I have an upcoming reverse sprint race, with a 5k run, 16k bike, and swim, would you go with a tri or road bike with some shorty clip-ons? The bike has quite a few turns and many novice racers. Thanks.
Hard to say, but turns and novice racers might make me want to think about a road bike with clip-on bars. What is the terrain like. If it’s hilly then I’d go with the road bike for sure.
I vote for a good, aggresive road position with ITU style shorty aerobars. You will be able to make up time in each of the corners if you can carry speed through them effectively. It sounds like aerodynamics, as a factor, will be diminshed compared to a normal 40km time trial format. Acceleration and bike handling will likely be the determining factors in a solid performance. Good luck, be careful in the corners but get through them fast!