Q for the TTers on the forum...

hopper1

I'm considering buying a Lo Pro TT frame.
It'll be my first foray into this, so I expect to make mistakes regarding position, etc, so a relatively cheap start would be good, once I'm happy with my position, etc, maybe I'll look to upgrade.
(I can't believe I'm being so sensible about something bike related! :shock: )
Planet X seemd to have got more expensive, but I can't compare with older prices :evil:
Have my eye on a Giant Trinity frame, can anyone comment on these?
Appreciate any helful comments.

nmcgann

I think it's a good idea buying a cheap frame to start with so you can play around with positions and equipment. I have an old Giant TCR Aero I got s/h and that has been great as a first TT bike.

What are you looking to spend?

appletrees

Hi hopper,

Have a look at the Ribble TT - just plain old alloy, but at just over £100 for the frame, you can't go wrong - I've had all sorts of expensive tt bikes over the years, and have been using one of these for 18 months - nothing wrong with it all all, and at that price, it's pretty much disposable. Top tube length is the key - you want (imho) 2-3cm less than your road bike. These top tube on these is 1cm longer than the frame size.

The only come in white, but the frame I bought was well finished, bb reamed out, cable adjusters greased etc. I normally avoid ribble, but if you can wait 10 or so days, these are cracking value. Their aero forks are about £80 iirc, and the headset to fit is about £20. Seatpost is also standard 27.2...

It has slotted drop outs, so you can use it fixed as well as geared. Mine may well become a singlespeed in winter, and be replaced with a carbon job, but purely on the basis that I'm a bike tart, not for anything logical!

Hope this helps.

hopper1

Thanks for your thoughts, guys.

The frameset I'm looking at is up for £300, including aero seatpost (2007).
I've noticed some Cinelli Angel aero bars in classifieds, and I reckon I pretty much have everything else, in the garage.
nmcgann, what you say is exactly my line of thinking... It's just a cheap frame, to practice/experiment with, then out comes the serious cash, later.

Is there a 'preferred' seat angle... 76, or 78degrees?
I know some bikes have dual position seat clamps, I guess they cover both these angles... :?

appletrees

76 normal for tt, 78 for tri to open up the hip angle and make running off the bike easier - I think the trinity gives you both options...

Still be cheaper to try the ribble though!

hopper1

appletrees wrote:

76 normal for tt, 78 for tri to open up the hip angle and make running off the bike easier - I think the trinity gives you both options...

Still be cheaper to try the ribble though!

Very true, mate. But, like your good self, I too am a bike tart, and not keen on the look of the aero seat post/ round seat tube interface. :oops:

I seem to have found a limit to my sensibility...