Looks like a TT bike but isn’t!!

jmz-x
jmz-x Posts: 13
edited March 2013 in Road buying advice
So having spent the last couple of year riding a Bianchi C2C for Olympic triathlons I’m after a new bike... Thing is I’m doing Ironman France and was very taken with the idea of splashing out on a TT bike but was subsequently reined in by comments that with the amount of hill climbing involved a TT bike wouldn't be the right tool for the course. But because I’m quite stuck on the TT bike idea I’m looking for a compromise, suitable for hill climbing but with the aero profile of a TT bike. There is also an element of just damn sexyness of a TT bike I like!!

I've seen and like the frame style of the Kuota Kharma Evo.
I’m budgeting £1400 - £1700 and hoping to get a 2nd hand set of Zipps 404’s to complete the set up.

Would be grateful for what people would suggest. I love my cycling and by no means a novice but have no clue as to kit, as I inherited all things road biking I have from my brother 2 year ago and this is the first time buying my own stuff.

Thanks
It's meant to hurt!

Comments

  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    I really think the 'aero' profile of these bikes isnt anything measurable.
    Nice is a hilly course - the first half has the bulk of the climbing in. Get a bike that handles well - I saw a few people crashed on hairpin bends on the descents.
  • danowat
    danowat Posts: 2,877
    The most drag is from the rider, so the frame is negligable (IMO), TT bikes are about the position first and foremost.

    I own a Kharma, but I wouldn't TT on it (well, that's a lie, I did a club event on it once)
  • pkripper
    pkripper Posts: 652
    I like my felt ar5, seems quick when kitted up with other aero kit
  • jmz-x
    jmz-x Posts: 13
    OK I suppose what I'm getting at is look over substance which I know (i really do) is the wrong way round but I'm just a bit lost in what bike models I should be looking at in my price bracket. I though if I'd just started things off with models that matched the image I had in my mind it'd be a start.
    Point Cougie make is valid so I'll start considering that. Any makes / models as a starting point would be helpful...
    It's meant to hurt!
  • Grill
    Grill Posts: 5,610
    If you do long TTs there most certainly is a measurable difference between aero and non-aero frames. Get a Foil. Served me very well on the 12hr last year and is my goto bike for 24s.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • I have no first hand experience but thought I might suggest some possible alternatives for you to investigate further (or ignore, as you feel is appropriate :wink: ). One of of the people I used to train with had the Valdora PHX which is supposed to be a triathlon bike that you can easily climb on. It gets some really good reviews and can be seen here: http://www.valdoracycles.com/phx - there is a link to some of the reviews on the page. The other option, and one that i always liked the look of but have never ridden, is the Cube Aerium pro. On a triathlon forum I read sometimes this bike gets a lot of good feedback (but i am not sure if the model is still made): http://www.cube.eu/en/road/tri/aerium-pro/. Good luck whatever you do!
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Grill wrote:
    If you do long TTs there most certainly is a measurable difference between aero and non-aero frames. Get a Foil. Served me very well on the 12hr last year and is my goto bike for 24s.

    Ironman Nice is very different to a 12 hour course.
  • Grill
    Grill Posts: 5,610
    cougie wrote:
    Grill wrote:
    If you do long TTs there most certainly is a measurable difference between aero and non-aero frames. Get a Foil. Served me very well on the 12hr last year and is my goto bike for 24s.

    Ironman Nice is very different to a 12 hour course.

    Yes the IM is probably flatter. Over 112 mile leg there is a sizable advantage to be gained from an aero frame.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • jmz-x
    jmz-x Posts: 13
    I have no first hand experience but thought I might suggest some possible alternatives for you to investigate further (or ignore, as you feel is appropriate :wink: ). One of of the people I used to train with had the Valdora PHX which is supposed to be a triathlon bike that you can easily climb on. It gets some really good reviews and can be seen here: http://www.valdoracycles.com/phx - there is a link to some of the reviews on the page. The other option, and one that i always liked the look of but have never ridden, is the Cube Aerium pro. On a triathlon forum I read sometimes this bike gets a lot of good feedback (but i am not sure if the model is still made): http://www.cube.eu/en/road/tri/aerium-pro/. Good luck whatever you do!

    Thanks Antony will go check those out.
    It's meant to hurt!
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Grill wrote:
    cougie wrote:
    Grill wrote:
    If you do long TTs there most certainly is a measurable difference between aero and non-aero frames. Get a Foil. Served me very well on the 12hr last year and is my goto bike for 24s.

    Ironman Nice is very different to a 12 hour course.

    Yes the IM is probably flatter. Over 112 mile leg there is a sizable advantage to be gained from an aero frame.

    I'd like to know what 12 hour is hillier than Ironman Nice ? My last 12 didn't make me come out of the big ring.

    Being in an aero position is a definite advantage - but when you're climbing about 1/3 of the time - thats very much dissipated. Plus in descents - its hard to get round hairpins on tribars.
  • Grill
    Grill Posts: 5,610
    The Welsh 12 has a few hills, can't say for certain if it's more than Nice as I've never seen the route.

    Fact is aero is incredibly important in IM, so much so that the UCI 3:1 airfoil rule does not apply so many are runny frames and components at around 5:1.
    English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    It's all about getting the right positon, not about the aerodynamics of the frame. The problem with most TT bikes is they handle pretty badly on technical stuff, particularly downhills because they generally have steep seattube angles which throws the weight too far forward. I would look at one of the aero road frames , but maybe go one size smaller to benefit from shorter toptube and headtube for a tighter tuck position - do check that your knees don't hit your handlebars when riding out the saddle.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..