Mid range TT bike v good road bike with aero bars
gsk82
Posts: 3,570
This year I gave up on road racing and instead did a dozen or so club time trials. I used my canyon ultimate cf slx with bolt on aero bars and superstar components c46 wheels. I've just ordered a club skinsuit and may get a wizards hat as well.
Would I benefit from getting a mid range tt bike? Something like a Focus Izalco chrono or something else in the £2,000 to £2,500 price range and using my c46 wheels on it? I'm worried that although the position will be beneficial the overall standard of the bike compared to the canyon would let it down.
Thanks
Gary
Would I benefit from getting a mid range tt bike? Something like a Focus Izalco chrono or something else in the £2,000 to £2,500 price range and using my c46 wheels on it? I'm worried that although the position will be beneficial the overall standard of the bike compared to the canyon would let it down.
Thanks
Gary
"Unfortunately these days a lot of people don’t understand the real quality of a bike" Ernesto Colnago
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This year I gave up on road racing and instead did a dozen or so club time trials. I used my canyon ultimate cf slx with bolt on aero bars and superstar components c46 wheels. I've just ordered a club skinsuit and may get a wizards hat as well.
Would I benefit from getting a mid range tt bike? Something like a Focus Izalco chrono or something else in the £2,000 to £2,500 price range and using my c46 wheels on it? I'm worried that although the position will be beneficial the overall standard of the bike compared to the canyon would let it down.
Thanks
Gary
The simple answer is yes and don't worry about the standard of the bike. I have a Canyon Ultimate CF SL 9, I ride a Speedmax AL 8.0. When doing TT's you hardly ever brake and you change gear a lot less frequently so groupset wise it's not a concern. Do you really want the hassle of setting up your road bike for TT's every time?Trainer Road Blog: https://hitthesweetspot.home.blog/
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You don't even have to spend that much. Its all about your legs and position. This years national 10 champion won on a Planet X frameset built up with second hand parts that (allegedly) cost under a grand to build.0
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I doubt very much you need to drop £2,000 to £2,500 on a TT bike for it to be faster. A £500 TT with the right setup will be quicker.0
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You don't even have to spend that much. Its all about your legs and position. This years national 10 champion won on a Planet X frameset built up with second hand parts that (allegedly) cost under a grand to build.
It was actually an old trek TTX frame.Insta: ATEnduranceCoaching
ABCC Cycling Coach0 -
Thanks for your responses so far chaps. Ebay certainly looks a good bet for either parts or a full bike.
My other question which i forgot to ask is re sizes. My road bike has a 54cm top tube with a 90mm stem. Is there a general rule with TT bikes re frame sizing ie would i want a slightly shorter or longer top tube? As i'm sort of in between 52 and 54 (i've always assumed that a 100mm stem is "normal") i wouldn't think it would make much difference."Unfortunately these days a lot of people don’t understand the real quality of a bike" Ernesto Colnago0 -
You don't even have to spend that much. Its all about your legs and position. This years national 10 champion won on a Planet X frameset built up with second hand parts that (allegedly) cost under a grand to build.
It was actually an old trek TTX frame.
Indeed, and it was under a grand.
@OP- Get a TT bike. There are some amazing bargains on TTF at the moment.English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg0 -
I doubt very much you need to drop £2,000 to £2,500 on a TT bike for it to be faster. A £500 TT with the right setup will be quicker.
This, it's the position, and if your bike's set up well for road racing it won't be set up well for a TT position.0 -
Thanks for your responses so far chaps. Ebay certainly looks a good bet for either parts or a full bike.
My other question which i forgot to ask is re sizes. My road bike has a 54cm top tube with a 90mm stem. Is there a general rule with TT bikes re frame sizing ie would i want a slightly shorter or longer top tube? As i'm sort of in between 52 and 54 (i've always assumed that a 100mm stem is "normal") i wouldn't think it would make much difference.
Usually/often a couple of centimetres shorter in the top tube on a TT bike (sometimes more/less). I don't own a modern road racing bike, but I suspect I'd want a 55-56cm top tube, whereas my TT frame is 53cm.0 -
Whats all this talk of not spending a lot of money?
Buy the best you can afford.I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles0 -
[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19736767#p19736767]SloppySchleckonds[/url] wrote:Whats all this talk of not spending a lot of money?
Buy the best you can afford.
long story short, even on slightly rolling courses, the TT frame should be a fair bit quicker even with cheapo and heavy components.
older frames are less aero, but we've people in our club that can do decent times on old specialised transitions, and felt TT rigs from 2008... legs, heart + lungs, and position are key to improvement as well as the skinsuit and silly hat. and shoe covers.0 -
@OP- Get a TT bike. There are some amazing bargains on TTF at the moment.
Any you care to point out? Might be tempted into the world of TT-ing. Noticed a few frame deals on PlanetX, but can't find a whole lot more. Recall some Scott's being discounted at Westbrook's but can't find them now.0 -
What size do you need?English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg0
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Well, not having been fitted for a TT bike I'm not sure. All my road bike frames have effective top tubes between 55.5 and 56cm, reach typically 380mm to 390mm and stack 555mm to 565mm. I'm 5ft 11in tall, with a 33.5in inside leg - i.e. long legs, short body + arms. Thanks in advance for any pointers on sizes and sales!0
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Difficult to say without having ridden a TT bike, but typically you'll use the same size frame as yuppie road bike (about Large or 56 in your case). I'm the same size but ride all my frames in a medium and it might be a good idea to go the smaller route to get a better fit. In regards to frames, all superbikes are closer enough in regards to drag that our doesn't matter which you choose. Giant Trinity, Shiv TT, Scott Plasma 3, Cervelo P2/3/4/5, Canyon Speedmax, Argon 18 E-118, Boardman TTE, etc. Are all good choices.English Cycles V3 | Cervelo P5 | Cervelo T4 | Trek Domane Koppenberg0
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The cost of the frame doesn't really make a big difference when it comes to TTs- an older alloy frame with only a couple of nods to aerodynamics will be pretty much as good as a top of the line carbon offering as long as it's stiff.
The most important thing is getting ourself into the best position- that's where a dedicated TT bike comes into its own, you don't have to compromise between TTs and road riding. Go for a frame that fits you and then deck it out with some decent second hand wheels and groupset of your choice (I like 10 speed groupsets so I can use older wheels, plus you don't really need a massive range of gears on most TT courses).
A competitive TT bike needn't cost the earth- the national 10 championships was won by a bike costing less than £1k- and that's at the very top level of competition.
Good luck!0
