How much time does money buy?

welshside

Ive got a Giant defy 2.5 that im more than happy with.. Ive started doing a a few sportives and thinking of the odd TT.. Ive got the option of a carbon tarmack frame.. Is it worth it?

How much time would it buy me?

cheers

Mettan

welshside wrote:

Ive got a Giant defy 2.5 that im more than happy with.. Ive started doing a a few sportives and thinking of the odd TT.. Ive got the option of a carbon tarmack frame.. Is it worth it?

How much time would it buy me?

cheers

At best negligible, probably virtually nothing - position is everything in TT's (and training in that position for a good 3-6 months) - for TTs you can put some clip-on Aero's on the Defy, get a forward seatpost, big angle stem, flip it over for low bars etc, etc (get low and narrow for TTs and a position that enables you to consistently apply power) - for Sportives, you're good to go as it is - just a nice comfy position to ride the hills all day - Obviously, nice to have a better frame in general (I would) but it wont give you a crazy 5 % boost or whatever.

bikedude

In my experience the frame (so long as the dimensions are the same) will not make a big deal of difference... I 'upgraded' from an all aluminium frame to a willier part carbon frame, and my rides were instantly slower!

Wheels, tyres, gearing and rider make the biggest difference...

Ride as many hills as you can, it will increase your flat speeds significantly

Dunedin397

[quote="Mettan"At best negligible, probably virtually nothing - position is everything in TT's (and training in that position for a good 3-6 months) - for TTs you can put some clip-on Aero's on the Defy, get a forward seatpost, big angle stem, flip it over for low bars etc, etc (get low and narrow for TTs and a position that enables you to consistently apply power) - for Sportives, you're good to go as it is - just a nice comfy position to ride the hills all day - Obviously, nice to have a better frame in general (I would) but it wont give you a crazy 5 % boost or whatever.[/quote]

I'm hijacking the thread somewhat, but could I ask about the seat post? I'm guessing you're referring to the Profile Design Fast Forward? I've got that model as well as the Carbon version (but the Carbon version doesn't let me tilt the saddle down enough).

If I put on the Fast Forward seat post, how much more forward should the saddle be compared to my regular position? I use the one bike for training, sportives and TTs, so I'd like to try the Fast Forward and any help would be great.

Dunedin