"The 33"-Road Bike Racing - Upgrades from Base TT

Hi All,

So as winter begins to set in I've started pondering my aero setup for TT's next year. I've catted up to 3's and many of my races will be 1/2/3 or 2/3 affairs so I'm looking for any advantage I can get.I've refined my aero position and setup pretty well and I've fulfilled much of Dr. WJO's list lately.

Currently my TT bike is a Lemond Limoge (see: picture below). It isn't the fastest bike out there I know but for my first TT bike I couldn't say no when Trek was almost giving them away after their falling out with Lemond (I work at a shop). I'm thinking of upgrading the TT bike to something a bit more aero (and carbon).

http://www.bike-alog.com/bikepedia/Helpers/thumb2.aspx?w=400&h=400&filename=2006-LeMond-Limoges.jpg

For discretions sake I'll put in the base price of the cheapest one as 'x' and then add dollars on top of that (these are approximates).

(These three only, due to team sponsorships/Employee Purchase prices)
Trek Equinox 9.9------ xxx dollars
Felt B2 ---------------xxx+250 dollars
C'Dale Slice 1--------- xxx+350 dollars

In terms of the aerodynamics of frames, where would I be best off going? Although I showed all prices it really seems to be down to the Equinox v. the B2. The big differences I see are the Bayonet fork, hidden rear brake, more fairing to the DT and a larger fairing off the ST. I think I've heard either WJO or RacerEx mention that the Equinox is usually second in many tests (with Cervelo first) giving Trek it's weight as well.

So with this in mind (and a large post behind me) what would those with experience recommend? Thanks for your help.

Trek Equinox 9.9------ xxx dollars
Felt B2 ---------------xxx+250 dollars


Which ever fits better.

Which ever fits better.

I was wondering how long until that one came up :rolleyes: so I'll give you my three step "why 'whatever fits better' does not apply here".

Step 1 - I am tall (6'4) most LBS' don't stock my size of frame
Step 2 - The businesses in question where I get the bike deals only stock small/medium in the Trek/Cannondale and do not stock the B2 at all
Step 3 - I go to school in Montana and live in Central Canada, therefore there are no other shops within a reasonable distance either. Plus I'd hate to put a salesman through the entire "fit" procedure only to walk out and buy the bike elsewhere, as a salesman myself I know how much that sucks.

#1 What is your overall budget?
#2 What wheels do you sport on your bike?

As opposed to buying a new bike, I would throw money at wheels and a powertap.

I race a guy who has that same frame. He's doing 28mph. It ain't the frame. (says the guy with an expensive frame... :thumb: )

#1 What is your overall budget?
#2 What wheels do you sport on your bike?

As opposed to buying a new bike, I would throw money at wheels and a powertap.

I race a guy who has that same frame. He's doing 28mph. It ain't the frame. (says the guy with an expensive frame... :thumb: )

#1 - I put in the x's above to protect the privacy of my employee purchase/team discount deals. Suffice it to say they are all within budget, but significantly below a comparable bike from another manufacturer.
#2 - Currently I have a set of FSA RD-488's (50mm deep carbon tubulars) as well as a powertap rear wheel for training.

Basically off of Dr. WJO's list the things I'm missing are windtunnel, expensive frame, "true" disc wheel (I have a cover for the powertap) and ceramics

I'd lean towards the Trek. I'm not a fan of the looks but it's been an effective weapon for years and they haven't been running to change it. Hard to argue the track record and Cervelo's own testing showed it to be very close to the P3 at zero yaw and better than the DA, which presumably would have better numbers than the B2. Seriously considered one.

Having eyeballed the Trek and ridden the DA, I think the larger size Trek would be stiffer also.

This is assuming the TTX or whatever they are calling their carbon model?

I was wondering how long until that one came up :rolleyes: so I'll give you my three step "why 'whatever fits better' does not apply here".

Step 1 - I am tall (6'4) most LBS' don't stock my size of frame
Step 2 - The businesses in question where I get the bike deals only stock small/medium in the Trek/Cannondale and do not stock the B2 at all
Step 3 - I go to school in Montana and live in Central Canada, therefore there are no other shops within a reasonable distance either. Plus I'd hate to put a salesman through the entire "fit" procedure only to walk out and buy the bike elsewhere, as a salesman myself I know how much that sucks.

Just because you can't test ride the bikes, doesn't mean you can't buy the bike that will fit better. Take measurements off your current TT bike (assuming it fits well and your position is good) and compare it to the other bikes. As an example, you might find that one has a shorter top tube that will make it hard to fit to your build.

If the geometry is similar among the bikes, I'd go with the Trek.