TT Bikes

Khannie

Do all you racing cyclists have TT bikes as well as just "bikes"? If so, what's the major benefit? And why wouldn't you use a TT bike on the road normally?

Yes, I have a lot of questions. Fire ahead and move this to a thread if you like mods. I'll just have ongoing questions about lots of different things and don't want to clutter things up.

Captain Havoc

I don't have a TT bike and recently sold my TT bars as I'm a fecker for moving up and down gears during a race or time trial. Generally having TT bars or a TT bike in a group is frowned upon due to the danger they cause both from having less control over the bike if someone taps you or you hit a pothole and also the danger they could cause if you did fall in a group.

Chips Lovell

Khannie wrote: »

Do all you racing cyclists have TT bikes as well as just "bikes"? If so, what's the major benefit? And why wouldn't you use a TT bike on the road normally?

Yes, I have a lot of questions. Fire ahead and move this to a thread if you like mods. I'll just have ongoing questions about lots of different things and don't want to clutter things up.

Some do. Some just use clip on aerobars for TTs. TT bikes can only be used for TTs and you wouldn't be doing that many. They're also not the most comfortable things to ride.

shaungil

It's an excuse for cyclists to spend more money on another bike to add to their race bike, their good race bike , their winter hack bike their cyclo bike, their mountain bike to shop bike their race mountain bike their cruising chopper their BMX and of course no self respecting cyclist will not complete their stable without a recumbent.

Then there are wheels......

My new TT bike has not left the attic since last summer as I haven't had time to do a TT and of course it needs nice Zipps to go on it.

As Captain Havoc says the look in a club spin if someone turns up on a TT bike is one of horror fear and disgust combined into one, it also can be the sign of a triathlete:eek:

Khannie

el tonto wrote: »

TT bikes can only be used for TTs

Why is that? (edit: Is it just the drops / lack of?)

Beasty

TT bikes are specialist, and would only be really suitable for riding TTs or doing triathlons

One of the major downsides is gearing - specialist TT bikes have shifters at the end of the TT bars - great if you are continually on the bars (as you pretty much are when TT'ing), but not so good when you are sat up

The brakes, however, are on the hand bars at each side, meaning it is difficult to access both gears and brakes (which you tend to only need when cornering/turning in TTs) when in built up areas for example

Aero bar clip-ons don't have the gears attached, so you need to be regularly changing position to change gears, although this is a much better option for "regular" cycling, such as your own commute Khannie - I know CDaly uses clip-ons regularly and when you are used to them they can be quite comfortable and increase overall speeds considerably over longer distances particularly on the old N roads with hard shoulders to ride on (such as the R132)

Chips Lovell

Khannie wrote: »

Why is that?

Large due to safety reasons. If you've got your hands on the aerobars, you can't brake in a hurry. The UCI is also quite keen on keeping traditional bike designs in use for road races.

niceonetom

Khannie wrote: »

Why is that?

It's a rule and it actually makes sense. TT bikes are twitchy at the best of times and (Di2 apart) you can either change gears or brake, not both, it any position. In short, you're more likely to crash and when you do you're more likely to impale someone on those pointy bits.

They are faster, no doubt, but that extra speed comes at the expense of everything else - comfort, stability, responsiveness, comfort and comfort. They are also less comfortable.

Khannie

Nice one. Thanks everyone. That clears that up. Didn't know about the shifters / brakes thing. Interesting stuff.

Beasty

To be clear, it's a rule of racing - you are free to use TT bikes on the road generally, but as outlined in a number of posts above, it's not particularly advisable, unless training, TT'ing or taking part in a triathlon

Lumen

TT bikes are hateful instruments of torture.

Chips Lovell

Someone should introduce skinsuits with an integrated saddle. You then bolt yourself on to the bike for TTs.

niceonetom

Elbow cleats.

Pat Kavanagh

shaungil wrote: »

It's an excuse for cyclists to spend more money on another bike to add to their race bike, their good race bike , their winter hack bike their cyclo bike, their mountain bike to shop bike their race mountain bike their cruising chopper their BMX and of course no self respecting cyclist will not complete their stable without a recumbent.

Then there are wheels......

My new TT bike has not left the attic since last summer as I haven't had time to do a TT and of course it needs nice Zipps to go on it.

As Captain Havoc says the look in a club spin if someone turns up on a TT bike is one of horror fear and disgust combined into one, it also can be the sign of a triathlete:eek:

You mean you don't have a classic 70s or 80s' bike ....
Or a hybrid to potter around with the missus .....
And you can take none of the above on the track ....

Notch000

excuse the ignorance but why are TT bikes used for Triathlons & not road racing & vive versa ? what the fundamental difference between the two race types ?

TinyExplosions

Notch000 wrote: »

excuse the ignorance but why are TT bikes used for Triathlons & not road racing & vive versa ? what the fundamental difference between the two race types ?

As mentioned above, they aren't good for group riding. In TT's and triathlons you are not allowed cycle in a bunch, indeed you have to keep a good distance between you and anyone in front (except for some triathlons, but that's for a different forum!)

b00mIR

I love TT's but the expense of a TT bike is only ever justified if you have to potential to be a good tester. This can be done either by doing TT's with clip on bars and TT helmet and comparing your times to some TT specialists in your cat etc. or by getting a power test done which when place on a power profile will give you an idea of your strengths and weaknesses in cycling. Ones ability to time trial is based on their functional threshold power. I'm sure there is a thread that explains this more thouroughly

power profile (http://www.blobert.com/Main/Power_Profile_Chart_files/powerprofile_v4.gif)

Bambaata

And to balance up the uncomfortable posts, i find my TT bike far more comfortable than my roadie. If its fitted right it really shouldnt be uncomfortable. Reason my roadie isnt as nice is poor fit, its too big for me while the TT rig seems to be perfect (tested to 150km in bars no probs). As a result of my TT being more comfortable i use it for every ride these days, the roadie is packed away in the shed. Son i dont think its fair to say they're more uncomfortable.

AstraMonti

If it's comfortable then you are probably not going hard enough. Even a road bike with clip on bars is not comfortable.

Beasty

I think a lot of the "comfort" points made are aimed at the effort required/expected in a TT.

I agree a TT bike at modest to hard effort can be quite comfortable, but when you have been in the crouched postion for over an hour pushing it at or near threshhold to try and get your best time most cyclists are going to be feeling pretty uncomfortable

Beasty

b00mIR wrote: »

I love TT's but the expense of a TT bike is only ever justified if you can afford it

FYP;)

Your power point is only part of the story - the chart you linked to is all about power per kg, and where you sit in the table can give a good indication of whether you can be a good TT'er relative to the categories shown

However it's ultimately down to a combination of power, weight and aerodynamics - the bike calculator can give you a much better idea of absolute speed taking into account these factors (as well as the wind and slope of the course)

IMO, the question is not are you a good "tester", but will a TT bike make the difference that allows you to hit your goals (such as winning an event against other riders who will have "invested" in similar equipment)

G2ECE

Just bought a TT bike (through boards) over the weekend and took it out for a spin yesterday, have to say that while it probably is not as comfortable a ride, i certainly got more speed from less effort, I will have to do an experiment and see how much quicker it really is in comparison to the road bike, I'll let you all know the results. Either way, It's worth having it to look good !!!!

ednwireland

khannie - just buy one , you know you want to

ROK ON

TinyExplosions wrote: »

As mentioned above, they aren't good for group riding. In TT's and triathlons you are not allowed cycle in a bunch, indeed you have to keep a good distance between you and anyone in front (except for some triathlons, but that's for a different forum!)

The group riding thing is not strictly enforced due to lack or marshals etc.
I did the bike part of a tri a few weeks back and witnessed large amounts of drafting. I was also held up by a few birds cycling in a group with no intention of getting out of my way.

FWIW I would ban TT bikes from racing. If Kelly can TT on his race bike then so can everyone else.

BTH

ROK ON wrote: »

The group riding thing is not strictly enforced due to lack or marshals etc.
I did the bike part of a tri a few weeks back and witnessed large amounts of drafting. I was also held up by a few birds cycling in a group with no intention of getting out of my way.

FWIW I would ban TT bikes from racing. If Kelly can TT on his race bike then so can everyone else.

Get him, get him *pitchforks*

I was in the same race, and I think the main problem there was the narrow roads and the miserable weather. No draft buster wanted to be out on those roads nor was there any room for them. Most races have draft-busters dotted around the course and drafting is a much less common thing. (you'll always have those who will try to cheat)

Oh, and unfortunately I'm no Sean Kelly!

FatSh!te

Apparently the major overhall of the TriAthy cycle course (slightly hiller, far more technical with a decent loop down lanes with 90deg bends) & presence of on course pentalty boxes with 4 motorbike draft mashals - was partly to combat the rampant drafting that was going on in previous years despit the presence of a couple of marshals.

ROK ON

BetterThanHoyte wrote: »

I was in the same race, and I think the main problem there was the narrow roads and the miserable weather. No draft buster wanted to be out on those roads nor was there any room for them. Most races have draft-busters dotted around the course and drafting is a much less common thing. (you'll always have those who will try to cheat)
QUOTE]

Tru dat. However having spoken to experienced triathletes, I get a sense that many tris have so few marshals that its possible to chance your arm and get away with it.

TinyExplosions

ROK ON wrote: »

The group riding thing is not strictly enforced due to lack or marshals etc.
I did the bike part of a tri a few weeks back and witnessed large amounts of drafting. I was also held up by a few birds cycling in a group with no intention of getting out of my way.

FWIW I would ban TT bikes from racing. If Kelly can TT on his race bike then so can everyone else.

Hence my "not always in tri terms"

My point was more for real cycling

mloc123

Drafting in tri is all too common. Some races more so than others.

Comfort wise I have been on my tt bike since January and only used my road bike last week as I was too lazy to unpack my tt.

My tt is more comfortable, position is everything tho. Some people will go for an overly aggresive position only to spend all their time on the hoods as they cannot hold it. Comfort, power and aero... In that order.

petethedrummer

Bambaata wrote: »

And to balance up the uncomfortable posts, i find my TT bike far more comfortable than my roadie. If its fitted right it really shouldnt be uncomfortable. Reason my roadie isnt as nice is poor fit, its too big for me while the TT rig seems to be perfect (tested to 150km in bars no probs). As a result of my TT being more comfortable i use it for every ride these days, the roadie is packed away in the shed. Son i dont think its fair to say they're more uncomfortable.

I bought the wrong size slippers and they aren't as comfortable as my work boots. Ergo, workboots are more comfortable than slippers.

J Madone

Is it just me or anyone notice how serious TTers are, like
Way too serious to acknowledge another cyclist who gives them a nod!
Must be the position they are in gives them the racing scowl all the time.

niceonetom

J Madone wrote: »

Is it just me or anyone notice how serious TTers are, like
Way too serious to acknowledge another cyclist who gives them a nod!
Must be the position they are in gives them the racing scowl all the time.

People you see on TT bikes are usually either triathletes (and therefore should not be acknowledged anyway and any acknowledgement they give you should be blanked) or roadies DEEP in the cave.

It's unfair to expect me to break my perfect aero form to mime some sort of "hey, you're on a bike while I'm on a bike! How about that! WOOO!" message at you but occasionally I manage an almost perceptible thumbs-up. You have to be looking very closely to see it because of my awesome speed though.

Riding a TT bike is serious business.

Beasty

niceonetom wrote: »

You have to be looking very closely to see it because of my awesome speed though.

One guy shot past me at race speed on a TT bike last night as I was standing by the roadside and gave me the thumbs-up;)

J Madone

That's because he bet you, albeit you didn't know you were racing him. Better luck next time.

Beasty

J Madone wrote: »

That's because he bet you, albeit you didn't know you were racing him. Better luck next time.

I was standing by the roadside, so of course he beat me, as I wasn't moving!!

I think it was his boards jersey that made him particularly friendly though ...