TT bikes

[Rob3rt]

Rob, empty your wallet and get in the wind tunnel.

It's already empty

This season I did quite well fumbling about and relying on brute force but now I won't make the same gains from power increases, I am looking elsewhere for saving time. If I gain 20W this year (as opposed to the 50+W from last year) and save 20-30W in aero savings, I should go about 30-50 seconds faster in a 10. That should put me comfortably in the top 10 of a local open.

 

[Cuchilo]

Given the advice I think I will try some Tribars on the road bike first . I was going to ask if its worth it but after watching the 5 tips vid , getting used to the position is one of them . Now I just need to do the pain thing and man up

 

[Cuchilo]

Hmmmm ive put them on and have them so my arms are at 90* but I can get my back more at 90* on the hoods . It all looks good when I am stood up on the pedals but sat down it doesn't . I guess only a ride will tell .

 

[endoman]

very hard to get the right position on a road bike with clip ons. Different geometry. Flat back is not the answer for all. Depends on your body shape.

 

[Cuchilo]

No beer belly if that helps although I am working on it
Standing up and getting into that position felt nicer than sat down but then I was looking in the mirror at the angles and not cycling .
I took the bike up to the bedroom to look at my angles , that's not right is it

 

[jdtate101]

As endoman said, clip-on's on a road bike is not the same position as a full on TT bike. The TT bike is more canted over, so it's like your in your road position but with the bars much lower and your ass in the air. It feels very odd to start with, but after a few sessions on the road is actually quite comfortable (unless you are in an actual TT which is anything but comfortable!!!).

 

[Cuchilo]

Just got back from 37 miles with them on and dropped onto them at every opportunity . Its a surprisingly comfortable position to ride in aswell as delivering more power to the pedals . Maybe that's because the change of position used different muscles in the leg ? I don't know but I noticed a small increase in speed when getting on to them .
I've got a bit of a upper back / neck ache from looking up all the time but nothing to grumble about
Sooooooo when can I get a pointy hat ?

 

[Cuchilo]

Scrub the above comments . I now ache like hell !

 

[Mr Haematocrit]

What frame size do you typically ride?

 

[Cuchilo]

Im not too sure as both road bikes are Giants with compact sizing . I think they are 54CM . Small . I am 5'7" The Giant guide says conventional frame sizing 51-54 CM . seat tube /top tube 44/53.5 CM

 

[Rob3rt]

Got turbo trainer? Take side and head on pics. Pref stills from a video when riding hard.

No position expert(my position is admittedly poor, comfy and powerful but not very aero) but might be able to give a few pointers.

 

[Cuchilo]

No trainer im afraid . I was thinking of getting some better bars first . The ones I have are cheap and heavy but where bought a while ago to see if I liked them . A turbo is on the cards though .

 

[Rob3rt]

Lean against a wall maybe. Position tends to change under load though, but still, better than nothing!

 

[SteCenturion]

I did put some cheap ones on the Defy to see if I liked them but thought it made me look like a twat . Although I do a pretty good job of that without props
Its not set in stone that I will buy it , I just saw it , thought it was a good price and may be fun so asked about them here .

For twat - see pointy helmet.
Get a TT bike & wear your normal lid.

Which brand/model is it your looking at ??

I have seen the new 2014 Cube Aerium (Pro) I think.
Looks cool.

would never buy one though.

I think TT is the only part of pro tv racing I fall asleep to.
Apart from at London Games & the odd Grand Tour.

 

[SteCenturion]

Carlos's Alien S-Works Shiv nosecose is a pretty interesting TT bike.. Here's the frameset
Like it or not, the effort which has gone into the paint is iimpressive.

Gives me the Shiv-ers !!

FUGLY Bike !