Crit bike geometry - Triathlon Week

Raoul in L.A. · 02-02-2003, 07:12 AM

What is crit bike geometry & why is that benefial to crits??????

these good crit bikes?

specialized e5 road (mario c. model)
giant tcr (O.N.C.E. model)

CajunRider · 11-19-2003, 11:31 PM

I am not 100% sure but from what I remember criterion bikes are built with a shorter rear triangle and a sharp rake. The result is a bike that's very responsive and very easy to turn so the rider can maneuver around opponents during a criterion race. In this respect, the criterion bike is very similar to the crotch rocket motorcycle (I oughtta know, I own one of them hehehe).

As far as rider body position, the criterion bike is set up for sprinting. Again this is done so the rider can sprint and overtake opponents during a criterion race. This body position is set up for maximum leg power. As a result, body aerodynamics is compromised to a certain degree.

If you are planning to do criterion races or short roadraces with lots of turns, that's the bike to have. If you are planning to use it for triathlon, I'd recommend against it because 1)Compromised aerodynamics requires more energy and 2)The body position forces you to use your hamstrings too much and you need to save them for the run. I know this because I used to ride a Cannondale Criterion bike and bricks were especially tough on my old creaky body with that bike. I now use a Softride and bricks are a bit easier.

I don't know much about the bikes you asked but if they allow you to test then simply ride them and break into multiple sprints and sharp turns and pay attention to the bike response and how your legs feel afterward. If the bike responses well and your legs feel equally tired on both the quads and the hamstrings then it's a good criterion bike.