TT / Turbo Bike...

guinea

I've started doing a few 10s recently and fancy getting a TT bike to supplement the road bike. I've also been looking at training and fancy gettung a turbo. My work has been busy recently and coupled with the bad weather, I'm not getting the miles in.

So what I'd like is to find a decent TT bike that I can use for weekly TTs. I'd also use it for sessions on the turbo trainer whilst I still use my road bike where I can for getting the miles in.

I don't really have a specific bike or price range in mind, but I'd prefer campag kit as I have an old wheel I can use for the trainer to save me swapping the tyre over lots. However, for the right bike, this can be overlooked.

brownbosh

Firstly not carbon. If you are giong to use it on the turbo id advise against carbon fibre (as would many bike shops).

Monty Dog

I would only advise against carbon if you're a big heavy rider planning on gear-mashing sessions - this is another example of the fear-mongering, the 'carbon will shatter into a million pieces if you abuse it mentality'. Some manufacturers put the 'no turbo' exclusion in their warranties, just like the 'no racing' clause. AFAIK there's been no frame failures specifically attributed to 'turbo abuse'. A TT bike needs a different set-up to road bikes, so best limit your choices to see what frames suit you rather than be dictated by materials etc. You'll have a tough time trying to find a Campag equipped TT bike, so probably look at frames and buy the rest of the parts - plenty of TT frames on the Cycling Time Trials website listings.

alan_sherman

And for turbo use you could get away with the campag rear wheel in a Shimano set up by switching the shifters to friction mode

andrewgturnbull

Hi there.

I'll second (or third) the line about carbon frames. There is no problem on the turbo unless you're doing out of the saddle sprints... which is unlikely if you're training for TTs. I used an ancient oclv carbon frame on my turbo for years with no ill effects.

Using the TT bike on the turbo is also a great idea, as the position will be different from that on your road bike and this will help you adapt. I do all my intervals on the turbo using the aero bars. My muscles are now stamped with the memory that this position = pain = speed.

I use my cervelo p3 on the turbo with an old 9-speed wheel (shifters set to friction), then get out the aero wheels for race day. I also use the rollers quite a lot. 20 minute intervals on the rollers in the aero position does wonders for developing a smooth style.

Let us know your budget and maybe we could recommend some aero bling for you!

In the meantime here are things I would consider important when shopping for a TT bike, in rough order of importance:

-Price
-Position (correct for you)
-Geometry (steep angles, short head tube)
-Wheel choice
-Bar end shifters
-Internal cabling
-Bladed forks
-Aero seat pin
-Fared seat tube
-Rear facing rear drop out
-Aero tubing
-Weight

...and to be honest, only the first 5 really matter!

Cheers, Andy

guinea

Thanks for the answers folks.

When it comes to budget, there really isn't a figure I have in mind. I could spend any amount if I was convinced would make a justifiable difference. So, how about £2k?

As andrewgturnbull has said I want to train on the TT bike so I am used to the position. Once I can go an hour or two whilst tucked I'll take it down to Richmond Park for a blast.

Moving the shifters to friction mode is a great idea - I didn't know that was possible. Thanks for the tip.

andrewgturnbull

Hi there.

How about this Cervelo P2C for £1,125

http://www.sbrsports.com/1011/38-210671

Add to that a pair of Xentis wheels from Planet-x for £999, or a Xentis front wheel and a planet-x disc on the back and you're onto a winner.

That would be almost exactly the same bike that Jason McIntyre won the British time trial championships on the year before last - great value for money.

Cheers, Andy

ps Other frames to look at in this price range would be Quintano Roo, Dalkia, Planet-X, Focus - and probably many more.

John.T

Check out Planet X TT bikes. They are getting very popular.

guinea

Thanks for the advice folks.

I have a shortlist of bikes around the £2k mark. I'm guessing they're all decent, but are any "more decent" that the others? On the other hand, are there any I shouldn't touch?

In no particular order

Orbea Ora TR2 - http://www.sbrsports.com/867-346028

Felt B12 - http://www.sbrsports.com/19-308088

Planet X - custom build

Quintana Roo Caliente - http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=87691

Trek Equinox TTX 9 - http://www.evanscycles.com/product.jsp?style=86258

Specialized 08 Transition - http://www.primera-bournemouth.co.uk/Te ... rodID=2874

andrewgturnbull

Hi there.

Wheels! These are all good bikes, but if you're spending £2k on a TT bike, you need to do it the justice of putting some decent wheels on it. The 40mm deep wheels on the Felt look ok-ish, but aren't what I'd call a true TT wheelset.

Of the bikes listed, I'd rate them i this order:

Felt
Specialized
QR
Orbea
Planet-X
Trek

Just my personal opinion though - ymmv.

Cheers, Andy

Mog Uk

Planet X with full 105 and Carbon 50s for less than £2k.... No brainer......

andrewgturnbull

Mog Uk wrote:

Planet X with full 105 and Carbon 50s for less than £2k.... No brainer......

Hi there.

Why do you recommend the 50s?

Cheers, Andy

redddraggon

If you want Campag on the TT bike you could build a bike yourself.

Planet X stealth £665 for the frame (http://www.planet-x-warehouse.co.uk/aca ... arbon.html)
Say £600 for some P-X 50s + tyres
Fit a Veloce or Centaur groupset, £300 or £400ish

That still leaves a good bit of cash left over for decent bars and Saddle etc

Mog Uk

andrewgturnbull wrote:

Mog Uk wrote:

Planet X with full 105 and Carbon 50s for less than £2k.... No brainer......

Hi there.

Why do you recommend the 50s?

Cheers, Andy

I didn't recommend them :? I was putting another option into the pot! Although to be honest you only have to read any TT/Tri forum to see how well respected the PX50s are for the price.

andrewgturnbull

Hi there.

They are good value for money, but personally I'd recommend something deeper for TTs. I use my 50mm rims for road racing...

Cheers, Andy

redddraggon

andrewgturnbull wrote:

Hi there.

They are good value for money, but personally I'd recommend something deeper for TTs. I use my 50mm rims for road racing...

Cheers, Andy

Well there's always the PX 82s and 101s.

guinea

I went to a couple of LBSs today.

First up was Prologue in West London. The guy showed me a BH with ultegra and cosmic carbonnes for £2.5k. Looked quite nice. I was quickly measured up and had a sit on the turbo. After a few tweaks I got into a decent position, but comfortable isn't exactly the word I'd use to describe it. I guess I'm going to have to do a lot of work to get used to it. The guys in the shop took all the time in the world to help and get me sorted - a class act.

I then popped down to Sigma in Kingston. The shop was busy, but after a wait wathcing the Dauphine on the TV a guy helpfully specced out a TT bike with campag on a Cervelo P2C. He took my details and said he'd pop a few suggestions off in an email to me. Again very helpful.

I know a few people like to moan about their local bike shops, but if this presales treatment is as an indicator of their post sales service then I'd be more than comfortable to buy from either.