Fixed wheel time trial bike....

gtitim

Was just wondering if any of you guys ride a fixed wheel for time trials. I would like to make one up (on a budget), any ideas as to a suitable frame to start with? I know this is a bit vague but is it cheaper to by an old frame of ebay that needs restoring or just buy a new frame which doesn't need any painting etc.

singlespeedexplosif

do you already have a TT frame? Rather than get a new frame just so you can try fixed, I'd go for a wheel build using the White Industries ENO eccentric hub.

gtitim

No I don't have a TT frame. I already have a fixed bike but it's the Specialized Tricross which is pretty upright and obviously built for cyclocross. Other than that I have a Bianchi road bike which is what I use to TT with (with clip on bars), but I feel that a fixed wheel bike would good.
I guess it doesn't have to be purpose built for TT's. Does anyone have any experience of the Surly frames?

mz__jo

I think that the weakness of the Steamroller for tt would be that the tyre clearances are a bit generous. At the other end of the scale I think that Ribble have Dolan track frames quite reasonably priced without forks. Add a suitable road fork and it might be quite a beast for short distance - but I don't think I would want to try a 100 with one.
I used to ride fixed for tt over 30 years ago and I used anything that came to hand. In those days road frames still came with semi-sloping drop-outs so it was fairly easy to find something.
An option would be to convert a secondhand tt frame to track fork-ends (have to find a steel one for that). I have looked at the White eccentric hub but I don't know how much adjustment is available on it. My head says not a lot which if true could make changing gearing a bit of a mathematical calculation with the chain length. Perhaps someone has some first-hand experience. There's a secondhand Look Aeroblade in my LBS which would lend itself to that sort of treatment.
Cheers Jo

Aidy40

I've used my track bike fitted with front brake, lets face it you don't need water bottles on a time trial unless your doing 50's or longer.

gtitim

@Jo - the Ribble track frame actually looks pretty good for the price but they don't have any in stock.

Hmmm, I will keep thinking about it. Cheers for the help guys.

singlespeedexplosif

I have looked at the White eccentric hub but I don't know how much adjustment is available on it. My head says not a lot which if true could make changing gearing a bit of a mathematical calculation with the chain length. Perhaps someone has some first-hand experience.

I do, hence the suggestion. I've made small adjustments to gearing using it (up to 4 chainring teeth), but if you're making any major changes then might be worth having a second chain.

ride_whenever

If you want a fixed gear one i think planet-x do a fixed gear TT bike, and it's pretty reasonable.

GarethPJ

If you're looking for used testing gear you could do worse than start here http://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/

Fixed Wheelnut

I have used some of my old steel frames for TT's most have forward facing campag style dropouts all though my Graham Weigh uses an ENO hub.

Funny enough I have just got a Tri-cross and due to it being lighter than my other bikes was thinking of using it on some hillier courses just put some different tyres on, not much room for tri bars though with the mini cross brake levers there.

my bikes on Flickr

Monty Dog

I used to use a Dolan pursuit track bike for TT's - position is still the key, but without any gears to worry about, it was simply about getting the head down and getting on with it. That said, because you tend to pull yourself onto the nose of the saddle, anything longer than a 25 was pure purgatory. A saddle-mounted bottle cage is more aero for use on longer rides. I'd look for an old steel track or road frame for a conversion - gear choice is more critical, depending on the course - I used to ride 50x16

chrisw12

I converted my tricross to a tt/training fixed wheel bike.

I put mtb bars on and tri bars and fitted a 40 deg down slopping stem. I also had a lighter fixed wheel lying around that I use. Didn't cost much but looks bit of a 'bastard' (sorry for the language but it's the only way to describe it as it doesn't fit into any family of bikes.)

It's ok for a bit of fun but I find the clearance of the back wheel a bit much and a bit flexy in those full power moments. Also it aint exactly an aero bike.

The tricross is a real jack of all trades if you want it to be, but then ends up being a master of nothing.

GarethPJ

I've done testing on a slicked up mountain bike before now. Unless you're competing in a championship you're really only racing against yourself, so the bike you choose doesn't really matter. I don't suppose there's anything stopping you from taking part on a

When I first did a time trial on that MTB what I was racing against were my expectations. Yes it was wearing slicks, but only fatboys. I was, however, only a few seconds off my PB for the course. I did used to run in medium gear trials, so that was a limiting factor. It took them a while to work out that my 44:15 gearing was legal, . The tyres were only 24.5".