TT bikes?

CAT69

Anyone use these on the road...?

gavbarron

I do as I tend to find it difficult to stay aero off road.


What I mean is, I don't understand what you are asking

Joeblack

I think he means instead of on a track, to which the answer is yes, tt bikes are for the road

gavbarron

But you use a track bike on the track?!

If that's what the OP meant then yes, a lot of people do although mainly in the better weather and never in a group

CAT69

yes.....thanks for replying are the tub type wheels just for track though

simon_masterson

CAT69 wrote:

yes.....thanks for replying are the tub type wheels just for track though

Of course not. Most professional racers use them most of the time.

Joeblack

gavbarron wrote:

But you use a track bike on the track?!

If that's what the OP meant then yes, a lot of people do although mainly in the better weather and never in a group

This I know, but to some a tt bike and a track bike are the same, any ways he's cleared it up now.

Op if you google this you'll find loads info

alihisgreat

I don't even...

CAT69

I was looking at something like this

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... trial_bike

NewTTer

CAT69 wrote:

I was looking at something like this

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... trial_bike

Are you going to exclusively participate in tine trials then? If not try looking at a more general road bike. A TTbike isnt the most comfortable, but depends what you want from it

danowat

NewTTer wrote:

CAT69 wrote:

I was looking at something like this

http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... trial_bike

Are you going to exclusively participate in tine trials then? If not try looking at a more general road bike. A TTbike isnt the most comfortable, but depends what you want from it

TT bikes aren't, and really shouldn't need to be, inherently uncomfortable, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to ride for 12 hours on mine.......

That said, the position is more extreme, and when you aren't racing, they aren't the most practical of bikes for general use.

gavbarron

You wouldn't be able to use that on the track. Track and TT bikes often look the same, and have the same geometry but a track bike doesn't have brakes or gears and usually has a horizontal rear dropout. The wheels are fixed gear and tyre can be clincher or tub although tub is more popular.
As far as owning a TT bike, the PlanetX you show is a great model and well regarded. I'd say it is a good choice for a second or tt/tri dedicated bike but you will still need a road bike unless you plan on doing your winter miles on it using a turbo.
The position is much more aggressive than a road bike as mentioned and to get your best position you will want a fairly flexible back and glutes if you want to spend prolonged periods aero. Don't worry about comfort, as with any bike you need the right size and fit for comfort. I have a good fit on mine and spent 24 hours in the saddle last year and came off with no issues other than being rather hungry.

cougie

TT bikes are Time Trial Bikes.
By definition - they are used on the road for Time Trials. Usually early morning races and typical distances are from 10 miles to 24 hours.

That said - I don't know anyone who exclusively rides a TT bike. Pretty much everyone rides a road bike as they handle better with more hand positions and you're in a better position for negotiating potholes, bends, traffic etc.

If you have one bike only - get a road bike.

You can add tribars to it to reduce drag.

If you want to go to the next step - then get a TT bike.

Tubs are expensive and unneccessary unless you're going to race - and even then i prefer normal tyres.

gavbarron

As Cougie said, I don't think tubs are necessary nowadays, good tyres with latex tubes are almost as good as tubs now. Just ask Tony Martin, he won the world time trial championships on clinchers

danowat

Carbon wheels for tubs are still a fair bit cheaper (and arguably stronger) than carbon clinchers.

gavbarron

True but the cost of replacing tubs negates the minimal difference in price and unless you are amusing them then they should take what you can throw at them be it tub or clincher. My carbon clincher on my cross bike are bomb proof.
The difference in ride and performance between clincher and tub is down to rider perception if you ask me, most amatuers wouldn't be able to tell in a blind test, it's just personal preference

danowat

gavbarron wrote:

True but the cost of replacing tubs negates the minimal difference in price and unless you are amusing them then they should take what you can throw at them be it tub or clincher. My carbon clincher on my cross bike are bomb proof.

Depends what tubs you use, the tubs I use are generally comparable on price to a high end clincher anyway, plus I get at least a seasons racing out of a pair of tubs (1000+ miles) so the cost of the actual tyres isn't really an issue.

gavbarron wrote:

The difference in ride and performance between clincher and tub is down to rider perception if you ask me, most amatuers wouldn't be able to tell in a blind test, it's just personal preference

Performance isn't a factor (I don't believe tubs are faster, clinchers probably are marginally quicker), but the difference in ride is quite marked.

That said, I'd never train on tubs, I only use tubs on my race bike, and all my training bikes have clinchers on.