TT Conversion

[Garz]

Hi this seems to be the best section to ask the following:

Has anyone gone about converting their backup or older road bike and put proper TT bars on with gear levers etc?

The reason I am asking is I have my Boardman Comp which I still use however as it is an aggressive and fairly aero design it looks like it would be a good dedicated machine for TT's on the cheap.

I have briefly searched but have not come accross any guides but some of you may already have found some good ones or indeed achieved this process yourself.

Regards

Garz

 

[cyberknight]

Converted a raliegh 20 odd years ago from D/T shifters to bull horn bars with clip on aeros with the shifters moved onto a dedicated mount to use them as thumb shifters .

 

[Ian H]

As long as you can get the bars low enough to achieve a decent aero position it should work fine. Different makes of clip-on attach in various ways. You may need to check how much height they add to the bars.

 

[fossyant]

Ride the road bike with the aero bars at first. OK gear changes may be an ass, certainly not as good/handy as down tube shifters.

You should be able to sort it easy/cheap. Don't initially change the stem/seat pin - see how you go on, then change.

 

[Garz]

I did just this a couple of years ago.

Needed :
1. Reversible seat post
2. bars
3. brake levers
4. clip on tri-bars (re-used existing ones)
5. high rise stem (upside down)
6. bar end shifters
7. cables, bar tape etc

Worked reasonably well (my best 10 time is still on that bike) and didnt cost too much.

Excellent - thanks Rich. I have time on my side as I am in no hurry to do this so I can pick up the necessary parts if I spot a bargain.

 

[e-rider]

First of all I'd try:
1. TT specific saddle
2. Reversible seatpost such as Thomson layback or Profil Design 'fast forward'
3. Decent clip on areo bars

See how you get on with that setup. You might need a slightly shorter stem depending on what you have already, and get some aerobars that accept shifters in case you add those later

 

[Garz]

The stem on this machine is already pretty short I feel. My main bike is more relaxed being a tourer setup (Titanium) which had a bike fit when I purchased it, highlighting I can use a larger frame/stem as I have a long torso.

I forgot to take the aero bars with me on this journey so will add them the next time, will look for a seatpost as you guys suggest - thanks!