some of the best triathlon bikes. Felt bikes have been used to set world records in triathlon and track cycling. They focus on performance, and the bikes also look fantastic.

    The Felt B is their option regarding value for money but also having lots of performance. If you want performance and are happy to spend a little more, you might want to consider the Felt IA series, which focuses purely on performance.

    See Felt's triathlon bikes on buycycle

    Cube: Affordable innovation for aspiring triathletes

    Cube was founded in Germany in 1993 by Marcus Pürner. It came from small beginnings but became a big part of the cycling industry. Cube is not just about great bikes and quality; they have their in-house testing facility to ensure performance and, of course, the bikes to be as safe as possible. 

    Like many brands, they have one model with different performance levels. The Cube Aerium is the popular choice for performance and value for money, and the Cube Aerium C:68 is the high-end top model aimed at elite performance and people who take the sport incredibly seriously. 

    See Cube's triathlon bikes on buycycle

    Budget or high-end? Choosing the right triathlon bike

    Many triathlon bikes have a mid-range model aimed at everyone and a professional model aimed at high-end athletes and race professionals. A professional bike bought secondhand is often a better option than going for something more basic from a top triathlon brand.

    At buycycle, people often buy the top-of-the-range bike secondhand for less money to get the performance they desire without spending too much money. This is a great way to go, and with the buycycle protection, you know you are getting something very well looked after. 

    See triathlon bikes on buycycle

    Which are the best triathlon bike brands?

    When it comes to choosing the best triathlon bike brands, it’s very challenging because they each offer something a little different. A lot of it comes down to personal preference and what you have available. 

    A great route to take down is to consider buying secondhand compared to new ones using buycycle. It saves you a lot of money, and you get the protection of buying with a company, and you can go for a better bike at a much cheaper cost. 

    See triathlon bikes on buycycle
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    Want to learn more about triathlon? Check out these articles:- What is a triathlon bike?- How to choose a triathlon bike?- The best cheap triathlon bikes

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