Best value TT bike

pc11

Any suggestions for really serious value in a TT bike? I'm talking about under €2k, a real bargain.

There must be a sweet spot around €1500-2000 where you get real speed improvement over a standard road bike but before you get in to diminishing returns? I'm firmly in the 'weight matters less than aerodynamics' camp.

I've done my Tris on a Lapierre 400 road bike with tribars. How much would you have to spend to get real improvement over this?

If you were looking for serious value would you buy new, build yourself or trust second-hand adverts?

Buying new would have advantages with Bike to Work scheme.

Fazz

When I moved from my road bike with Tri bars and bike fit designed for that, to my Ridley Dean with wheels and bike fit I gained around 2mins on the bike give or take. That's over Olympic distance.

So there are good gains, and a bit more in run but it can be individual also. Some will gain more than that easily.

Regarding value, it's kinda down to personal choice but second hand higher spec tt bikes is where the value is IMO.

You can get better components, better carbon, better aero bars and probably a lighter bike.
How important are these? Varies really.

Catch is fit is most important and with a second hand bike you'd need to know your measurements match up.

Price all depends on the spec of the bike in question and whether wheels are included also.

Oryx

I'm currently looking as well and its hard to see anything good under 2k (particularly when youre short like me) unless you already have good wheels to put on it.

What are thoughts on Giant Trinity, anyone?

griffin100

Oryx wrote: »

I'm currently looking as well and its hard to see anything good under 2k (particularly when youre short like me) unless you already have good wheels to put on it.

What are thoughts on Giant Trinity, anyone?

I've a Giant Trinity (as does El D) and I like it. It's a bit heavy I think but then again so am I so it suits me. Problem is it's not carbon and the bike geek in me really wants a carbon TT bike. I've come close to buying one a couple of times but have backed off when I saw sense and realised that alu or carbon framed, I'm still going to be slow. If you want to have a go on mine I can bring it to Tri 795 on Sunday for you to have a look at.

You should get something decent for €2k:

http://planetxireland.com/products-page/tt-triathlon/planet-x-stealth-pro-carbon-sram-force-time-trial-bike-small/

http://www.fitzcycles.ie/products.php?product=BH-Global-Concept-Aero-%252d-Carbon-Evolution-with-105-Build-%252d-8.5kg

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=67809

Or if you can pick up a bike in the uk:

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/bikes/triathlon-tt-bikes#!!price_from=;price_to=;on_sale=;sort=asc;

elvis jones

griffin100 wrote: »

I've a Giant Trinity (as does El D) and I like it. It's a bit heavy I think but then again so am I so it suits me. Problem is it's not carbon and the bike geek in me really wants a carbon TT bike. I've come close to buying one a couple of times but have backed off when I saw sense and realised that alu or carbon framed, I'm still going to be slow. If you want to have a go on mine I can bring it to Tri 795 on Sunday for you to have a look at.

You should get something decent for €2k:

http://planetxireland.com/products-page/tt-triathlon/planet-x-stealth-pro-carbon-sram-force-time-trial-bike-small/

http://www.fitzcycles.ie/products.php?product=BH-Global-Concept-Aero-%252d-Carbon-Evolution-with-105-Build-%252d-8.5kg

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=67809

Or if you can pick up a bike in the uk:

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/bikes/triathlon-tt-bikes#!!price_from=;price_to=;on_sale=;sort=asc;

Ive El's one i think. Nice piece of kit.

I wanted to Fuji D6 ( 2,400 ) but ended up with the Felt B12 which for 600 extra was a big step up in gear set up, wheels and bars.

The B16 is Ultegra and is is 1,999. Wheels are a bit heavy, i didn't like the handle bars but other than that it was a nice ride.

I'll have th B12 with me on Sunday as well.

ray o

Hows about a Cervelo P1?

http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;navigation=1;menu=1000,173,157;product=19654

elvis jones

ray o wrote: »

Hows about a Cervelo P1?

http://www.bike24.com/1.php?content=8;navigation=1;menu=1000,173,157;product=19654

Suppose the OP has to decide if they want carbon or alu as a frame !

Oryx

griffin100 wrote: »

I've a Giant Trinity (as does El D) and I like it. It's a bit heavy I think but then again so am I so it suits me. Problem is it's not carbon and the bike geek in me really wants a carbon TT bike. I've come close to buying one a couple of times but have backed off when I saw sense and realised that alu or carbon framed, I'm still going to be slow. If you want to have a go on mine I can bring it to Tri 795 on Sunday for you to have a look at.

You should get something decent for €2k:

http://planetxireland.com/products-page/tt-triathlon/planet-x-stealth-pro-carbon-sram-force-time-trial-bike-small/

http://www.fitzcycles.ie/products.php?product=BH-Global-Concept-Aero-%252d-Carbon-Evolution-with-105-Build-%252d-8.5kg

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=67809

Or if you can pick up a bike in the uk:

http://www.evanscycles.com/categories/bikes/triathlon-tt-bikes#!!price_from=;price_to=;on_sale=;sort=asc;

Thanks a mil, thats really helpful.

That Planet X looks sexy but I havent heard good things about them.

pgibbo

In a few more weeks there could be some good value secondhand TT bikes on offer. Why rush in to it this late in the season?

elvis jones

Oryx wrote: »

Thanks a mil, thats really helpful.

That Planet X looks sexy but I havent heard good things about them.

A few in my club bought them..........never again is the main feedback.

ray o

elvis jones wrote: »

Suppose the OP has to decide if they want carbon or alu as a frame !

I would agree at a higher price point but buying new at the 2k mark I think that alu in this case might be a better option. I have a 2011 B16 but if I could go back I would buy the P1 or save more for the P2C.

Oryx

elvis jones wrote: »

A few in my club bought them..........never again is the main feedback.

I know someone who bought a set of wheels, and traded them less than 3 races later. They warp under load.

griffin100

Oryx wrote: »

Thanks a mil, thats really helpful.

That Planet X looks sexy but I havent heard good things about them.

You'll hear good and bad about PX bikes. Anyone I know who has one raves about them. I think there's a bit of bike snobbery around when it comes to PX, they're too common for some

elvis jones

Oryx wrote: »

I know someone who bought a set of wheels, and traded them less than 3 races later. They warp under load.

No good to me then;)

Chartsengrafs

pgibbo wrote: »

In a few more weeks there could be some good value secondhand TT bikes on offer. Why rush in to it this late in the season?

I agree. Got a bit of a steal last weekend myself (Bike cost €2,700 new last year, used maybe 5 times, got it for €1,200). If going that route don't be afraid to offer a good bit under asking. And I made sure there was nothing dodgy, met the guy at a race, runs a tri club in the south of the country etc.

pgibbo

pc11 wrote: »

Buying new would have advantages with Bike to Work scheme.

If you know the LBS well enough they could probably sort something out for you secondhand.....

tunney

griffin100 wrote: »

You'll hear good and bad about PX bikes. Anyone I know who has one raves about them. I think there's a bit of bike snobbery around when it comes to PX, they're too common for some

Anyone I know who has one says "grand for the money but build quality isn't the same"

pc11

Here are the reviews on BikeRadar for TT bikes under 1600 sterling and ordered by their rating:

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/bikes/time-trial-triathlon?searchTerm=&searchType=productSearch&productBrand=&sortBy=rating&dateFromYear=2010&_brc=0&productPriceFrom=0&productPriceTo=1600&submit=Search

PlanetX and Giant Trinity are highly rated.

peter kern

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=503905836291038&set=a.466249913389964.120139.100000148774950&type=1&theater¬if_t=photo_reply

has to be the best value for a tt bike ;-)

okane1

If you can get your size. With the current discount, great value for a TT bike with good spec.

canyon

mloc123

peter kern wrote: »

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=503905836291038&set=a.466249913389964.120139.100000148774950&type=1&theater¬if_t=photo_reply

has to be the best value for a tt bike ;-)

Bonus points for having her helmet on back to front, more aero