Maybe I need a TT bike?

NoNameNoNumber

NoNameNoNumber

NoNameNoNumber

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Joined
25 Nov 2009
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Hey guys,

I've signed up for my first triathlon this September and so clipped a pair of TT bars on the front of my trusty road setup. Seems to work well and I'm flying but now seeing as I have really taken to the solo efforts of triathlon training most of which are sessions on the TT bars I have started to notice a flaw or two... My hip angle has tightened up to 42º which leaves me feeling very cramped on the bike., I cannot slide the saddle any further forward nor can I lift my seatpost any higher to straighten my leg... Knee is at 137º.... Sooo I've been looking at TT frames to build my bike into mainly the Planet X Stealth or Exocet.

I've never ridden a TT bike before, people tell me they're heavier and don't descend very well, and that I should maybe go for a TT bike with drop bars and clip-ons. This wont be a summer dry day princess. It'll have to stand up to being ridden over the peaks (Eckington, Apperknowle, Owler Bar, Beeley Bank etc) come rain or shine... The Stealth and Exocet are OK with that arent they?

What do I need to know? The tri is in Lanzarote, up Tabayesco so needs to climb like a mountain goat and be stable at 50mph+ :D
 
I rode over 500km in Lanzarote last December on a Planet X Stealth, couldn't really fault it. That included the entire Ironman bike course and everything worth climbing.

There are some good deals on the Exocet 2 right now as it's being cleared out for the Exo3.
 
Ah that's pretty much perfect then, I did similar on the specialized tarmac a few years ago but then there aren't really any technical decsents or blind tree lined corners seeing as nothing grows!

Was that full TT setup or drop bars?
 
It was this bad boy.

UMbDqXsl.jpg

Descending is definitely a bit scarier on aero bars but you get used to it. I also got great practice at handling deep rims in strong winds!
 
Personally, I like using a TT bike for any solo rides where I wouldn't be drafting people. If I'm not alone, then it's a road bike. As long as it's geared appropriately, there won't be any difference in climbing on a TT bike.

Here is the ride I did last year on Christmas day on the bike above.

https://www.strava.com/activities/456058886
 
Shamrock said:
There won't be any difference in climbing on a TT bike.
Click to expand...

I'm curious about this :) as I'm considering giving some TT rides ago and possibly a conversion.

Obviously one doesn't climb anything significant/sustained whilst in an aero tuck but I'd (in my inexperience/lack of knowledge on the subject) have thought the differing position would be a bit of a hindrance? Please educate me :D
 
Well I can't speak for others, but I certainly don't climb in the TT/aero position except maybe on a short rise if I'm carrying some speed. I climb on the normal bars (where the brake levers are) which is basically the same position as the hoods on a road bike.
 
Presumably the TT saddle height & position being further forward doesn't make a massive difference in this aspect. I guess also that climbs aren't going to be that long in duration for it to start to become an issue. Thanks :)
 
I hate climbing on my TT bike! The hand position is horrible and whenever I stand up I smash my knees off the bars (which are wing profile so very sharp at the back).
Descending isnt much better either when you're on tight roads and you need to sit up and cover the brakes. Good fun descending on the aero bars though!
 
Too much... I need to climb like a mountain goat :D

Although I had a look in store yesterday, they are VERY nice looking bikes...

SRAM force or Ultegra though... Thoughts? I've always ridden with shimano but happy to go for SRAM if they're comparable...
 
A quick google suggests the major differences between a road & TT bike geometry is a seat tube angle of 76-78 degrees. How essential is this? Plenty of people seem to get on well with road bikes and tweaking their position & reach however else necessary.

I guess what I'm asking is how difficult is it to adjust your position to make it as optimal as possible on a non-TT specific frame?

I've read you can spin the saddle mount on the top of some seatposts 180 degrees to shift the saddle further forward but there must be more to it in addition to lowering the front end?

(Of course flexibility and comfort have to be accounted for).
 
Problem I have Benny is on the aero bars I'm riding right on the rivet, to the point where my knees touch my elbows!

So yes I can move my saddle forward but it wouldn't really solve the issue, or perhaps it would but it'd create others.

Also, opening up the hip angle should help me run better- according to my training partner who is going for his 6th Ironman no so I'm happy to take his advice :)
 
My question were more for anyone else reading (as well as my own potential conversion) rather than to critisise your decision for a TT frame :)
 
Nail on the head :D

So then, which wheel set.

Screenshot_20160706-141022_zpsxemljkpf.png



Or £350 for planet x 52mm carbon clinchers.
 
Oooo. Love my FR3's but if you're going all Aero TT then it has to be something deeper surely? :)

Can get some good bargains used if you're that way inclined :cool:
 
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