TT bikes?

rick_chasey

So Chris Froome discusses the future of TTbikes on his on his vlog


https://youtu.be/CnJ48P46qWU


Basically he thinks pro cycling should end the specific TT bikes for a few reasons

1) Quite difficult to train on a TT bike safely in traffic

2) reduces the kit advantage and makes it more about the rider

3) cheaper for teams, easier on mechanics (and presumably mildly greener)


Have often thought similar.

Figured this was ideal fodder for a forum discussion

No_Ta_Doctor

I don't get this.
I can see the argument that TT training is dangerous, but aside from the handlebars/skis, what would make a TT bike illegal in a peloton? We already have specialist sprint and mountain bikes, plus a few designed for cobbles, surely we'd just see TT bikes with aero drop bars?

redvision

No_Ta_Doctor said:

I don't get this.
I can see the argument that TT training is dangerous, but aside from the handlebars/skis, what would make a TT bike illegal in a peloton? We already have specialist sprint and mountain bikes, plus a few designed for cobbles, surely we'd just see TT bikes with aero drop bars?

His argument is that tt bikes are not suitable to train on open roads, but his main gripe with them being used in races is that they offer an unfair advantage to teams with bigger budgets.

I actually agree to some extent.

TheBigBean

I think he is right. Either allow recumbents or stick to bikes that can be ridden safely in a peloton.

redvision

With many bike manufacturers now pretty much all making a bike which combines aerodynamics and lightness - ie their so called 'one bike to rule them all', I wonder if the uci will be looking at the use of TT bikes in racing. It would be nice to see all the teams, regardless of budget, able to compete on similar equipment - particularly in timetrials, so you knew the strongest rider won... not like f1 where the strongest cars dominate.

ugo.santalucia

If you ban them, then you need to give manufacturers something else to get their teeth into, to make money. Personally, I think road bikes should come as aero version and as lightweight version. The latter would have great appeal to the public, just drop the minimum weight requirement to something more reasonable like 5-5.5kg or something like that.

redvision

ugo.santalucia said:

If you ban them, then you need to give manufacturers something else to get their teeth into, to make money. Personally, I think road bikes should come as aero version and as lightweight version. The latter would have great appeal to the public, just drop the minimum weight requirement to something more reasonable like 5-5.5kg or something like that.

The manufacturers may not be as opposed as you would first think, reduce the number of bikes needed enables them to save on r&d demands.

The other positive would be the benefit it would make to the sustainability of the sport. The bigger teams get their equipment supplied by sponsors but not all teams do.

Got to be honest though, can't see this happening, even if more riders come out and support froomies comments.

ugo.santalucia

redvision said:

ugo.santalucia said:

If you ban them, then you need to give manufacturers something else to get their teeth into, to make money. Personally, I think road bikes should come as aero version and as lightweight version. The latter would have great appeal to the public, just drop the minimum weight requirement to something more reasonable like 5-5.5kg or something like that.

The manufacturers may not be as opposed as you would first think, reduce the number of bikes needed enables them to save on r&d demands.

The other positive would be the benefit it would make to the sustainability of the sport. The bigger teams get their equipment supplied by sponsors but not all teams do.

Got to be honest though, can't see this happening, even if more riders come out and support froomies comments.

They still need to offer choice… if I can do any race with a Propel, why would I buy another bike?
The technology to make 5 kg Uber expensive bikes is already there… it’s a gold mine waiting to be exploited

redvision

Well, how many tt specific bikes are actually sold? I imagine the biggest market would be triathletes, not regular road enthusiasts, and that wouldn't change.

I just think rules to make timetrials on road bikes only would be great in so many ways, but can't see it happening.

N0bodyOfTheGoat

Getting pros to use their standard race bike for solo events might give more of the watching public a greater appreciation of how the peleton allows them to ride at a faster speed for less effort.

We need to get those Strava KOM cheats using TT bikes on flatter segments flagged.

JimD666

Biggest difference would probably be with the Women's side. So many times watching the Women's TT's you'll see the smaller teams on standard race bikes, can't recall seeing the same thing on the Men's side.

andyrac

I wouldn't have a problem with a ban; they're quite a niche product for road cycling, leave them for the Triathletes. And the safety issue on open roads; only need a moment of inattention and you're in trouble.....
Whenever I see them on the road, they can't be aware of everything going on around them.

rick_chasey

Thing is TT bikes are a lot lot faster

redvision

rick_chasey said:

Thing is TT bikes are a lot lot faster

Irrelevant if they are not permitted in road race timetrials.

ugo.santalucia

rick_chasey said:

Thing is TT bikes are a lot lot faster

I do a lot of TT and use a road bike... folks on TT rigs typically beat me by 90 seconds on a 10 mile race, given the same power output... so that's 9 seconds a mile, which is huge... it's the difference between Ganna and someone hopeless in the peloton... it was the difference between Indurain and Virenque, to put it in perspective.

No_Ta_Doctor

So what's the definition of a TT bike when you rock up to a race where they're banned? UCI tape measure team is at the ready....

shirley_basso

The interesting thing is that some road bike manufacturers are leaning away from pure aero road, specialized being a perfect example of sacking of the venge and having the tarmac as a do-it-all.

I thought it was a good piece by froome. I can't help but like him.

redvision

No_Ta_Doctor said:

So what's the definition of a TT bike when you rock up to a race where they're banned? UCI tape measure team is at the ready....

Would give the uci an opportunity to develop another gadget/ tablet to scan bikes to check if they are TT bikes...

I think what would basically happen is a ban on bar extensions. They've already created the rule banning riding in that position (praying mantis) in standard road stages. Personally I would love to see a rule introduced that standard drop handlebars must be used in timetrials.

Like I keep saying though, can't see it happening. Shame, but just can't see it.

RichN95.

I think the rules could be changed to ensure that the hands can only be put where they can reach brake levers. This would include the possibility of adding them to the skis. Also maybe have a minimum distance between hands to assist stability.

ugo.santalucia

RichN95. said:

I think the rules could be changed to ensure that the hands can only be put where they can reach brake levers. This would include the possibility of adding them to the skis. Also maybe have a minimum distance between hands to assist stability.

That would make sense...

gsk82

People want to ban this? Get in the sea!

First.Aspect

RichN95. said:

I think the rules could be changed to ensure that the hands can only be put where they can reach brake levers. This would include the possibility of adding them to the skis. Also maybe have a minimum distance between hands to assist stability.

Thereby banning riding on the bar tops on a standard road bike...

ugo.santalucia

First.Aspect said:

RichN95. said:

I think the rules could be changed to ensure that the hands can only be put where they can reach brake levers. This would include the possibility of adding them to the skis. Also maybe have a minimum distance between hands to assist stability.

Thereby banning riding on the bar tops on a standard road bike...

With modern aero flat bars it’s not that common anyway… besides, if you ride on the tops, you are not racing… 🤫

First.Aspect

Isn't the argument basically that

ugo.santalucia said:

First.Aspect said:

RichN95. said:

I think the rules could be changed to ensure that the hands can only be put where they can reach brake levers. This would include the possibility of adding them to the skis. Also maybe have a minimum distance between hands to assist stability.

Thereby banning riding on the bar tops on a standard road bike...

With modern aero flat bars it’s not that common anyway… besides, if you ride on the tops, you are not racing… 🤫

B0lloxks, 1. in the group 2. climbing

RichN95.

First.Aspect said:

RichN95. said:

I think the rules could be changed to ensure that the hands can only be put where they can reach brake levers. This would include the possibility of adding them to the skis. Also maybe have a minimum distance between hands to assist stability.

Thereby banning riding on the bar tops on a standard road bike...

This is just for TT bikes. Standard handlebars are fine. Riders only use that position when climbing and even then it’s rare theses days

webboo

They also sometimes ride on the tops on cobbles.

phreak

First.Aspect said:

Isn't the argument basically that

ugo.santalucia said:

First.Aspect said:

RichN95. said:

I think the rules could be changed to ensure that the hands can only be put where they can reach brake levers. This would include the possibility of adding them to the skis. Also maybe have a minimum distance between hands to assist stability.

Thereby banning riding on the bar tops on a standard road bike...

With modern aero flat bars it’s not that common anyway… besides, if you ride on the tops, you are not racing… 🤫

B0lloxks, 1. in the group 2. climbing

rick_chasey

Man, that's 10 years ago now...

andyrac said:

I wouldn't have a problem with a ban; they're quite a niche product for road cycling, leave them for the Triathletes. And the safety issue on open roads; only need a moment of inattention and you're in trouble.....
Whenever I see them on the road, they can't be aware of everything going on around them.

Shout out to the lad on embankment who loved drafting guys on his TT bars.

Gave him quite a few earfuls over the years - never stopped him.

ugo.santalucia

phreak said:

First.Aspect said:

Isn't the argument basically that

ugo.santalucia said:

First.Aspect said:

RichN95. said:

I think the rules could be changed to ensure that the hands can only be put where they can reach brake levers. This would include the possibility of adding them to the skis. Also maybe have a minimum distance between hands to assist stability.

Thereby banning riding on the bar tops on a standard road bike...

With modern aero flat bars it’s not that common anyway… besides, if you ride on the tops, you are not racing… 🤫

B0lloxks, 1. in the group 2. climbing

In the meantime, bars have gone from round to flat... it's a lot less practical to ride on the tops on cobbles...
But either way, if they were to ban riding on the tops because there are no brakes, PROs would adapt... it's not a big deal, is it? Or you could have chicken brake levers and solve the problem... another toy to sell to the public... hydro chicken levers

andyrac

They already exist, you can get them for GRX groupsets.....

TheBigBean

Surely the issue with safety on a TT bike isn't about hands and brakes, but the difficultly of controlling the bike in that position.