2017 Triathlon Bike Preview

Written by
Marc Lindsay
The triathlon season has come and gone, and no doubt you drooled over a few bikes in T1 this year. Wondering what’s in store for 2017? From $14,000 frames to bang-for-your-buck value, we’ve got the inside look at the best new triathlon bikes available in the coming year.
Cervelo P5x
$15,000
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This complete redesign of the P5, one of the fastest triathlon bikes in the world, has turned plenty of heads. While the ENVE 7.8 wheelset and SRAM eTAP build won't come cheap, we can promise you it will be plenty fast—so fast that it isn't quite UCI legal. All totaled, Cervelo claims the P5x will be around 25 to 45 seconds faster than the P5 over a 40 km distance. Its also got disc brakes, integrated storage compartments, and is much easier to disassemble for travel.
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Felt IA 16
$2,999
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For those of you who would rather spend that $15,000 on a car rather than a bike, the Felt IA 16 is an excellent option in the entry-level category. While the components are solid and the wheelset could use an upgrade, what you get here is a seriously good frame for the price. Felt uses internal molds (usually reserved for higher-end bikes) to reduce weight, maintain strength and reduce stress in critical areas. It also features a similar aerodynamic design as Felt's top tier tri bikes, cutting cost by using a slightly less expensive carbon fiber. All told, this bike offers true bang-for-your-buck value.
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Trek Speed Concept 7.5
$3,999
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While it won't be as flashy as some bikes on the market, the 2017 Speed Concept 7.5 is enough bike for almost anyone. It's comfortable, handles well and gets up to speed quicker than you'd expect—all things tri bikes aren't generally known for. SRAM Force components are plenty solid too, making this very fast bike a wheel upgrade away from a bike in a category twice its price.
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Giant Trinity Advanced Pro 2
$3,100
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You'll either love or hate the new color schemes on the Giant Trinity Advanced Pro 2. Aesthetics aside, the Trinity lineup stacks up well in wind tunnel numbers against some of the best bikes available. And while some bikes aren't quite so fast when you include hydration systems and storage compartments, the integration of these units on the Trinity means it's just as fast on the road as it is in the tunnel. Shimano Ultegra components and Giant's own PA-2 aero wheels complete the package.
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QuintanaRoo PRthree
$3,600
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Utilizing trickle-down technology from the higher priced PRfive and PRsix, the PRthree features a similar frame design and geometry to create a quality race bike at just a fraction of the price. It can also be built using only two hex wrenches, which makes disassembly a breeze, and is easily adjusted to dial in fit. The PRthree can be purchased in one of two builds—a Shimano 105 version that retails for $2,500, and a race wheel upgrade option for $3,600.
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Pinarello Bolide TT
$14,500 (frame only)
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That's right—almost $15,000 for a bike that does not include wheels, handlebars or any other components. What you will get for all that money is a frame and fork that's awfully close to the bike Bradley Wiggins rode to the hour record—which pretty much makes it the fastest bike on the planet (yes, Brad had something to do with it, too). While the standard Bolide frame is a bike fast enough for Tour de France winner Chris Froome, the 2017 TT version is 350 grams lighter without sacrificing any of its stiffness. New downtube shaping improves aerodynamics when used with a bottle, and a redesigned rear brake make small improvements to a bike that was already near perfect.
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Diamondback Andean
$4,779
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If there's one new bike we're excited to see, its Diamondback's Andean. Designed without the UCI in mind, Diamondback pushed the envelope to see just how fast a bike they could come up with in a world with no restrictions. Large airfoil sections stretching from wheel to wheel make its appearance more like a motorcycle than a bicycle, which the company claims improves straight-line aerodynamics as well as crosswinds—something we may need to see to believe. Each bike will be built according to your own specs in Diamondback's custom design house, with options ranging from $4,779 up to $8,069.
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Fuji Norcom Straight 2.1
$3,169
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If components and build matter to you, the Norcom Straight 2.1 deserves your consideration. You will find better frames at this price, but the mix of Shimano Ultegra components and Oval Concepts 950 wheels are as good as it's going to get at this price point—and will make a difference on race day. Fuji's C5 carbon and a redesigned bottom bracket is said to improve stiffness by about 26 percent, which should provide a noticeable difference in overall speed out on the road.
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Scott Plasma RC
$6,999
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First off, let's just say a bike at this price should have better wheels than the Syncros Race 22s. If it did, the RC might be able to reach up into superbike territory, because the frame really is that good. In fact, Sebastian Kienle won the World Championships in Kona on this bike—with, of course, a different wheelset. Shimano Ultegra Di2 and the Plasma 5 aero drink and storage boxes are included in the build.
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Orbea Ordu M30
$2,199
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Orbea has bikes at a very good value in its lineup, but the Ordu M30 might be the best of the bunch. A Vision cockpit, a Prologo saddle, Shimano 105 components and a strong and light OME carbon frame should make this a beginner's dream bike. And if you're looking for an even better component package for a slight uptick in price, the Ordu M20 ($2,689) and M20Di ($3,499) are other solid options for mid-level racing.
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About the Author

 Marc Lindsay

 

Marc writes gear reviews, training, and injury prevention articles for Active.com. He is also a contributor to LAVA Magazine, Competitor Magazine, and Gear Patrol.com. He is a certified Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) and earned his M.A. in Writing from Portland State University. Marc resides in Scottsdale, Arizona.