From road to time trial bike? advice

[User16625]

I currently own a Giant SCR1.0. Am thinking of buying a full on time trial bicycle and also have a much better budget than I did when I purchased the scr at about £650. I really dont know much about the different types of bikes or their parts but I have heard you can go considerably quicker on a time trial bike. Would like to know if changing to a TT bike will show any noticeable difference to the way I ride. I can generally hold about 18-20mph on a flat without pushing myself, although I dont wear skin tight clothes that racers typically wear. What i am asking is will I get a noticable difference due to the more extreme body position and aerodynamic shape of a TT bicycle? Would it be reasonable to get an extra 3mph on a flat for the same amount of effort? What was your first experience riding a TT bicycle and what advice can you give for a 1st timer?

 

[martint235]

I currently own a Giant SCR1.0. Am thinking of buying a full on time trial bicycle and also have a much better budget than I did when I purchased the scr at about £650. I really dont know much about the different types of bikes or their parts but I have heard you can go considerably quicker on a time trial bike. Would like to know if changing to a TT bike will show any noticeable difference to the way I ride. I can generally hold about 18-20mph on a flat without pushing myself, although I dont wear skin tight clothes that racers typically wear. What i am asking is will I get a noticable difference due to the more extreme body position and aerodynamic shape of a TT bicycle? Would it be reasonable to get an extra 3mph on a flat for the same amount of effort? What was your first experience riding a TT bicycle and what advice can you give for a 1st timer?

Unless you're going to actually go time trialling, I'm not sure I'd bother. Think about what you want the bike for and purchase a bike that meets that purpose.

If you're largely commuting, you won't get any benefit from a time trial bike really cos of the stop starting you'll have to do. Ditto for club runs unless you're in a group that is just going flat out.

Just my tuppence

 

[fossyant]

Fastest gains are tri bars, helmet, wheels then TT bike. That is assuming you have either a skin suit or close fitting road kit. Baggy stuff has to go first.

I used to TT on my road bike, Tri bars, helmet and fast deep carbon wheels.

 

[User16625]

Unless you're going to actually go time trialling, I'm not sure I'd bother. Think about what you want the bike for and purchase a bike that meets that purpose.

If you're largely commuting, you won't get any benefit from a time trial bike really cos of the stop starting you'll have to do. Ditto for club runs unless you're in a group that is just going flat out.

Just my tuppence

I would eventually like to try club cycling but they're most likely a lot faster than I am. In anycase I dont have a reason to go cycling, I just enjoy doing it and I always cycle alone. When im road cycling tho, I really want to get the most speed I can.

Fastest gains are tri bars, helmet, wheels then TT bike. That is assuming you have either a skin suit or close fitting road kit. Baggy stuff has to go first.

I used to TT on my road bike, Tri bars, helmet and fast deep carbon wheels.

Deep carbon wheels uh? Could you give me some info on types of wheels/tyres that can have an influence on speed? Im not really technical when it comes to cycling, just enjoy riding.

 

[Rob3rt]

I'm going to be blunt here, unless you race time trials or triathlon, buying a TT/tri bike is an absolute waste for you, for many reasons.

1) Tri/TT possition is not something that affords you a great deal of control so riding in traffic is hardly sensible.
2) They are built mainly for straight line speed, not the most manouvarable of beasts.
3) They are limited in use, they are made for one thing, they wont be legal in normal road races or criteriums, only in time trials and triathlons/duathlons (although not all triathlons will allow their use).
4) They arent made for comfort!
5) The actual aerodynamic effect of a bike frame, is minimal, its the possition they afford which gives you most of the gain, in this case you can approximate the aero possition fairly well on a normal road bike using clip on aero bars for a fraction of the cost whilst keeping the flexibility of a normal road bike.
6) Without expensive deep section rims or a disc wheel, they look f*cking stupid.
7) If you go out on a TT bike in baggy clothing, you will look like a cock.
8) A TT bike wont make pussy legged riders into speed demons, if you dont have the legs for speed, then you will look doubly stupid when some random commuter on a hybrid or mtb tears past you (all the gear, no idea etc)!
9) Do we need to go on.........


Do a bit more reading before you consider dropping £1000+ on a bike that wont benefit you.

If you have a half decent road bike, you would do well to just buy some nicer wheels and tyres and if you are desperate to try out the aero possition, some clip on aero/tri bars.

 

[martint235]

I'm going to be blunt here, unless you race time trials or triathlon, buying a TT/tri bike is an absolute waste for you, for many reasons.

1) Tri/TT possition is not something that affords you a great deal of control so riding in traffic is hardly sensible.
2) They are built mainly for straight line speed, not the most manouvarable of beasts.
3) They are limited in use, they are made for one thing, they wont be legal in normal road races or criteriums, only in time trials and triathlons/duathlons (although not all triathlons will allow their use).
4) They arent made for comfort!
5) The actual aerodynamic effect of a bike frame, is minimal, its the possition they afford which gives you most of the gain, in this case you can approximate the aero possition fairly well on a normal road bike using clip on aero bars for a fraction of the cost whilst keeping the flexibility of a normal road bike.
6) Without expensive deep section rims or a disc wheel, they look f*cking stupid.
7) If you go out on a TT bike in baggy clothing, you will look like a cock.
8) A TT bike wont make pussy legged riders into speed demons!
9) Do we need to go on.........


Do a bit more reading before you consider dropping £1000+ on a bike that wont benefit you.

If you have a half decent road bike, you would do well to just buy some nicer wheels and tyres and if you are desperate to try out the aero possition, some clip on aero/tri bars.

That's what I was trying to say!! You put it much better though...

 

[Trickydicky]

If you actualy want to see the proper increase in speed you are looking for, go and buy a better road bike. A TT bike will cost over £2000 n that will be the lower end of the market. Just to put it in perspective the cheapest disc wheel is £700 on its own.

 

[Rob3rt]

Or you could.... you know, train!

 

[DrSquirrel]

TT bikes usually have less clearance on the tyres too, so you might find yourself limited to 22 or 19c tyres.

Riding on "rough" roads is a pain, as stones gets dragged between wheel/frame.

If you want to go faster, ride a "slower" bike (more exercise).

Club rides won't like you riding a TT bike, even (and specially) on chain gangs!

 

[doog]

I'm going to be blunt here, unless you race time trials or triathlon, buying a TT/tri bike is an absolute waste for you, for many reasons.

1) Tri/TT possition is not something that affords you a great deal of control so riding in traffic is hardly sensible.
2) They are built mainly for straight line speed, not the most manouvarable of beasts.
3) They are limited in use, they are made for one thing, they wont be legal in normal road races or criteriums, only in time trials and triathlons/duathlons (although not all triathlons will allow their use).
4) They arent made for comfort!
5) The actual aerodynamic effect of a bike frame, is minimal, its the possition they afford which gives you most of the gain, in this case you can approximate the aero possition fairly well on a normal road bike using clip on aero bars for a fraction of the cost whilst keeping the flexibility of a normal road bike.
6) Without expensive deep section rims or a disc wheel, they look f*cking stupid.
7) If you go out on a TT bike in baggy clothing, you will look like a cock.
8) A TT bike wont make pussy legged riders into speed demons, if you dont have the legs for speed, then you will look doubly stupid when some random commuter on a hybrid or mtb tears past you (all the gear, no idea etc)!
9) Do we need to go on.........


Do a bit more reading before you consider dropping £1000+ on a bike that wont benefit you.

If you have a half decent road bike, you would do well to just buy some nicer wheels and tyres and if you are desperate to try out the aero possition, some clip on aero/tri bars.

I looked at the OP's name and then point 7 above and had a little giggle

If it was me I would go with point 5 above ..£25

http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/tranz-x-jd-tb01-tri-bars-black-aluminium-prod13580/?src=froogle

It that floated my boat then look deeper into it

 

[on the road]

I would eventually like to try club cycling but they're most likely a lot faster than I am. In anycase I dont have a reason to go cycling, I just enjoy doing it and I always cycle alone. When im road cycling tho, I really want to get the most speed I can.

You'll look silly doing a club ride on a TT bike, in fact you might even get lots of unfavourable comments and odd looks.

You'll even look silly doing a normal ride on a TT bike.


In case you don't know, this is what a typical TT bike looks like

 

[DrSquirrel]

Oh and riding a deep front wheel in the wind is madness! (even durning a race )

 

[fossyant]

Even 50mm fronts can be tricky in the wind on a road bike.

 

[Rob3rt]

Is this thread an actual serious thread?

Considering the absurd nature of it, plus the OP's user name and his/her total of 5 posts I am starting to wonder!

 

[fossyant]

It probably is, given the user's name.

Might be a time for a ban - MODS ! Where are you ?