What Time Trial bike to buy???

[spire]

I've been doing time trials for some years on my road bike.

Although I view TTs as a battle against yourself, I've finally got fed up with being beaten by people on TT bikes that I beat when they are on road bikes.

I don't want to be wildly extravagant and thought this would be good:

http://www.tredz.co....-Bike_20947.htm

I don't know much about TT bikes, so would welcome some input.

Thanks.

 

[e-rider]

A FOCUS (German brand from Hamburg) TT bike is currently on offer at Wiggle.co.uk for £999 reduced from £1599


Looks like a bargain and not too expensive - I'd be surprised if you find a cheaper TT bike!

Never tried one though so couldn't comment on the ride.


I'd say £2000 was 'fairly' wildly extravagant for a first TT bike! All depends on income I guess. And neither of the bikes come with deep V section rims or a rear disc so that's a stack more money to think about. Aero helmet another £100+

 

[dan_bo]

That transition looks F***ing mint.

 

[dan_bo]

Although the stock wheels are a bit naff.

 

[Will1985]

A TT frame will put you in a better position to be more aerodynamic and therefore go faster for the same effort, although you must do some training on the bike to allow the hip flexors to get used to another position.

It hardly matters which one you get - people harp on about the aerodynamics of a bike and how it is the fastest on the world, but nothing really compares to the big wind block sitting on the top of it. Have you considered aero wheels as well? It's all very well thinking that people are beating you because of their equipment, but if they have aero wheels and you don't, they still have a bit of an advantage.

Have you got a pointy helmet? I've found that this makes a pretty big difference even on a road bike.

Out of interest, what sort of times are you doing, and which courses are you riding?

 

[frank9755]

A TT frame will put you in a better position to be more aerodynamic and therefore go faster for the same effort, although you must do some training on the bike to allow the hip flexors to get used to another position.

It hardly matters which one you get - people harp on about the aerodynamics of a bike and how it is the fastest on the world, but nothing really compares to the big wind block sitting on the top of it.

Agree with all of that.

I would say that it doesn't much matter which TT bike you get (new, second hand) but it is worth investing time and money in getting it set up right for you. If you are anywhere near Lancashire, take it to Paul Hewitt and what he will do for your riding position will take more off your times than investing thousands of pounds on the very best new kit will.

I got a decent second hand TT bike earlier in the summer, had it fitted to me (major changes in stem, saddle height, aero bar position) and took 9 minutes off my 25 mile PB. I had done a lot of cycling (several thousand miles) as well so can't put it all down to the fit but I feel it was a factor.

Good luck!

 

[RedBike]

I can't help but think that you'd be better off spending your 2k on a top end set of carbon wheels and a dedicated (not clip-on) set of tri-bars for a standard roadbike.


If you want the complete package then Planet-x's time trial bike really takes some beating. Their wheels aren't bad either if you're on a budget.

 

[spire]

A TT frame will put you in a better position to be more aerodynamic and therefore go faster for the same effort, although you must do some training on the bike to allow the hip flexors to get used to another position.

It hardly matters which one you get - people harp on about the aerodynamics of a bike and how it is the fastest on the world, but nothing really compares to the big wind block sitting on the top of it. Have you considered aero wheels as well? It's all very well thinking that people are beating you because of their equipment, but if they have aero wheels and you don't, they still have a bit of an advantage.

Have you got a pointy helmet? I've found that this makes a pretty big difference even on a road bike.

Out of interest, what sort of times are you doing, and which courses are you riding?

I have no TT gear at all, but my road bike is a good 'un – all carbon.

I'm doing 10 mile TTs in 25 mins.

 

[spire]

I can't help but think that you'd be better off spending your 2k on a top end set of carbon wheels and a dedicated (not clip-on) set of tri-bars for a standard roadbike.


If you want the complete package then Planet-x's time trial bike really takes some beating. Their wheels aren't bad either if you're on a budget.

Don't really want dedicated bars as i assume they have to stay on. Clip-ons are not possible because road bike has carbon bars.

 

[RedBike]

I have no TT gear at all, but my road bike is a good 'un – all carbon.

I'm doing 10 mile TTs in 25 mins.

Don't really want dedicated bars as i assume they have to stay on. Clip-ons are not possible because road bike has carbon bars.

I actually meant to buy a cheap second-hand/new road bike and fit the bars to that.


To time trial quicker the things that arguably make the most difference (In order) are
1. Your position on the bike.
2. The wheels
3. Clothing
4. The bikes frame/groupset.


1. If you want to go faster for any given power output then you need to be more areodynamic. Potentialy the biggest area for improvement is the shape/ frontal area you present to the wind. Moving from riding on the tops of standard bars to using a set of correctly set-up tri-bars will knock more seconds off your time than anything else.

2. A set of deep section carbon wheels, maybe even a disc wheel will really make a big difference over a set of standard wheels. Again its all about areodyanics. A disc wheel weighes a lot more than a normal road wheel!

3. A pointy hat, overshoes. Anything you can find to help the air flow easier past you.

4. Having the cables tucked away and the frame as areodynamic as possible (within the rules) does make a difference but we're only talking about fractions of a second. The biggest advantage of a dedicated time trial frame isn't all those squashed looking tubes, its the way it forces you into an areodynamic riding position.

 

[Will1985]

Disagree - tight fitting clothing and aero helmet save more time than aero wheels. My personal experience is that normal bibshorts and jersey cost me more time than when I change my H3 or Jet 60s to Campag Zondas.

On the other hand, aero wheels have proportionally more benefit to slower riders.

 

[palinurus]

My personal experience is that normal bibshorts and jersey cost me more time than when I change my H3 or Jet 60s to Campag Zondas.

That's done it, skinsuit for next season. Ta.

 

[andy_wrx]

Disagree - tight fitting clothing and aero helmet save more time than aero wheels. My personal experience is that normal bibshorts and jersey cost me more time than when I change my H3 or Jet 60s to Campag Zondas.

On the other hand, aero wheels have proportionally more benefit to slower riders.

Agreed.

I remember a magazine article where they attempted to assess the time benefit of various things and then give a seconds-saved-per-£-spent grading for it.

Position was top of the list in terms of time saved - and free, if it just involved adjusting things like spacers under stem and saddle back-and-forwards

Similarly getting tight-fitting clothing, rather than wearing a flappy jersey.

Clip-on aerobars were next, as they got the position a lot better and were pretty cheap

A pointy helmet saved a fair amount of time, and you can pick up one 2nd hand on eBay for £50-upwards

Deep-rim carbon wheels, however, saved considerably less time than the helmet, and are very expensive, so the sec-per-£ was very low

A dedicated TT frame again was least effective of all - very expensive, the benefit of frametube aerodynamics and concealed cables wasn't very much at all, sec-per-£ minimal

 

[spire]

I have a nine-year old Trek 2200, which I don't use. Could that be upgraded to TT spec, or would that just be a bit sad?

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

I have a Felt S22 which I got off ebay (of all places). It was a 2007 model I got for £600.

Seeing as it's my first TT bike, I quite like it, it is nothing majorly serious, and I am really 'growing into it'.

The chain seems to come off a lot after anything resembling a small pothole, but I don't know if that's a standard problem or whether I just need to renew the relevant bits and pieces! (more likely).

In terms of speed and aerodynamics, you could do a LOT worse though (I couldn't get over how fast it was when I first got it), and a new model probably won't have the same problems mine does (I can practically get the chain back on to certain bits whilst I'm still moving! ).