TT heavier or lighter bike?

Amprodude

Is there much of a difference between using a lighter or heavier road bike with TT bars doing a time trial? I am doing my first TT soon and just asking prople here who are more experienced than me.

lennymc

i would imagine it would depend on how hilly or not the course is.

Lusk_Doyle

TT specific bikes are generally heavier than a standard road bike. A lighter road bike versus a heavier road bike is obviously better. A heavier TT bike is generally better than a lighter road bike due to the set up, however, a lot depends on the rider and the other equipment in use (aero helmet, wheels & skinsuit).

Raam

If you have a choice between a light TT bike and a heavy TT bike, chose the light one if money permits it. A few g this way or that won't matter much. As said, position is what matters most.

Amprodude

Interesting.

I was doing a TT tonight with a member of my club who races with me. We are about the same ability but he isnt as strong on climbs. This was all flat. He was 20seconds faster than me in our practice run but he had his race bike with him that weighs 7.5kgs. I had my winter bike with me with mudguards and it weighs 9.5kg without adding the 2 waterbottles and they were on too. He had one bottle on his. I know i wont have any bottles on in the TT.I put the aerobars on to try them out on the winter bike. I dont have my race bike with me at present.

Lusk_Doyle

Get rid of the mud guard. It creates additional drag. Do you need two water bottles for a tt? Id take a half filled bottle and would barely drink from it. Just at the turnaround point.

lennymc

Also, train in your TT position. The tri bars will naturally pull you forward on the bike, and it changes the way you make power (as far as I understand it). When I do TT's on the road bike I normally raise the seatpost and pull the saddle forward to allow me get right over the front wheel and as low and narrow as possible. Im crap at TT's tho so ymmv

Amprodude

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

Get rid of the mud guard. It creates additional drag. Do you need two water bottles for a tt? Id take a half filled bottle and would barely drink from it. Just at the turnaround point.

My race bike is in my LBS so didnt have anything else only my winter bike. My race bike in LBS weighs 7.5kg there will be no mudguards or bottles on it in the TT. I wont need wster for a 8km TT. I have racing wheels for it too. I did an avg speed of 40km/h with all these on winter bike and this was first time using TT bars. So im happy with that effort.

Lusk_Doyle

Amprodude wrote: »

My race bike is in my LBS so didnt have anything else only my winter bike. My race bike in LBS weighs 7.5kg there will be no mudguards or bottles on it in the TT. I have racing wheels for it too. I did an avg speed of 40km/h with all these on winter bike and this was first time using TT bars.

Over what distance did you practice?

Amprodude

Lusk_Doyle wrote: »

Over what distance did you practice?

8km. I know it nothing compared to some guys on here but its progress im trying to achieve.

Lusk_Doyle

Amprodude wrote: »

8km. I know it nothing compared to some guys on here but its progress im trying to achieve.

Not trying to diss you. Just understand the factors involved is all. We all have to build from somewhere and there is no shame in your numbers posted.