Road Cycling - Road vs Time Trial bike

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frankr
03-11-04, 10:36 AM
Time Trial Bike

Started doing our locale individual time trial event four years ago. There are five 20-K ITT events that take place on our State Park, which is as flat as a pancake. I usually take second place in my age group missing out of first by 30 to 40 seconds. I’m thinking of purchasing a Time Trial bike. How much difference if any between a road bike with clip on aero-bars vs. a time trail bike? Could I expect to better my time? The person I keep losing to rides a Time Trial bike.

Sparky511
03-11-04, 10:59 AM
I let you know when I finish building mine! (I just got my frame earlier this week....)
Flaneur
03-11-04, 05:50 PM
-take a look at your training and position on your present bike before you spend any money. Chances are your rival is a little fitter or a bit more aerodynamically efficient; these deficiencies can be remedied for free!

When you are satisfed that every avenue has been explored on those two subjects....... how is your technique? Are you smooth, pedalling the most effective gears for the race conditions? Do you corner well and sprint out of hairpins? How do you cope with wind and rain?

Done with that? When did you last re-grease your wheel and bracket bearings? Change your chain? Is your bike as sweetly adjusted as it can be? Is it comfortable enough for longer races?

30 seconds is either a chasm or nothing at all.......depending on your point of view. If you like your present bike, you might want to eliminate the other variables that affect your performance before trading it in.