Why a Tri-athlete bike?

[RodTi]

So here's one I might have missed, but has been bugging me for yonks.

 

I get why a Time Trial/TT bike looks the way it does, since it no doubt serves the exact purpose it was designed for.

 

But please tell me why a Tri-athlete's bike is designed the way it is? Am I wrong or do you get tri-athlete specific bikes? I imagine I've seen them advertised before - and the gist of the marketing seems to suggest its a very race/event-specific design.

 

If so - why? Why don't they simply use normal road bikes or TT bikes?

 

Thanks!