Roadbike to TT bike?

Statler

Possible stupid question alert.... Is there any reason why I can't put a set of aero bars on a road bike? Not just clip ons, I'm talking a full conversion. Would eventually take the plunge and get a TT frame, but for the amount of use it would get it's a bit hard to justify. So, I'm thinking converting the bars on one of my roadbikes would give me a TT bike of sorts, plus a perfect excuse to get a set of new deep section wheels.
Good idea/ Bad idea?

Lemag

Statler wrote: »

Is there any reason why I can't put a set of aero bars on a road bike? Not just clip ons, I'm talking a full conversion.

Should be fine so long as the bars are a suitable fit for your stem.

blorg

Some people do this. It really depends how good a position you can get on it- the shorter the head tube the more likely you can get a good position. My track bike is basically a TT frame and I can get the bars significantly lower than I can on my road bike. On the road bike I could go lower on aerobars but am limited by the head tube; on the track bike I actually have to put spacers under the stem as fully down the position is too extreme and uncomfortable. I'm only a few mm off on the road bike though so if you have a short head tube you should be able to get a decent position. You can also use a negative angle stem to get the bars down lower.

Someone posted a list of time benefits recently, incidentally, that had deep section wheels pretty much at the bottom of the list; shoe covers give you more, apparently.

Statler

Cheers for the replies, fairly sure I'll be able to go low enough with the bars, although never having ridden a TT bike I'm not too sure. Being honest this is one of those things that will probably result in a new frame/bike, but for now I'm convincing myself I'll stick to a budget.
Saw the list of time benefits alright, I keep telling myself the aero wheels are way down the list but I don't seem to be listening!

blorg

A general rule of thumb is to aim for a 90 degree elbow angle on the aerobars. On my road bike to get very near this, I had to drop my bars as low as they would go, get quite low aerobars and remove the pad spacers so as to get the pads right on top of the bars. I also moved the saddle up and forward (I actually have a spare TT saddle and seatpost for my TT position so it is an easy swap.) It is comfortable.

Beasty

On my track bike I change over between aero bars for TTs/pursuits and drops for other races

One complication with the road bike though it you need to re-route brake and gear cables. Not a major issue if you're going to stick with the aero bars, but a lot of hassle if you want to change back regularly

Statler

Beasty wrote: »

On my track bike I change over between aero bars for TTs/pursuits and drops for other races

One complication with the road bike though it you need to re-route brake and gear cables. Not a major issue if you're going to stick with the aero bars, but a lot of hassle if you want to change back regularly

Will be sticking with the aero bars on this one, have another 'good' road bike, this is the backup I never use so at least this way it'll get the occassional outing...

blorg wrote: »

A general rule of thumb is to aim for a 90 degree elbow angle on the aerobars. On my road bike to get very near this, I had to drop my bars as low as they would go, get quite low aerobars and remove the pad spacers so as to get the pads right on top of the bars. I also moved the saddle up and forward (I actually have a spare TT saddle and seatpost for my TT position so it is an easy swap.) It is comfortable.

Nice one, will probably have to add a seatpost to the shopping list to get forward enough (getting closer to a complete new bike already!)