Advice on TT bikes

[rockymtguy]

Here's a can of worms to open.

A friend of mine would like to get into TTs and is wondering what TT bike he should get. I am more of a mountain biker learning road.

Does anyone have some suggestions or preferences??

Thanks,

Rockymtguy:confused:

[Chris Helwig]

I guess the question is how much do they want to spend?

Most of the TT bikes are fairly similar in terms of how aero they are. Cannondale, Trek, Litespeed, Cervelo all make TT bikes that are pretty nice. Personally my TT bike is 105 equipped, I find it performs fine for the price point. Do make sure they get a TT bike that isn't tri specific as if they are doing road TT's the tip of the saddle has to be at least 5cm behind the bottom bracket. Also as a rule most riders use longer cranks for a TT bike. I use 175mm on my TT bike but 172.5 on my road bike.

The key to a TT bike is the set up. Generally the lower you can get the more aero you are. Also I recommend being right on the 5cm rule as more forward is more aero.

Let me know about what they want to spend and I can narrow it down.

[Chuck Norris]

Ditto that. If dollars are an issue, a standard road frame is fine. The 5cm rule will pretty much limit you to standard road bike geometry anyway. The conventional logic is that your TT position should be your road position, but 'rotated' forward a few degrees. Means the seat is forward (fricking 5cm nonsense) and slightly lower. There are short seats on the market. Some guys are even cutting their saddles short to fit the rule. Once your seat position is dialed in, drop the geek-bars as low as they will go without restricting breathing and pedaling. Most guys will certainly use a longer crank. Chris goes from 172.5 to 175. I regularly use a 170, but flip to a 175 for TT's. In regards to fancy wheels, they're nowhere near the cost/benefit of a low position or even a good TT helmet (or so I've read). If your buddy is just getting into TT's, he can do it on the cheap. A small road frame, some bars, a low stem, maybe a pointy lid, and he's good to go. Then again if he's throwing the dough around, a disc and a trispoke are usually the optimium combo.

Caveat: Doesn't matter how bling his equipment is, it will do no good if he's not doing long intervals and frequent club time trials.

[rockymtguy]

Thanks guys. That's a great a start.

I don't think he want to break the bank but he does have the money to buy a new complete bike.

I will give him your recommendations.

Thanks again

Rockymtguy

ps was out riding today practicing cross in the snow. Enjoy your weather