Bicycle Mechanics - Frame advice.

Hello

I'm going to start building a road bike soon, sort of a winter project if you will, and im starting to look for a frame. I'v only been in the sport of riding for about a year now, and i want to start training.
I want to put a good bike together. One that i can train on, and if i chose to ride a marathon on.

I know someone who might be selling a TT frame for about the price I'm looking to spend on a frame.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a TT frame, and would this be a good fit on a custom road bike?


Thanks everyone for your time.

Hmm, a time trial frame. I don't know about that. Aren't the main differences between a TT and a road race frame just the tube shape?

What's your budget for a frame? I'm sure you could get a really nice road race frame for your money...

TT frames are extremely aggressive. Do you want comfort or fast? Or both? I have a Giant Defy Advanced 3, which is very fast, light, yet comfy. Carbon frame.

Anyway, you will hurt after riding a TT frame. Most people don't just ride them around for fun. I would, but that's because I'm 16 and don't yet have back issues.

TT frames are defined differently than they were 20 years ago when the aim was to provide a purely aerodynamic possition, way less regard for comfort.

www.excelsports.com (http://www.excelsports.com) & www.coloradocyclist.com (http://www.coloradocyclist.com) have plenty of models, some are more TT spec. than others. I'm not touting their merch. but they have good examples.

20 years ago a frame could be arc shaped, downward bow, very strange.
Cervello, Time and others have the new approach; providing extreme forward, downward seating, pure power tranfer (stiffness) supreme aerodynamics. These bikes aren't comfy, even less so than Triathete Bikes.

I've fancied having one from time to time just to blast down the road, too old now.
Interestingly enough, due to the fact that TT is so cutting edge, these bikes become yesterday's news from year to year. That may be good news for you. I see some extraordinary deals. Riders may like their more traditional "Road Bikes" year after year. It's more personal, less focused on that singular goal.
Time trialists want to shave seconds, nothing more, nothing less.

As far as long distance riding ? Maybe. Depends on the distance and other things.
I've heard ideas worse than yours.

Hello

I'm going to start building a road bike soon, sort of a winter project if you will, and im starting to look for a frame. I'v only been in the sport of riding for about a year now, and i want to start training.
I want to put a good bike together. One that i can train on, and if i chose to ride a marathon on.

I know someone who might be selling a TT frame for about the price I'm looking to spend on a frame.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a TT frame, and would this be a good fit on a custom road bike?


Thanks everyone for your time.

A TT bike is made to do one thing only. TT. It is not a general purpose road bike nor can you make it such.

I'm looking for comfort, I'm planing on doing "Ride Oregon" next summer so i need one i can be on for a long time. And i do want one that is light and fast.

Doesn't sound like the TT is going to be a good fit. I'll keep looking.

Thanks everyone for your feedback, and info.

Picking a road bike frame from the myriad of options out there isn't easy. Given your short amount of time in the sport and the fact that your post lacked any questions about frame material, I would recommend buying something very cheap (along the lines of a Nashbar aluminum frame) and then watching how your tastes develop from there. Maybe after another year you'll know if you want to stick with aluminum or go with steel, titanium, or carbon fiber. At least when you do decide, you can relatively painlessly swap the components you built the cheap frame with over to the new frame and not have wasted too much money in the learning process.

Honestly, if your budget is in the grands, then you have a plethora of options. Even in the sub $1000 range there are some amazing road frames:

http://store.somafab.com/sosmtaprrora.html

http://store.somafab.com/sostfr.html

I'm a SOMA fanboy. :D

Thats a good point joejack951, thanks.
I'll start researching some aluminum frames. I'm not quite sure what Nashbar is though.
I'm looking to spend about 100-150 on a used frame.

Thats a good point joejack951, thanks.
I'll start researching some aluminum frames. I'm not quite sure what Nashbar is though.
I'm looking to spend about 100-150 on a used frame.

Well, you know. If you want you could go vintage and do a vintage build. That would be rewarding for you, it always has been for me. Like, wow. I built that bike...

Also, Nashbar: http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/TopCategories_10053_10052_-1?PID=1699989

Use that link and this forum gets 5% of whatever you spend. :thumb:

Thats a good point joejack951, thanks.
I'll start researching some aluminum frames. I'm not quite sure what Nashbar is though.
I'm looking to spend about 100-150 on a used frame.

http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_173108_-1_201511_10000_201512
http://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product_10053_10052_172821_-1_201511_10000_201512