How much is my bike holding me back?

[plank]

Hiya, I'm going to do some time trials this summer but was just wondering how much my bike is holding me back at the moment. I've got a dawes audax, Im not sure what year it is, I think 2007? in full touring mode, saddle bag and rack and lock on the back with mountain bike clips I tried riding 10 miles and but couldnt find a run without a few traffic lights and junctions and managed it just over 30 mins.

Any ideas how much time I could shave off by spending what on a new bike? I think ill end up getting one on the ride to work scheme when the weathers a bit nicer.

I hope this is in the right place!

Thanks!

 

[Chuffy]

Know How might be a better place for this.

Your bike is fine for starting to TT. Just lose the salad (saddle bag, lock etc) and invest in some cheap clip-on tri-bars (about £35 for the cheapest I think). That is all you'll need to start with and you should be able to go well under 30 minutes if you get a clear run. Oh and if you haven't got proper road shoes (as opposed to softer leisure/touring shoes) then they will also make a big difference. Racing tyres, rather than sturdy touring tyres will help too.

'Proper' TT bikes, aero wheels, streamlined helmets and all that expensive carbon jazz are all about shaving a few more seconds off a time that's already pretty good. You need to get to that stage first before you need to worry about whether your bike is any good.

 

[Chuffy]

Oh and welcome to the Forum!

 

[MadoneRider1991]

just get rid of all the touring stuff and get clip-ons like Chuffy said, i have some real cheap clip-ons if you like

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Proper road pedals will make a difference - it's all about contact area. But as Chuffy said, try it first. Getting under 30 your first time on any bike is hard enough...

 

[plank]

Thanks for the replies! I will probably get new pedals and shoes now but save the tri bars and racing tyres for the new bike! I swapped to some thicker tyres as I was getting 1 or 2 punctures a week on the standard ones!!

 

[l4dva]

Hi guys,

Sorry to ask a daft question, ive herd TT's mentioned on this forum a few times.....What is it all about exactly?? (I clearly haven't a clue)

 

[Flying_Monkey]

A Time Trial is a cycling event that takes place over a set distance. In the UK, it is usually 10 or 25 miles although there are longer ones of 50 or 100 miles, and also shorter 'hill-climb' time trials.

They usually take place over the measured distance on public roads, generally a circular route so you end up where you started. Riders start off at regular intervals (1 or 2 minutes normally) and try to complete the course as quickly as possible, Some events are competitive, but some people do them just to try to better their own best time.

In the UK, most time trials are run by local cycling clubs authorised by British Cycling or by the specialist time trial organisation, the RTTC.

 

[plank]

There are also 12 hour time trials! Im going to do one this year

 

[l4dva]

Ahh right thanks for enlightening me!

Sounds like something I'd like to try out one day. Well the shorter distances anyway.