Standard roller
General daylight control, privacy, glare. Fascia or fascia-free; light gaps as small as 9/16 in.
Canada Integrator & Specifier Guide
Lutron Triathlon Shades in Canada
Triathlon is Lutron's battery-first (and optionally wired) shading platform — roller, WIDR, honeycomb, and Roman shades — engineered for integrators specifying into RA2 Select, RadioRA 3, and Caséta Pro, not retail DIY.
- See the full Triathlon lineup beyond Select: WIDR wide-span rollers, honeycomb, and the Roman fabrication kit.
- Compare Triathlon, Triathlon Select, and Serena before you choose a lane for a project.
Already sure a job is roller-only and simple? The Triathlon Select fit guide is the faster read for that lane.
Battery-first (and optionally wired) roller, honeycomb, and Roman shades built for professional integration.
Overview
What Triathlon is
Lutron's battery-first (and optionally wired) shading platform for professional integration — not a single product, but a family.
Triathlon sits between Lutron's consumer-oriented Serena line and its premium architectural Sivoia QS / Palladiom tiers. It keeps battery-first, wire-free installability while adding the system compatibility, custom sizing, and commissioning tools a dealer-grade job needs.
Platform hierarchy
Where Triathlon sits in Lutron's shading lineup
Five tiers, from consumer DIY to ultra-architectural.
| Tier | Product | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Consumer | Serena | DIY homeowners, Caséta (standard Smart Bridge) only |
| Simplified pro roller | Triathlon Select | Fast-quote, exposed-roll roller shades |
| Full pro platform | Triathlon | Roller, WIDR, honeycomb, and Roman kit — custom architectural jobs |
| Premium exposed aesthetic | Palladiom | Contemporary design where exposed hardware is intentional |
| Wired architectural | Sivoia QS / Sivoia QS Wireless | Large shades, difficult-access locations, wired power |
Triathlon Select is the right lane for straightforward single-roller jobs — see the dedicated fit guide. This page covers the full platform for jobs that need more than a simplified roller.
Decision table
Triathlon vs. Triathlon Select vs. Serena
The evidence-grounded differentiator is system compatibility and commissioning tooling, not "retail vs. pro."
| Triathlon | Triathlon Select | Serena | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positioning | Full custom architectural integration | Fast-quote, simplified option set | Consumer / retail-adjacent DIY |
| Shade types | Roller, WIDR roller, honeycomb, Roman kit | Roller only, open/exposed roll | Roller, honeycomb (consumer catalog) |
| System compatibility | RA3, RA2 Select, Caséta PRO | Same Type A ecosystems as Triathlon | Caséta (standard Smart Bridge) only |
| Battery life | 3–5 yrs typical (2 cycles/day) | 2 yrs typical (1 cycle/day) | Per Lutron consumer spec, varies |
| Best for | Whole-home / architectural jobs | Multi-room specs on a schedule | Homeowner self-install, Caséta-only |
Shade types
Five shade types on one platform
Everything Triathlon Select doesn't cover.
WIDR roller
Reinforced tube sizing for wide spans, up to 144 in — reduces sag and deflection on large glazing.
Insulating honeycomb
Cellular fabric for thermal comfort and privacy; cordless-manual option available.
Architectural honeycomb
¾ in cell, light-blocking top back cover, 0.125 in side light gaps — refined headrail aesthetic.
Roman fabrication kit
Custom-fabric Roman shades on a motorized lift; requires correct spring balancing at install.
Published facts
Core specs by product line
Confirm exact figures per SKU using Lutron's current ordering tool before quoting.
| Parameter | Roller | Honeycomb | Select roller |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power options | Battery / plug-in / 12V panel | Battery / wired / manual | Battery only |
| Battery type | D-cell alkaline | D-cell or AA, by width | D-cell alkaline |
| Motor torque / speed | 2.0 in-lb / 3.6 in/s | 2.5 in-lb / 1.8 in/s | 4.0 in-lb / 2.5 in/s |
| Noise @ 3 ft | <38 dBA | <44 dBA | 44 dBA |
| RF technology | ClearConnect Type A — 434 MHz, FCC 15.231-based, low-density star topology | ||
| Wireless range | 30 ft to processor/repeater; RA3 architecture plans 30 ft to devices, 60 ft between repeaters | ||
| Alignment | Intelligent Hembar Alignment (IHA) — closed-loop speed control, ±1/8 in (0.125 in) stop increments, compensates for battery voltage and fabric weight | ||
| Max sizing | Std. ~108 in; WIDR to 144 in | To 96 in W (architectural) | 108 in |
| Operating environment | 32–104°F (0–40°C) indoor, RH <90% non-condensing | ||
| Regulatory marks | IC (Canada) + cULus listed (UL file E135084 referenced across current specs) | ||
Key terms
- Triathlon
- Lutron's full battery-first (and optionally wired) shading platform: roller, WIDR, honeycomb, and Roman kit, for RA2 Select / RA3 / Caséta Pro integration.
- WIDR
- Width Integrated Deflection Reduction — reinforced tube sizing for wide spans, calculated by Lutron's ordering tool.
- ClearConnect Type A
- Sub-GHz (434 MHz), FCC 15.231-based wireless protocol used by Triathlon shades in a hub-and-spoke topology.
- Intelligent Hembar Alignment (IHA)
- Closed-loop speed control that keeps grouped shades aligned within ±1/8 in, compensating for battery voltage and fabric weight.
System compatibility
Built to sit inside a real control system
Plan RF layout for a hybrid environment, not a single protocol.
RadioRA 3
RA2 Select
Caséta Smart Bridge PRO
Triathlon shades operate on ClearConnect Type A (434 MHz), a sub-GHz protocol tuned for low-density, battery-powered devices. RA3 hosts a hybrid architecture — Type A for shades alongside Type X (2.4 GHz) for Sunnata lighting — so plan RF layout for both. RA3 exposes a LEAP API for third-party A/V and security integration; confirm shade control support per driver/platform before committing to a scene design.
Field notes
Mistakes that show up after handover, not at rough-in
- Type A range isn't a mesh network — plan 30 ft device separation and place repeaters deliberately.
- Keep the RA3 processor 5 ft from Wi-Fi routers, access points, and microwaves.
- Don't bury battery access behind millwork without confirming removal clearance.
- Avoid grouping sensors and shades on the same RF link where battery life is critical.
- In multi-unit buildings, change the shade's default channel to avoid neighbouring-system wake-ups.
- Power type is fixed at order time — battery and wired are different SKUs, not a field conversion.
- Natural Light Optimization (NLO) increases motion count — factor extra cycles into battery-life expectations.
- Size WIDR spans with Lutron's ordering tool, not by eye, to avoid tube deflection.
Canada notes
What changes north of the border
Regulatory & climate
- Current specs list IC (Canada) alongside cULus — confirm the IC ID for the exact shipping SKU.
- Battery-powered drives are rated for conditioned interior space (0–40°C). Unconditioned garages and cottages shorten battery life.
Construction reality
Condo and MURB construction attenuates RF more than wood-frame builds.
- Plan repeater placement generously in Canadian mid/high-rise projects.
- Watch perimeter performance around cold glazing and weak envelopes.
Getting set up
Triathlon is gated — here's the path to selling it
Two tracks run in parallel: Lutron's Shade Essentials certification, and the Lutron Preferred Pro program.
- Complete Shade Essentials training via myLutron → LCI Online → Residential Product Training & Qualification → Shade Essentials: online prework (course OVW 551, ~2 hrs), a training session (in-person or remote through Simply Controlled), then a final exam and postwork.
- Purchase one demo unit plus the mandatory CLASSICO-BNDR binder. Current demo SKUs: RB-DEMO-SHL-ARC (charcoal shade / black architectural fascia), RB-DEMO-MIR-ARC (tan shade / bronze architectural fascia), RB-DEMO-HAR-FAB (white shade / white fabric-wrapped fascia).
- Join Lutron Preferred Pro (free, ~10 min) and complete the Triathlon Skill-Builder track — it adds Triathlon expertise to your Find an Installer listing and unlocks a training shade up to 48×80 in for $50.
Preferred Pro tiers
- Member ($0–1,999 logged) — training tracks, sample products
- Bronze ($2,000+) — + Find an Installer listing
- Silver ($5,000+) — + expert tech support hotline
- Gold ($10,000+) — + early access to new products
- Platinum ($25,000+) — + Lutron App Assist for clients
Tier is based on rolling 12-month logged value at Lutron list price, not what you actually pay.
Already decided on Triathlon Select, or ready to link a distributor?
Account setup, distributor-linking, and first-quote QA are covered step-by-step in our dedicated onboarding guide.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Triathlon and Triathlon Select?
Triathlon Select is a simplified, roller-only, exposed-roll lane for fast quoting. Standard Triathlon adds WIDR wide-span rollers, honeycomb, and the Roman fabrication kit, with broader sizing and fascia options — same RF platform and system compatibility.
What shade types does standard Triathlon include beyond roller?
WIDR (wide-span) roller, insulating honeycomb, architectural honeycomb, and a Roman fabrication kit for custom-fabric motorized Roman shades.
What is WIDR?
Width Integrated Deflection Reduction — reinforced tube sizing for wide spans up to 144 in, calculated by Lutron's ordering tool rather than chosen manually.
What systems is Triathlon compatible with?
RadioRA 3, RA2 Select, and Caséta Smart Bridge PRO — not the standard consumer Smart Bridge.
How long do Triathlon batteries typically last?
3–5 years typical for standard roller and honeycomb at roughly two cycles per day; Triathlon Select is a shorter, simplified 2-year story. Real battery life depends on cycle count, RF traffic, and fabric.
Do I need Lutron Preferred Pro to sell Triathlon?
No — Preferred Pro is a separate, free Lutron loyalty program. Selling Triathlon requires Shade Essentials training and a demo unit purchase; Preferred Pro adds tier-based rewards on top of that.
Dealer support
Need Triathlon spec sheets or BOM support?
Route directly to our Sales / Quotes / BOM Review lane for spec help and compatibility checks.
Calgary-based, Mon–Fri 8am–4:30pm MT. Call (403) 275-4565 or email support@simplycontrolled.ca.
Sources and transparency
Compiled from Lutron technical documentation, spec submittals, and application notes. No pricing implied — contact Simply Controlled for current dealer terms. (403) 275-4565 · support@simplycontrolled.ca