Time Trial (TT) bikes generally have the same frame as a Triathlon bike, the only real difference being where the seat is placed. Triathletes have their butt closer to the front of the bike than time trialists. While a bit more precarious, it works different leg muscles than the ones you use in the run. Sitting further back on the bike can make you use the same muscles biking as you do running and can hurt your running time. I felt very unstable, almost to the point of being scared and unsafe, on my tri bike the first time I got on. Just practicing on it for 10 minutes riding down an empty alley made me feel more comfortable. Now I really like it and don't know why distance riders don't use aero bars.
How can people look at a Triathlon bike and know what model it is? It's not as hard as you think. Most bike manufacturers have about three Time Trial (TT)/Triathlon bike set ups they sell. So if you look at the brand, and learn the difference between entry level, mid grade, and "Woah! You are rich/sponsored", you'll be at a good place. Some models are almost visually identical, except for the paint jobs and minor pedal or gear changes, for 3-6 years before the line is upgraded.
BH
Aerolights seem to all have the same carbon fiber frame with a rear wheel cover in the frame.
Aerolight 9.9 Deep carbon wheels
Aerolight 9.7 Deep carbon wheels
Aerolight 9.5 Medium carbon wheels
Aerolight 9.3 Medium carbon wheels
Kit Cuardo BH Aerolight
Aero 2 is carbon fiber frame but no rear wheel cover
GC Aero 2 8.9 meduim depth carbon wheels
GC Aero 2 8.7 Deep Carbon wheels
GC Aero 2 8.5 training wheels
Kit Global Aero
Cannondale
The Slice series have a carbon fiber frame, rear wheel cover, and a reputation for holding records in the Ironman Distance Triathlons.
The Slice RS frames have a flat top tube, all carbon, many straight bold lines, a vertical seat post, a think frame behind the fork, and rear wheel shielding. The back of the frame ends in a point.
Slice RS SRAM RED Black Inc. $11,000
Slice RS Hi-Mod Ultegra Di2 $7,200
Slice RS Hi-Mod Ultegra $5,550
The Slice RS frames have a little more curve to them in the frame behind the headset than the less expensive line. I know someone with the Slice 5 who likes it.
Slice Hi-MOD SRAM RED-$4,420
Slice 3 Ultegra-$3,100
Slice 5 105 $2,450
Cervelo 2013 lineup
http://www.cervelo.com/en/bikes/p-series.html
Cervelo is the most popular triathlon brand for racers. Cervelo has four lines. the R series is classic road. The S Series is aero road. The P series is TT/Triathlon. The T series is single speed track.
P2-no real wheel cover-frame was made in both aluminum and carbon until 2010 when they went full carbon. $2,600
P3-Most triathlon wins are on this bike model because the model has been around for so many years-carbon body/wheel cover. Carbon fiber frame with wheel cover. $3,600
P5-Better wheel cover and more aero brakes. Better wheels. Considered one of the best. $10,000
Felt 2013 lineup
http://www.feltbicycles.com/USA/2013/TT-TRI/DA-Series/DA1.aspx
The D and B series do not have a gap above the back wheel, which is good for aerodynamics. The cheaper S series does which is less aerodynamic. The cheaper S series also is made of aluminum. The D series has a more prominent rear fork coming out of the seat post than the B series.
DA1-carbon fiber frame-$10,329
DA2-carbon fiber frame-$7,749
DA3-carbon fiber frame-$5,169
DA4 and DA4W-carbon fiber frame-$3,729
B2-carbon fiber frame-$6,199
B12-carbon fiber frame-$3,099
B16 and B16W-carbon fiber frame-$2,069 (A good friend has this and sees no reason to upgrade. I like it.)
S32-aluminum frame-$1,449
Giant
Trinity Advanced SL-Comes with deep carbon wheels, vertical seat with rear wheel cover $13,400
Trinity Composite-carbon fiber frame-rear wheel cover-entry level wheels- $5,100
Orbea-All nice looking carbon fiber bikes with rear wheel cover
Ordu SSJ- Entry level wheels. upward sloping top tube $2,299
Ordu GLT Deep carbon wheels, downward sloping top tube $4,499
Ordu GLI2 Same frame as GLT $5,499
Ordu GRD Same frame as GLT $5,999
Quintana Roo
http://www.quintanarootri.com/bike_lineup.asp#shiftseries
Shift Series-All look like they have the same carbon frame with wheel cover, front brake behind stem. The Illicito has some minor upgrades from the CD0.1. The CD0.1 looks good!
Illicito-higher carbon fiber construction, absence of left side seat stay, claims lowest drag coefficiant of any modern design. Mid depth Reynolds carbon wheels.
CD0.1 Di2-Electronic shifters (I think),Available Reynolds Strike wheelset
CD0.1 Dura Ace-Reynolds Wheelset. TriMax TT Carbon Crankset-flat bars
CD0.1 Race-Ultegra, includes Reynolds wheelset
CD01 Ultegra- Ultegra. available Reynolds wheelset ($3,199)
CD0.1 Camo-Ultegra. available Reynolds wheelset (just a different paint job?)
CD0.1 Team-frameset only
Fit series, (less aggressive)
This tier of bikes looks like they share a basic aluminum frame, different paint jobs though, with no wheel cover and entry level wheels.
Lucero-SRAM Red
Seduza-Ultegra
Dulce-105
Kilo C-SRAM Rival
Specialized
Third most popular Tri bike brand I think.
Shiv http://www.specialized.com/us/en/bikes/road/shiv
S-Works Shiv TT Module (Frame and crank only) $6,100
S-Works Shiv Module (Frame and crank only) $5,800
Comp Rival Mid Compact $3,300 (All these look similar. Fat aero downtube with rear wheel shielding. Carbon fiber frame.)
Shiv Pro OSBB Frameset $2,800
Transition Apex - carbon frame-has rear wheel shielding. Less dramatically fat downtube. Top tube has a hump. $2,200
Shiv Elite Apex Mid-Compact $1,550 (Standard entry level. Aluminum frame, carbon fork. slight hint at rear wheel shielding.)
Trek
http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/bikes/road/triathlon
Known more for road bikes than tri bikes, Trek still offers a nice tri product. It doesn't have complete rear wheel shielding, which I find odd. It claims it has wind tunnel tested all competitors and the only thing faster than the 7 series is the more expensive 9 series. These do have DuoTrap section built in to measure speed, distance, and cadence without adding drag.
Speed Concept 9 series $6,089.99-$11,549.99 (9.5, 9.8, 9.9 with women's versions for the 9.5 and 9.8) Has brakes built into the frame. Doesn't have exposed cables.
Speed Concept 7 Series (7.0, 7.5, 7.8 with women's versions for the 7.0) $2,729.99-$4,619 Full carbon. Has exposed front brake and brake cables and doesn't completely wrap the rear wheel.
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Here is a list of tri bike manufacturers. http://www.trijuice.com/2006/12/triathlon_bike_manufacturers.htm
