Time trials - road or TT bike?

Shakka

I've think been bitten by the time trial bug. I completed my second time trial last night - just under 13 miles in 33 minutes 20 seconds - average speed just under 23mph (flatish course in the Fens) - so I'm quite chuffed, really enjoyed it as well. I've been using my road bike with clamp on aero bars, which certainly makes a difference.

I'm already at the stage now, where the only people beating me are those with proper time trial bikes. It's not that I'm really good, it's just the number participating is fairly small - just 14 last night.

Anyone else been in this position, where those above you are on better equipment? I must admit it's tempting to splash the cash on a TT specific bike. (If so, any recommendations, price & model for an entry level one). Though when I have my sensible head on, I think I should continue this season with the road bike, look to improve my times over several distances - from 10's to 25's, and think about parting with my dosh next year. Or may be I should stick with the road bike, and look to make the time difference smaller between myself and those on their TT bikes next year.

Any advice?

Unknown

If I do a time trial its just me and the clock.
If you want to get involved with challenging other then it can become very, very expensive.

But in the end its up to you.

enjoy it

george

_________________________________
Trips
South America
www.pedalpatagonia.co.uk
Europe
http://europejibi.googlepages.com

2 Bikes
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/imjibi/Bikes

mossycp

I have this same dilemma having started TTing this year.

My view is that if I'm going to buy one anyway, why not buy it now? What difference does it make to wait? I have the money now so why not spend it?

I don't actually think it's going to make me much quicker, the main reason for me is just the convenience of not having to take the aero bars off and on the road bike all the time. Is my laziness worth œ1500 or so though? There are a few that I beat who ride full on TT bikes and a lot that can beat me on standard road bikes with no aero bars. Who cares!? It's purely the fact that I'm riding 10 miles TT's that's making me quicker at 10 mile TT's. After a year or so of riding them is when the benefit of a TT bike would start to make a difference.

Anyway, I haven't bought one yet, just can't seem to justify it really. Planet-X are very popular and good value. Locally we seem to have a lot of Orbea's, some Scott Plasma's, a couple of Planet-X's but mostly older frames that have been aeroized with TT bars etc.

I'm still with the sensible head at the moment!

<font color="blue"><h5>Today is your day, your mountain is waiting, so get on your way {Dr Seus}</h5></font id="blue">

PeteinSQ

If you really like doing TTs (and plan on carrying on doing them) and have the spare cash, you might as well buy the TT bike. Your times will still get quicker and you will get still get fitter.

However if you don't have the cash you should probably save up until you do rather than borrowing it (sound advice for any purchase if you ask me). Also if you think you might go off TTs I wouldn't buy one, they don't make very good commuters!

piedwagtail91

i'd agree with peteinsq, wait until you're absolutely sure you want to make a go of tt's, or you stop improving on your current bike as the tt bikes are useless for anything else.

schlepcycling

Shakka - If you do decide to get a TT specific bike then I can recommend Planet-X, their stealth pro carbon builds start at œ1299 and are great, I took delivery of a dura-ace build one (œ1499) and did my fastest '10' of the year on my first outing. [:D]

665 The Neighbour of the Beast

blackhands

People hace done short 19 minute 10's on road bikes without tri bars so youv'e a way to go yet. Why not buy a pair of planet X wheels with some fast tubs on (say Veloflex Records, Vittoria Chronos or Conti Tempos) - after that a pointy hat and from there on its a case of diminishing returns.

stevejmo7

alternative - I built a tt bike with a new frame, brakes, tri bars, all from ebay, other parts from club bring and buy, old parts etc for about œ400. Valued at œ1200 new for old when it got nicked. Did a pb by 2 mins on it in first 10 of the year. Still use old Bianchi road bike for training and put clip on tri bars for races in the wet and interval sessions.