New to TT...Is it easy to alter road bike??

drumsmasher
drumsmasher Posts: 241
edited May 2010 in Road beginners
I have just done my first time trial, and i currently have 2 road bikes. How easy would it be to change one of them to a TT set up? I have clip on bars but would be looking at the one peice type with the bar end shifters etc. Also things like cable routing etc need to be considered. Any advice would be much appreciated thanks.
Another tree...another cracked rib!!

Comments

  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    Depends how aero you want to go really.

    You can put on new bars no problem. You'll need all new cables, new bars, new brakes and shifters and new tape. :)


    Cable routing will remain standard (on your frame). It won't lose you significant amounts of time. Most areo bars have either internal routing or a 'groove' in the bars for running the cables from the shifters and brakes to the frame.

    You may want to change/adjust your saddle position also (and get a padded-tip saddle) for comfort.


    Otherwise - you should be good to go.
  • SDP
    SDP Posts: 665
    unless you really are making real impact on the sport then initially i woul just get the clip ons onto your existing bars & get as aero/comfy as you can get

    agree on getting saddle psition right & maybe if you need it a padded nose

    you would be better off getting some nice aeor wheels than a flat bar etc & then maybe save up to get a tt frame/bar etc when you can afford it ..it will save buying stuff twice & you will already have wheels/saddle etc as well as c/set & brake calipers & gears from this bike

    even a good skinsuit/helmet will help

    FWIW i smashed my TT bike up in an event & had to ride my road bike in a 10 ( with tri bars & disc etc ) & lo & behold a PB !
    www.mjsracing.net
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    The main differences between a road and TT set-up are to:
    Fit aero-bars - clip-ons are fine with drops
    Fit a shorter stem ~1-2cm, remove spacer and flip stem to get the bars as low as you can comfortably accommodate. An adjustable stem may help.
    Fit inline seatpost and/or slide saddle forward on the rails

    After your position, other things to consider in relative order are: aero helmet, aero wheels, skinsuit and finally things like specialist frames.

    It's all an incremental process of gradually modifying your position to reach an optimum position. You see some truly awful positions on TT bikes - all the kit, no idea - and there's nothing better than passing them a road bike with clip-ons.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Disc wheel covers.

    Defo disc wheel covers!
  • Pokerface
    Pokerface Posts: 7,960
    While I agree with the other people who said clip-ons will suffice, if he has two road bikes and wants to convert one of them for full-time TT use - then I don't see why he shouldn't!

    Saves the pfaffing about clip and unclipping bars all the time. Plus - and this is key to me - it means he can ride proper aero bars with bar end shifters.


    I lost the majority of my time in a TT using clip-ons having to remove myself from the aero bars to shift gears. Especially on my local TT course where there are a LOT of shifts required (constantly up and down). On a pan-flat TT with little gear changing needed - not so much.


    But it's a relatively small cost to convert a road bike to a TT bike full time - especially if you don't need to use it for road riding again.


    And aero wheels will also be a HUGE plus. Forgot that.
  • richk
    richk Posts: 564
    Last winter I've converted my older road bike to be my TT bike. It was a size 'small' which was a good starting point.

    Needed new bars, was able to use exisiting clip on tri bars, shifters, brake levers, seatpost (reversible), saddle, cables etc. Total cost just over £100.

    Don't yet know if it's faster, but times have improved over last year (but that is likely to not be just the bike).
    There is no secret ingredient...
  • drumsmasher
    drumsmasher Posts: 241
    Thanks very much for the info. Pokerface hit on a good point regarding the bar end shifters as the route i will be doing is on a main "A" road. Last night as i came of the clip ons to change gear i wobbled quite dangerously ! Maybe i'll get used to it as i progress but i did think it would be nice to stay tucked in and "safe! ish!!
    Some great info as i said so thanks to all that have contributed.
    Another tree...another cracked rib!!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    Monty Dog wrote:
    It's all an incremental process of gradually modifying your position to reach an optimum position. .

    Defo.

    I swear at the start of the season I would have been better off on my road bike. However, a few mm adjustment here and there over the last few weeks has got me in a fantastic position that just works for me...
  • richk
    richk Posts: 564
    Here's a totally unscientific comparison.

    K33/10S

    Wednesday - road bike only event - so no tri bars, pointy hats etc allowed - 27:55
    Saturday - 'converted' bike ("The Contraption") - so tri bars + pointy hat - 26:10

    Wind similar speed both times (but 180 deg opposite direction). However, was wet on Wednesday & drying on Saturday (so not a totally fair comprison).

    A full on TT bike should be faster (but a whole load more (prohibitively) expensive).
    There is no secret ingredient...

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