"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Suggestions for cockpit TT bike

In the next week or so I am going to purchasing and building up my first TT bike and am looking for some suggestions for the build. The bike is going to be the ridley Dean, wheels are good (Zipp disc rear with reynolds SDV66 front as it's what I already have), as is the component group for the most part (shimano dura ace/ultegra/105 mismatch, though am debating trying out the sram stuff). Cranks may be something else if there is a reason to change from the standard shimano ultegra that would match the rest of the group.

The cockpit is what I'm having the hardest time with. Adjustability is the number one priority because I assume I'm going to be playing with the position for a while until I have it dialed in. The oval concept would be what match the bike, but I've heard good things about the vision stuff too and I really like the way it looks or I could go with profile which I can get a great deal on. Oval is definitely more expenisve, not sure if it's any better though, vision looks the best, profile is the cheapest. Straight bar or a slight S bend preferably. I know seats for road riding are very personal, but I was wondering if there are any general recommendations for a good TT seat out there as well. Anything else that I need to know for the first build up would be appreciated as well.

If you need padding
http://images.competitivecyclist.com/images/products/selle_italia/2008/7846_i_1.jpg

I also like the Selle SMP.

As far as adjustability go for a look ergostem, a cheap basebar, and cheap clip-ons. You should be able to adjust everything except for hand position unless you get something highly adjustable like the Zipp Vuka, or HED flip lite clip ons. Then when you find a final position in a year or two, get a fixed stem.

ohh wow, just checked out the price on the Vuka. A little out of the price range. So basically look stem, bullhorns, and clip ons for now.

Vuka's suck. This is one man's opinion from riding with them for the last three months. Apparently, I pull on the bars and one of the extensions slip. You can only torque the bars so much.

This is making my decision to go with the Easton Attack TT easier and more apparent.

The Profile bars are by far the most adjustable of the bunch. My personal favorites are the Visions, though, if you know you won't need to adjust too much. You can get quite a bit lower and narrower with the Visions. You can adjust the reach, and the drop on the Profiles, though, whereas with the Visions, you cut to adjust reach. No experience with Zipps or Blackwells, but personally, I'd stay away from the higher priced stuff. I don't particularly like the way the Ovals mount.

I've ridden the Fizik, Selle Italia, Blackwell (flow), and Specialized TT saddles. I didn't like the Fizik at all, but the Selle, Blackwell, and Specialized (the new one that just came out -- tritip?) have all been fine. The Specialized is my personal favorite and the one I currently use.

Vision is sexy

see if your favorite road saddle comes in a "tri" version.

I built a budgett TT bike recently , perhaps this will help.

here's the frame I am using $375 w/ carbon fork.

http://i32.tinypic.com/fbvllf.jpg

I stripped it and painted it flat black ( yes with Krylon and use steel wool to clean it up) . :

$20 Brakes: Cervelo - eBaY
$70 Front & rear Derail Ultegra
$70 Keo Sprint Pedals
$65 Dura Ace Shifter
$0 Gossamer FSA Crankset ( had extra )
$0 Using extra wheels I had in the garage but own various Aero Wheels (Reynolds DV46T pictured )
$0 Selle Italia Flite Saddle had lying around
$0 Bontrager Seatpost I cut had in garage about to go into the garbage
$0 Quintana Roo Stem I had in my tool box
$0 Dura Ace Cassette 11-23 I had Extra Cassette ( not pictured ) 12/27 pictured -
$375 Frame and Fork ( carbon Steerer )
$0 Misc , skewers, Cables , Spacers.. i have plenty at the shop.
$85 for T2 Base bars and Aero Extensions with risers -
$50 carbon brake levers

$735 total : = time trial bike

I got the pedals , ultegra rear and front derail from PBK because it's cheaper than my cost.

Saddle still needs slight adjustment

http://i38.tinypic.com/5kli0j.jpg
http://i38.tinypic.com/29dagya.jpg
http://i37.tinypic.com/n2mxaq.jpg

where did you snag that frame... its sexy

So how do you like the normal road saddle for TT's? The rest of that build looks pretty sweet for the price though. I just picked up some of the profile bars, but I called ridley and apparently the frame isn't going to be released until next month or maybe even September so I've got a while to decide on the rest of the group. Ultegra brakes and cranks I already have as well as brake levers. Need to decide on 105 or ultegra derr., stem, seat and I think that's it.

That saddle is going to hurt if you're riding it like you're supposed to, haha. Ditch the White bar tape ;)

I also like the Selle SMP.

+ 1000
You can sit anywhere on an SMP (including way up front) and still get full blood flow to your reproductive bits. It makes all the other cutout seats look like lame attempts. If you have any numbness issues, try a Selle SMP saddle-- the Evo is a good start- has some padding, though you may want a Stratos if you have a really bony rear.

Ditto on where did you get that frame/fork

That saddle is going to hurt if you're riding it like you're supposed to, haha. Ditch the White bar tape ;)

i actually find the saddle pretty comfy. no issues. granted i have not done any rides longer than 20 miles on it. but most of the TT i want to get involved in are less than 15 miles.

as for the frame i picked it up at chucksbikes.com

Wow, really, even riding on the nose?

yeah. That's pretty much where I am on it most of the time. Sometimes I scoot back a little but but usually I'm up front on it. Different strokes for different folkes I guess. I know a few guys using road saddles. 2 Or 3 guys using the Selle italia SLR etc. .

I ride a Poggio saddle (same idea) end up just a little to one side (non soft tissue) can do an hour+ comfy (for a TT bike at least)

I really like my Easton Attacks