island rider

I'm curious, how do you go about deciding on a new TT bike. (I know, 41, but bear with me, I'm interested in this audience...)

I'm considering a new TT bike (also for use in the Tris I've started dabbling in) and have been thinking about how people in this group pick their TT bikes. I'll spare you the details of how I've done it before, but I'm curious how people have come to their decisions and what they would recommend for process. Specifically, absent the ability to take a long test ride on a high end TT bike, how have you gotten comfortable that you've made the right decision. (Again... bear with me.)

The issue is that I think there is a difference between TT bikes and other road bikes in as far as the latest trend is the integrated stem/headset being available on certain higher end models, but not the lower end. (I am interested in the integrated style.) I don't think you can make a good comparison on the bike's characteristics by just riding the entry level model and guessing that the higher end model will be pretty similar, but better. (Or maybe you can, what the hell do I know?).

misterwaterfall

I posted on a local fb group that I wanted a cheap set up, and found an aluminum p3 for $300. It now hangs on my garage wall and will likely be sold shortly.

island rider

Did you find it vertically stiff and laterally compliant with the sexy appeal of ... whatever the hell it is people write in bike reviews?

misterwaterfall

I found that it had an 11% increase in horizontal non-compliance while shaving 4.34 watts at 4 mph.

It actually is very stiff, the tryathletes don't like them because they beat you up over 100 miles, or so I'm told. If you're just getting started with a TT bike, I would get fit so you know what size you need, and look to pick up a deal either locally or on slowtwitch. You can get a decent setup for cheap if you know what you're looking for.

mattm

what I wonder is is there a big difference between a tri bike and a real tt bike?

if I ever bought a tt bike if want to make sure i got a "real" one.

Hida Yanra

Difference? yes, "big difference?"... not unless you use it in races where they'll jig your bike for UCI compliance.

misterwaterfall

Outside of interval drink systems and the goofy nutrition set ups that the tri guys run, I don't think there's much of a difference.

mattm

the uci thing would matter at NRC races right? such as cascade pro/1 field.

Hida Yanra

depends, but yeah- quite likely.

mattm

Yeah I just know a local cat 2 woman found out the hard way that her TT bike wasn't UCI legal at Cascade, and I'd hate to run into the same fate after lugging two bikes up there..

Not a huge deal since there's a 40% chance I'll even attempt Pro/1 Cascade, much less bring a TT bike if I did.

I just wouldn't want to pick up some TT bike meant for 112 mile iron man rides when I need it for <40k TTs, not to mention the UCI legality deal.

valygrl

got a retul fit before purchasing to determine reach/stack, then bought the bike that met the size criteria from my team's bike shop.

island rider

I think the difference between tri and TT is in the ratios of the tubes it's got to be 3:1, but I can't recall the actual issue calculations. The other difference I've found is in the preference for ride characteristic and for component setup. For instance, my current TT/Tri tide feels too soft to me. I would prefer something stiffer and that's allegedly not what the Tri guys like (I think I've heard the same things as MisterWaterall). Also, when I bought it they stocked it with a compact crank, which didn't strike me as the appropriate equipment for a TT, so off it went.

My real issue is I want a BMC TM01, like bad...

ShutUpLegs

The big difference are the Shiv Tri and new Felt IA when compared to a uci legal TT bike. When you take those away, for the most part I don't feel like there is a big difference as far as performance (not that the 2 formally mentioned are significantly above the rest, but I feel they are "faster"). It is still debated that the P3 and Transition are not far behind the likes of the P5 and Shiv TT as far as aerodynamics.

I had no intentions of buying a "super" bike when I was looking for a TT bike. Actually planned on a regular slice with some cockpit upgrades, but a new Slice RS Black Inc came across my eyes at a price I will never find ever again (at least until outdated) and I had to jump on it.

furiousferret

The ratio is 3:1.

The Specialized Shiv has a illegal tri specific bike, as does the Fuji D6, but most others are legal. Avoid softrides (obviously). Tri setups tend to be more comfort based, since the time in the saddle is much longer. In TT's, you can suffer in a tight position for the duration, not so much in a 4-6 hour ride. Most of that is done with stem and seat positioning.

I have a Speed Concept 7.0, it doesn't have an integrated stem. I bought it for Tri's, but took all the buffet holders off and plan to use it in a few omniums next year. I'm going to drop the stem as far as it goes, and try to get the back a bit more horizontal.

Comfort on a TT bike is much different. When I ride it alot, I could stay in the aero bars all day. Last time I rode it, I couldn't go straight in aero if my life depended on it. You want that fine line of being aero and maybe slightly uncomfortable, but not enough that the uncomfort causes you to sit up.

mattm

More than I ever wanted to know about UCI-legal TT bikes: https://s3.amazonaws.com/USACWeb/for...n-Controls.pdf

island rider

Well, good thing I'm unlikely to ever be in a time trial enforcing UCI rules.

revchuck 

They really need a better translator.

gtrob

A lot of bikes have illegal front forks, including the speed concepts now (the 3:1 rule). Also the P5, take a look at a picture of Hesedal doing a TT and the skinny fork he has to use. Granted, you have to get to a pretty important race before they check this, and MOST of the time I only get checked for seat and bar extension in relation to the BB (both of which should almost always be adjustable enough on any bike).

That said outside of state/national/UCI racing, I find USAC races to be very liberal with TT rules, for the sole purpose of trying to get more triathletes out of the water and into real racing.

Creakyknees

...whichever bike I can borrow off of a buddy, that roughly fits me ... and my tt results reflect that level of diligence.

asgelle

My experience has been just the opposite. USAC applies their rules rigidly with no wiggle room whatsoever even in the most minor local races.

island rider

I recall seeing something (where I can't tell you) in a set of TT rules (by which I think I mean the flyer) saying that the Shiv and other non-conforming bikes were eligible to be ridden.

(None of which is helping me come up with a plan to justify spending several k on a new TT/Tri bike. ]

Racer Ex 

Funny. At Bend/Nats I watched them check bikes, say "you're not legal, but we will let you race". At another event I had an email from the head of rules that said they weren't enforcing a 3:1 rule on aerobars at the event I was at and the official sniffed "well, he didn't tell ME".

Several recent masters nats records have been set on a non compliant bike.

And don't get me started on the UCI/fuselage rule.

Cool article on Bike Radar about the Lotus. Who knows what we'd be riding these days if the Luddites would get out of the way.

asgelle

Yes, those are all the UCI equipment rules. USAC can be wobbly on UCI rules but absolutely rigid on their own. The post I was referring to said outside state/national/UCI races; i.e., ones where UCI rules don't apply.

Racer Ex 

I'm not sure they have rules half the time. Seems to be region to region on what gets enforced and how stringently. I got suspended in Texas for dropping an F bomb on a guy who ran me over in the staging area. Literally ran me over going 25 through a crowd of people. In SoCal you can call people *******, ********, $*&%&^, and even () and the officials just laugh.

Guys showed up in Texas on Softrides for states and got waved through.

asgelle

Yes. Why not? State Championships don't require UCI equipment.