Advice needed on best £1000 TT bike please.

DanEvs
DanEvs Posts: 640
edited May 2009 in Road buying advice
I'm looking for a timetrial bike for around £1000 and I'm after some advice.

I've done a couple of TT's on my road bike now and had some half decent results so I'm wondering if stepping up to a specific TT bike will improve my times significantly?

Are the main benefits in a TT bike the aerodynamics or light weight? I don't want to get saddled with a £1000 bike that's aero efficient but compromised due to excess weight. :?

I can stretch to £1500 max but I really don't know the market at all so all suggestions gratefully received. :D

I'm a size medium if anyone has anything in mind. :wink:

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Planet X or Ribble
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • jon208
    jon208 Posts: 335
    I'm in the same situation as yourself, doing OK in the local TTs on standard kit. I've worked out that using bits I've got knocking about at home and with a bit of careful buying I can build up a Ribble Aero TT bike for just under £1K. Not bad.

    Sound like you know what size you need which is good, I'm currently torn between going for the M or L. The bike seems to get good write ups, main problem is you can't try before buying.

    Jon
  • simon t
    simon t Posts: 132
    planet x + disc
  • DanEvs
    DanEvs Posts: 640
    I've looked at the Planet x Ultegra build but there always seems to be something out of stock on the website and I'll be buggered if I'm going to buy a pink one! :shock: I'm not that metrosexual! :D

    I must say that I do quite fancy this http://www.alfjonescycles.co.uk/shop/shop.php?action=full&id=737 but I think it might be a bit weighty??? :?

    As far as size goes Jon I'm just making assumptions really. :? I'm 5'10" and ride a 56 Specialized Allez but the general consensus in the local cycling club appears to be that I'll need a medium. Going to have a looksie at a few shops tomorrow. :D
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    I've looked at the Planet x Ultegra build but there always seems to be something out of stock on the website and I'll be buggered if I'm going to buy a pink one! I'm not that metrosexual!

    Does it come with Schwalbe Ultremo R's in pink too :lol:

    I wouldn't worry about a TT bike and weight - unless the courses you do are all extremely hilly, aerodynamics and stiffness are surely more important (and this goes for all road riding too, surely?)
  • DanEvs
    DanEvs Posts: 640
    PianoMan wrote:
    I wouldn't worry about a TT bike and weight - unless the courses you do are all extremely hilly, aerodynamics and stiffness are surely more important (and this goes for all road riding too, surely?)

    That's the problem, I'm in north Wales and the 22mile TT course the local club uses has a mega hill about 7miles in and we have to ride it twice! :shock: :D

    10mile TT's are done on a relatively flat course so I don't know which way to go really. :roll:
  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    Me+Tri Bars+hilly course+steep Welsh downhills=TRIP TO HOSPITAL and NEW FRAME PLEASE :shock:

    In that case, you're really looking for a light set of wheels and keep the oversized TT aero frame, for optimal bottom bracket stiffness.

    That's why I chose a Van Nicholas Chinook over an Enigma Etape - I wanted a frame with a bit of meat on its bones for good all round performance rather that just a weight weenies frame. And it looks SO sweet :D
  • DanEvs
    DanEvs Posts: 640
    What would we think of this? http://www.bikeradar.com/gallery/article/new-premium-models-from-halfords-21625?img=3&pn=new-premium-models-from-halfords&mlc=news%2Farticle

    Does anyone know when it'll be available? (can my ego deal with riding a "halfords special") :D
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    DanEvs wrote:
    PianoMan wrote:
    I wouldn't worry about a TT bike and weight - unless the courses you do are all extremely hilly, aerodynamics and stiffness are surely more important (and this goes for all road riding too, surely?)

    That's the problem, I'm in north Wales and the 22mile TT course the local club uses has a mega hill about 7miles in and we have to ride it twice! :shock: :D

    10mile TT's are done on a relatively flat course so I don't know which way to go really. :roll:

    Where is this course?
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  • pianoman
    pianoman Posts: 706
    Another one jumps on the bandwagon :shock:

    Next thing you know, Evans Cycles will be offering one under their Pinnacle range (does that range even exist anymore) and Edinburgh Bicycle Co-Op will have a Revolution "Per Minute" TT frame (get it......RPM?!)
  • DanEvs
    DanEvs Posts: 640
    redddraggon wrote:
    Where is this course?

    Conwy valley. :D
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    DanEvs wrote:
    redddraggon wrote:
    Where is this course?

    Conwy valley. :D

    I'm getting a puppy from around there in a few weeks.

    I'd probably stick to a road bike with clip ons for that Territory
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  • DanEvs
    DanEvs Posts: 640
    Aargh, the dilema! :D

    Oh well, see what tomorrows tour of the bike shops throws up! :D:D:D
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    Red,

    what make / model of dog are you getting? Border collie?
  • PeteinSQ
    PeteinSQ Posts: 2,292
    What about the Focus Culebro Tria? It's 25% off on Wiggle and seemingly got rave reviews in CyclingPlus and 220 Triathlon magazine.
    <a><img></a>
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    keef66 wrote:
    Red,

    what make / model of dog are you getting? Border collie?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
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