Building TT Bike for Road
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 72
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Building TT Bike for Road
So I figure this question has probably been asked into the ground, but I was wondering if there were any advantages into building a TT frame into a road bike. I ride mostly longer distances at a decent pace(19-20mph) with hills, and am looking to invest in a new bike. I found a good deal on a Specialized S-Works TT frame, and was thinking of building it into a nice road bike. I know about bike building, but am not exactly positive of the frame differences or if they have would have any negative impacts etc...Just wondering if anyone has any experience of knowledge of this?
Thanks
Thanks
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,454
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Don't do it. You'll be stuck with the TT frame geometry, and your bike will look silly. The handling and seat position will be off. Also, it may be harder to sell the bike in the end.
#3
Philly Fanatic
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 168
Bikes: 2010 Tarmac Expert
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I just did a long hilly tour and all the guys who brought TT bikes for the ride were beat up or injured by the end of it. They are incredibly stiff frames built for shorter distances in super aggressive positions, not long, hilly roads as you have described. You won't be as comfortable as you could be, your handling will be off because they're really designed for going relatively straight and not making nimble maneuvers, and your bike will be a sail for cross winds even more so than aero road frames.
You could always try it out and resell the frameset for a road frameset if you don't like it. Since you're getting a good deal on the TT frameset you might make a gain on the sale if you went this route.
You could always try it out and resell the frameset for a road frameset if you don't like it. Since you're getting a good deal on the TT frameset you might make a gain on the sale if you went this route.
#5
Administrator
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Delaware shore
Posts: 13,569
Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1102 Post(s)
Liked 2,135 Times
in
1,440 Posts
The bottom line for TT bikes is getting your body forward so you can maintain a better position with aero bars. Think of your body moved forward so your forearms, shoulders and head sticks out more than they do on a road bike. Then imagine how comfortable you will be with road bars and what the handling is like. That should give you an idea.
#6
pan y agua
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Jacksonville
Posts: 31,273
Bikes: Willier Zero 7; Merlin Extralight; Calfee Dragonfly tandem, Calfee Adventure tandem; Cervelo P2; Motebecane Ti Fly 29er; Motebecanne Phantom Cross; Schwinn Paramount Track bike
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1428 Post(s)
Liked 697 Times
in
353 Posts
If you want a road bike frame that's aero, there are a number of options now, such a Cervelo's S series bikes, Ridley Noah, etc.
These will give you an aero frame, and more conventional geometry that wil be better suited to a road bike.
These will give you an aero frame, and more conventional geometry that wil be better suited to a road bike.
__________________
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
You could fall off a cliff and die.
You could get lost and die.
You could hit a tree and die.
OR YOU COULD STAY HOME AND FALL OFF THE COUCH AND DIE.
#9
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,677
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Tri bikes are fine for hilly courses, intricate maneuvering and long days in the saddle. Most pro triathletes will take their TT bike with them to any event that is not draft legal. Ironman St. George is a 112 windy hilly bike course and here we see 2nd overall riding a Spec Transition:
https://www.gjfreepress.com/article/2...NEWS/100529960
What they are not great at is serving as a road bike with 73-4 Seat tube angles.
https://www.gjfreepress.com/article/2...NEWS/100529960
What they are not great at is serving as a road bike with 73-4 Seat tube angles.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Shorewood IL
Posts: 69
Bikes: KHS Flite 1000
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I've been thinking the same thing the past few months. I went to a lot of bike shops and everyone said the same thing, if you don't do triathlons don't get a tri bike. I got that from every shop I went to. I almost pulled the trigger on a new Cervelo P2 for an awesome price but I really wanted the Cervelo S2 so I did some negotiating with the chief at home and she let me get an S2! I just got it yesterday. Call some local shops, they're about 20% off right now.
Good luck
Good luck
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 51
Bikes: Jamis Ventura Sport
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
TT with hills and long distance would be a chore and a pain for your body just go with a really good road with aero bars