Which TT Bike???

Burton

Considering buying a Felt B2, anyone know if they are any good? Looks nice if that's any indication! Going for a 2007 model in the end of season sales.....

Quick answers needed as I want to get it bought soon.

Thanks in anticipation

Right, popped into town to check the sizes of Felt bikes, and came across a Scott Plasma Pro for £100 less than the Felt B2. Both 2007 models, both discounted, limited stock etc etc
What would anyone suggest the best bike would be?

Burton

Bump

Burton

final bump!
Are there no TT'ers on here then? Or even anyone with any experience of the brands?

Ashley_R

Bought a Planet X Steath this summer, really pleased with it

A friend bought a Scott Plasma about the same time, not much between us before hand, not much now either

The Planet X is fantastic value for money IMO, looks the works!!

BeaconRuth

Yeah, I do some time trials. The trouble with answering a question like this is that when you get into buying TT-specific frames, everything's highly personal and more a matter of 'taste' than anything else. People rave about frames because they 'look fast' or because 'it's a beauty' but, in reality, what does it matter which frame you ride as long as you can go fast on it? I ride a Trek which gets looked down upon by the afficianados - nasty mass-produced American 'tat' - but it doesn't seem to do my speed any harm for all that. Your performance will be far more affected by your training and, say, what you ate the night before your race than the brand of the TT-specific frame you're riding.

Make sure the frame angles are what you need - I've known people who feel very uncomfortable on a frame with a very severe seat-tube angle, although personally I've always hopped on any bike and felt perfectly fine.

Other than that, if it appeals to you, go for it!

Ruth

bryanm

So just out of interest what do you ride TT's on Ruth? After a moderately succesful duathlon debut a few weeks back (just don't mention the bike leg!) I'm interested in a TT bike for a few more so any pointers to what's good and bad would be useful.

Cheers,

edit,
doh, just re-read your post - Trek isn't it?

Burton

Looks wise I think the Felt is an awesome looking bike and spec wise seems good value for money, Scott is a well respected brand, hence the difficulties choosing!
The Planet-x ticks lots of boxes, especially in the vfm stakes, just too many choices!

BeaconRuth

Bryanm - you get what you pay for. Elite specialists (and lots of not-so-elite-specialists who like to drool over bikes anyway ) may argue that the wind-tunnel testing for one frame has been more thorough than for another, but you can wipe away that whole advantage in a stroke by having a less-than-perfect racing position, a non-aero helmet or even wrinkles in your skinsuit. If you pay a lot for a frame you're unlikely to get a 'bad' one. Take care with the frame dimensions, but otherwise it really does come down to your budget and your taste. Where are you based? Might be worth starting to go round some good bike shops and see what's on offer?

Burton - if you can afford the Felt and that's the one that's 'won you over' then go for it! The last thing you'd want to do is get the Scott and then spend the next season wishing you'd gone with your heart. Taking a great pride in your bike seems an extremely important aspect of time-trialling to you blokes.

Ruth

bryanm

BeaconRuth wrote:

Bryanm - you get what you pay for. Elite specialists (and lots of not-so-elite-specialists who like to drool over bikes anyway ) may argue that the wind-tunnel testing for one frame has been more thorough than for another, but you can wipe away that whole advantage in a stroke by having a less-than-perfect racing position, a non-aero helmet or even wrinkles in your skinsuit. If you pay a lot for a frame you're unlikely to get a 'bad' one. Take care with the frame dimensions, but otherwise it really does come down to your budget and your taste. Where are you based? Might be worth starting to go round some good bike shops and see what's on offer?
Ruth

Just south of Derby, you recommended Yvonne McGregor and Ken Matheson on another thread for me the other day for bike setup, they would be very easy to get to and I know my bike isn't set up well - more to the point it's never been set up!, but I don't really know where to go for a new bike itself, which I know I need if I'm going to take duathlons anywhere close to serious.

Wrinkled skinsuit? Who do you think I am Nora Batty? :shock:

Jeff Jones

Just a note to say we've got a review of the Planet X Stealth Carbon Pro which will be posted on Friday. I liked it.

I doubt whether you'll wrong with a Felt. Nor a Trek, Cervelo or Argon18 for that matter. It depends on which one takes your fancy and your budget.

blackhands

I saw some data on aero frames which showed that the Cervelo TT frame was mile smore aerodynamic than any of the others in the pro peleton and that the Cervelo road frame was more aerodynamic than half the TT frames in the pro peleton. (The data were from Specialized)

However as the aerodynamic properties of the frame will only have a minimal effect and the aerodynamics of the rider are more important Ruth is dead right - get yourself in the best position on the frame you like the look of. PX frames are used in the Tour BTW.

BeaconRuth

bryanm wrote:

Just south of Derby, you recommended Yvonne McGregor and Ken Matheson on another thread for me the other day for bike setup, they would be very easy to get to and I know my bike isn't set up well - more to the point it's never been set up!, but I don't really know where to go for a new bike itself, which I know I need if I'm going to take duathlons anywhere close to serious.

You may be best to get some advice about your set-up first and then at least you'll have a good idea which frame geometry and size would suit you best.

Most good bike shops will sell you a TT frame (or complete bike) of the brands they stock, but the choice in any one shop is likely to be limited, so I'd advise you to go round several shops - or at least to trawl manufacturers' websites for detailed specs and RRPs. Bridgetown Cycles in Cannock would be worth a visit - they have a huge amount of stock and I think you'll find them very friendly and helpful. Also, a highly specialist shop I'd recommend, though it would be a bit of a trek for you, is Echelon in Pershore near Evesham. Their enthusiasm for and knowledge of TT bikes and their helpfulness would be hard to beat. Check their website for when they're open before setting off though - they're so specialist they're not open every day.

Wrinkled skinsuit? Who do you think I am Nora Batty? :shock:

You may not be, but I am. A new skinsuit is going to transform my performances next year........... maybe

Ruth

chrisw12

My two pence worth.

Fit is very important and as advised get someone to have a look at you, but if time is of the essence and your looking at a deal that might go away, you can get most bike to fit as long as you have a reasonable starting poiint. Not ideal advice but, the deal, the deal...

I'm not sure how aero the plasma is by the way, the 'experts' over on slowtwitch.com have done some measurements and the tubes are a bit on the wide side for being aero. Remember in general thinner is better from an aero perspective. The felt on the other hand does look the real deal in terms of aeroness.

Burton

Have to say I am leaning towards the Felt although it's the more difficult choice in terms of actually getting it, mail order only now.
I ride a 57 Bianchi 928n normally which is at th etop end of my size range, 56 would have been ideal. I have heard drop a size for a TT bike, in this case it would mean a 54, I fitted (roughly) on the 54 scott that I tried so I'm guessing the Felt would need to be a 54 also, assuming there is any truth in that story?

Burton

Well I got myself measured up and have gone for the Felt B2 in a 56cm size. Collect next week from Winstanleys in Wigan. Can't wait!!