This is a no-holds-barred triathlon machine—no restrictions, no limitations. The CADEX Tri frameset is designed, engineered and put to the test by the world’s fastest triathletes in a bold quest to push the sport forward. Created in conjunction with Ironman World Champion Kristian Blumenfeld's attempt to break the seven-hour mark for the Ironman distance, a project dubbed Sub7, it features a radical monocoque frame, wide-spread fork legs and horizontal seat stays. The massive down tube doubles as a race-ready storage system, making hydration and nutrition easily accessible. And its wide-ranging adjustability makes it quick and easy to dial in over 1,000 fit configurations for personalized performance
Want proof? Look no further than the Ironman World Championships at St. George. That’s where Kristian Blumenfeld used his prototype CADEX Tri frame to win it all in his first-ever attempt at the Ironman Worlds. Kristian has played a major role in the development of this bike. He’s the perfect athlete to push things forward, known for his hard-charging race style, relentless training, and unwillingness to accept status quo. That’s how Kristian broke the Ironman 70.3 world record by five minutes and it’s how he became the first triathlete to win the Olympics and Ironman World Championship in a one-year span.
The CADEX Tri frameset was also a key factor in Kristian’s historic Sub7 victory, when he smashed the seven-hour mark for the Ironman distance. Working with a supporting cast of sports scientists, athletes and technicians including the CADEX engineering team, Kristian did what had been previously thought impossible, crossing the line with an astounding time of 6:44:25.
That’s what this bike was made for. To set new PRs. To smash records. To reimagine what’s possible in the sport of triathlon.
One of the most fundamental performance factors of a triathlon bike is how it fits the athlete. There’s a reason that pro triathletes and their coaches go to great lengths to get this right—a perfect fit allows the rider to produce maximum power in the most aerodynamic position possible while remaining comfortable over long distances.
A primary objective of the CADEX Tri frameset was to make it easier for athletes of all heights and body dimensions to achieve a perfect fit. The CADEX engineering team started by collecting real-world dimensional data from 150 pro and amateur triathletes. This process led to the creation of five frame sizes: XXS, XS, S, M, and L.
From there, the team looked at stack and reach data, then configured ways for any rider, no matter what frame size they choose, to easily adjust these critical fit factors with greater ease. It’s not just about height, leg length and body proportions. Athletes with similar body dimensions can have very different bike setups depending on variables such as flexibility, core strength and preferred race distance.
Beyond frame size, having a perfect fit comes down to adjusting the key contact points including the pedals, saddle, base bar, arm rests and bar extensions. The CADEX Tri bike makes it easy to adjust the cockpit components using simple hardware.
The overall structure of the cockpit is integrated, but the setups are independent. The arm extensions, designed in collaboration with leading components manufacturer Sync Ergonomics, can be moved forward and backward, and the angles can be changed without the hassle of removing any spacers. This system allows you to raise or lower stack height without moving the extension bars. And the quick-release spacer system allows the cable routing to remain in place while making these adjustments.
The effective seat tube angle can be adjusted by changing the saddle setback position. The rear clamp on the seat post provides an independent fore/aft saddle adjustment range of 70mm. When the saddle is pushed all the way to the rear setting (red line), the effective seat tube angle is 76 degrees. In its most forward position (green line) the seat tube angle is 80 degrees.
For Ironman triathletes like Kristian Blumenfeld, all these adjustment possibilities add up to the winning formula. “We are constantly looking for ways to improve aerodynamics, pedaling efficiency and of course comfort,” Blumenfeld said. “Over the course of 180km, small changes add up. And sometimes what works in the wind-tunnel doesn’t work as well out on the road. Having the ability to make these adjustments quickly and easily is a game-changer when you’re trying to optimize your position and fit.”
From the outset, the ultimate goal of the CADEX Tri project was to produce a bike with uncompromised efficiency for real world Ironman racing. Making the frame super aero, light and stiff just for the lab wasn’t enough. It had to win where it counts: on the course.
