AERO POSITION

Above 28 km/h, air resistance is the main obstacle a rider has to overcome when trying to turn pedal power into propulsion as effectively as possible. With respect to this, an aerodynamically optimized bike of course means a substantial advantage. Nevertheless, most air resistance is caused by the athlete her/himself. That’s why TT and triathlon specialists minimize the resistance factor between forehead area and headwind by using their arms as “air deflectors” on top of their aero handlebars – always with the objective to generate as little swirl as possible when the airflow is routed past the body.

TRIATHLON OR TT MACHINE?

This aero position becomes all the more uncomfortable the “lower” an athlete cycles to minimize air resistance. Simultaneously, an extremely sharp angle between spine and thighs affects muscular efficiency and respiration. However, resulting pedal power losses step back behind the aerodynamic advantage as long as cycling speed is high enough. Most TT distances range between 5 and 50 km. Therefore, the athlete has to keep up her/his top performance in the exhausting aero position over a maximum of 70 minutes – endurable if training level and ambition are equally high.

Triathlon is a completely different matter: Given an Ironman cycling distance of 180 km, even an average speed of 40 km/h means 4.5 hours of pedalling until crossing the finish line! In this case, too much “suffering in the saddle” only affects the rider’s physique and last but not least also the end result.

MODULAR HEAD SYSTEM

So are there two different bikes necessary for TT and triathlon? No – ever since there is TIME WARP featuring the revolutionary MODULAR HEAD! This patent-pending head tube system allows two-step adjustment up to 40 mm without any mounting of conventional spacers! Short TT runs can be absolved with an extremely low handlebar position and corresponding aero advantage while Ironman athletes are able to use a comparatively longer head tube calibration for cycling their 180 km with considerably more comfort. Even more: During the course of the season, TIME WARP riders have the possibility to approach their optimal aero position by adapting handlebar height to increasing personal performance!

FRAME

The wide section shaped tubing consists of the same material turning the O.NINE into one of the lightest, but also stiffest and most comfortable MTB frames of our time: HM/UHM/IM carbon fibres processed with latest nano-matrix resin. Due to aerodynamic reasons, all cables are routed internally while the centrally controlled rear brake hides in protected position underneath a spoiler behind the BB housing. Simultaneously, the high sectioned, but flat-shaped rear stays also minimize air resistance while enhancing the already excellent lateral stiffness even more. Although our TIME WARP appears massive and powerful due to large surfaces and head tube volume, it is one of the lightest triathlon frames on the current market – already two filled water bottles are much heavier than one TIME WARP frame!

CONFIGURATION

We assume that most ambitious triathlon and TT athletes will favour an individual completion of their TIME WARP – in most cases, this frame will certainly be bought as kit version to enable a personal configuration. But there is also an alternative: All those preferring a consequent and “one-piece” solution can order a completely pre-mounted TIME WARP as shown beside and recommended by Juergen Falke, MERIDA’s Head of Design. 20 years after absolving his first Ironman competition on Hawaii, Juergen is already eager to utilize his “baby” for leaving a lasting impression in Kona – not only with respect to technology and visual appearance…