Is it possible to "be all you can be" with one bik

danowat
danowat Posts: 2,877
edited August 2010 in Road beginners
I am hankering after a dedicated TT bike, but I am wondering just how much of an effect it would have, and is it worth it for someone who would never be any better than mid pack?.

Is it really possible to have a single bike that would allow you to perform well, in different race styles?.

I am not looking to justify buying a new bike BTW 8)

Comments

  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    A well fitting full on TT bike would undoubtedly save you time over a normal road bike.

    Its entirely up to you if you go for it though - you'll get 90% or so of the performance from a normal road bike - but its that extra few percentage points that you need to chase for ultimate best performance - so aero wheels, helmet, tribars and most of all - your position.

    A bike fit could be a worthwhile investment - if you can get a decent position on your road bike with tribars on - then that will be almost as good as a full on TT bike.
  • willbevan
    willbevan Posts: 1,241
    I personally I wanted to compete with the faster guys in my local club at TTs.... and doing that on a 170 quid cheap road bike wasn'[t going to happen... and I bought a TT bike...

    If your happy just competing against your self then there isn't any need.

    If you are going to use a TT bike regularly and can afford it, I would buy one. You are buying speed though and not improving your fitness (I am at this point! lol)
    Road - BTwin Sport 2 16s
    MTB - Trek Fuel 80
    TT - Echelon

    http://www.rossonwye.cyclists.co.uk/
  • keef66
    keef66 Posts: 13,123
    I'm everything I'll ever be on my one bike. Wouldn't matter a jot how much I spent on another bike, I'd still be over the hill, under-fit, over-weight, slow, wheezing etc etc.
  • Sirius631
    Sirius631 Posts: 991
    I'm coming to the end of my third season back racing after a long lay-off. In the first season I bought a second hand aluminium Giant TCR off a club mate and equiped it with basic wheels. That year I surpassed my 23 year old PBs for 10 & 25 miles, so I rewarded myself with upgraded wheels. The next year I did better in 10's & 50's, only missing my 25 PB by a fraction when the weather ruined my target event. After upgrading to Zipps this year, I smashed my 25 time, going under the hour by a good margin. I'm going for a Specialized Transition frameset for next year.

    Point is, it is best to set yourself targets and reward yourself with kit upgrade when you pass them. If you go the whole hog and buy yourself top kit at the first step, you might find yourself losing motivation if you under-perform.
    To err is human, but to make a real balls up takes a super computer.
  • danowat
    danowat Posts: 2,877
    All great points, thanks fellas, I like the idea of getting a bike fit, and getting the most out of my current gear without spending too much money, so I think I'll do that.

    I also like the idea of upgrades as rewards.

    Whats a good improvement over time?, I ran a 28:16 with my road bike, how much quicker should I be looking to aim at, is 26:XX doable with aero bars and plenty of training?, would that be a good target?, or am I looking at a long while to improve by that much?
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Sub 24 for a 10 is a good target as the average speed is the same for a sub-hour 25 and is achievable on a road bike with aero bars with the right training, preparation and conditions. You can either get sucked-into the whole 'arms-race' with TT kit or simply stick with the kit you've got and seek to better your own time. FWIW there's nothing better than passing your minute man with all the kit when you're riding fixed with drops!
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • danowat wrote:
    All great points, thanks fellas, I like the idea of getting a bike fit, and getting the most out of my current gear without spending too much money, so I think I'll do that.

    I also like the idea of upgrades as rewards.

    Whats a good improvement over time?, I ran a 28:16 with my road bike, how much quicker should I be looking to aim at, is 26:XX doable with aero bars and plenty of training?, would that be a good target?, or am I looking at a long while to improve by that much?

    My bro did a 26:15 on his 2nd TT using a road bike and aero bars, so its definitely doable!
  • danowat
    danowat Posts: 2,877
    Well, tonights 10 mile TT has put another spin on it.............

    New PB of 26:44 (down from 28:16 last week), can I attribute this to JUST the tribars?, its a tantalising thought on how much I could go on a "proper" TT bike......
  • willbevan
    willbevan Posts: 1,241
    TT clipon bars when I first fitted them help me knock off a minute... would also put it down to improvement in pacing and or the mental edge from knowing you have tri bars to push yourself furtherr!
    Road - BTwin Sport 2 16s
    MTB - Trek Fuel 80
    TT - Echelon

    http://www.rossonwye.cyclists.co.uk/
  • hopper1
    hopper1 Posts: 4,389
    Well done Dan, good improvement.
    I did a 29:48 first TT, on a road bike. 2nd TT on a full TT rig (mainly all 2nd hand!), was 24:23! 3rd was 25:25!

    I wanted the TT machine, but as the fitting seems more difficult to get right, than a road bike, I decided to go 2nd hand first, then use PB's, and other goals to treat myself to upgrades.
    I trawled the classifieds on here, and got some really good deals...
    Now, I want to trade the alloy frame for full CF, same with the bars, etc...
    Start with a budget, finish with a mortgage!
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Tri bars on my road bike saw my speeds increase by 1 to 2 mph for the same effort. Its just a more aerodynamic position.