Commuting on a TT/Triathlon bike

[GrasB]

Any one done this regulally? I've been persuaded to get into TTs & if I enjoy them I'll want a 'proper' TT/Triathlon bike. I could get a rather nice bike with C2W but obviously this will mean that during the summer I'll have to be putting in a large number of commutes on the bike.

 

[palinurus]

Not regularly but I do commute a couple of times a week in the spring and summer on my TT bike so I can train or race after work. It makes a fine commuter when the weather is nice.

 

[gaz]

Depends on your route, i've seen a few people in london doing it a commute on a full TT bike. seams like suicide to me. but on my rural roads then why not.

But with a more aero position whats your avg speed going to go up by?

 

[ttcycle]

Yeh it's a bit of a tricky one, full aero position may up the speed (which isn't always the main thing for commuting anyway) but if there's a lot of stopping and starting it's not worth it imho and comfort wise for daily goings about not what I'd want. Another thing to note is if it's your best bike/competing bike you might not want to wear down the components day in day out on the commute. Also consider, where will the expensive bike be locked? If it's likely to be stolen,don't do it.

 

[palinurus]

It's not suicidal if you stay off the extension bars! In traffic the only issue I have is that I prefer SPDs over the road pedals I have on the TT bike. Changing gear involves a lifting a hand off the bullhorns and reaching forward but I don't find that much of an issue.

My ride to work times are about the same, on my route traffic and junctions tend to dictate that rather than the bike.

 

[palinurus]

It's no good if you want to stop at Sainsbury's on the way home though. You'd definitely want another commute bike.

 

[GrasB]

My route is mainly rural with up to 2 miles of urban riding depending on which way I get out of town.

ttcycle, it wouldn't be a day in day out commute bike, maybe twice a week during the spring/summer as my main commute bike will be the Hybrid. Also day time security isn't a problem, my bike is in an alarmed plant room which is accessed via an always alarmed smart card access entrance way.

 

[ttcycle]

I'm inclined to say still, keep the best machine for competing. If it was a road bike- slightly different as the geometry is designed to be less aggressive and it's fair enough to go out on it once or twice a week and on a leisure ride.

Are you only thinking of commuting on it due to C2W- I don't think anyone would check. Logically thinking TT set ups aren't really designed for commuting- for aero and speed purposes...often the temptation to go faster is just there- I honestly feel that this isn't the wisest thing to do on a bike set up for speed. I assume you've ridden one? A mate of mine has a TT bike that he converted for the commute to dampen down the aero etc and obviously he removed the bars.

The only time I'd think it's necessary (and this of course is debatable) to stay on the TT machine for commutes is if you were working up to an important TT you wanted to do well in or it was bang smack in the peak of your racing season, then you'd not want to shock your body by riding too much in an upright hybrid position and then change to TT bike.

Just my thoughts really.

 

[GrasB]

For commuting there's 2 reasons, one would be the evening TTs the other would be because of the C2W scheme & yes while no one is likely to actually check there's always that risk. Two commutes a week is about 70 miles give or take so shouldn't be to much of a problem.

I've not ridden a true TT bike, I'm borrowing some aero bars which are on the road fixie which is fairly aggressive but not as aggressive as a true TT bike.

 

[palinurus]

Evening 10s after work is one reason I commute on a TT bike during the spring and summer.

 

[ttcycle]

see how it feels on the new bike, it is very different to a road bike with aero bars. I agree with palinurus, if you have an evening TT which aren't always easy to get to after work commute on the bike then, it may be worth it and makes sense but not generally for commutes otherwise.

 

[BentMikey]

I don't see why not - look at my bike. It's probably slightly more aero than a TT bike.

 

[cyberknight]

Where would you attach the panniers and enough lights to blind the other road users though?

Seriously i have seen a TT bike fairly regularly in the summer at the works bike sheds but i would think any benefit you gain by using a TT bike would be naffed up by extras like clothes,tools,food etc assuming you had some where to carry them .
If you had them in a backpack would that not screw up your aero profile ?

truth is we are just jealous because we want a TT bike as a commute hack

 

[fossyant]

Watch out for barstewards like me on a fixed road bike, with guards chasing you down... and passing......

Don't see why you can't do it though..........

 

[ttcycle]

I don't see why not - look at my bike. It's probably slightly more aero than a TT bike.

Yeah but the positioning is so different!
There's not an issue,it just depends what the priorities are really- plus the speeds etc that can be reached on some parts of a commute may just not be wise 'tis all.Though the OP will know hiw own limits etc.

Me personally, if I had a TT machine, wouldn't commute on it unless I had to get to an evening TT- just to keep the mechs in good working order longer..but I'm funny like that!