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Time trial bike

Posted: 16 Jul 2016 10:42
by gavhg
Hi all,

Just back from the European Trandplant Games where I won bronze in the time trial - there was just 2.6 seconds between the top 3 (gold was won by reigning European champion, silver by reigning world champion). This has given me the belief that I can train harder and smarter to win the world transplant games in Malaga 2017.

To help do this I am probably going to have to invest in a time trial bike (currently using clip on bars).

I won't have stacks of cash to spend so any advice on the most cost effecting way of doing this would be appreciated!

Posted: 16 Jul 2016 12:51
by RichK
Gavin

At the budget end of the spectrum the PX Stealth is popular (I've bought two!). Basic cost about a grand but the wheels are (very) basic & might benefit from a bit of extra cash.

Spending more will get you something better as it's quite an old design etc.

I've also previously fitted a road bike with some basic TT bars, bar end shifters etc & an upside down high-rise stem. That worked reasonably well for me till I got an unexpected bonus at work.

Richard

Posted: 16 Jul 2016 13:49
by Yosser
The main benefit from aero bike is the position it puts you in. Don't worry too much about how expensive it is. Planet x plus good aero wheels is certainly one way to go. I bought a secondhand PX Exocet and it goes like an err.. Exocet!

Posted: 16 Jul 2016 13:58
by George
Congratulations on the bronze, Gavin!

A third vote for Planet X from me: far and away the most cost-effective way into testing. As Dave says, it's all about your position (be prepared to tinker; small changes can make big differences). So a bike with cheap components on which your position is good will always go faster than the most expensive bike with a poor position. Weight -- the roady's obsession -- is a side issue for a tester. And you don't brake much or corner much or change gear much (and almost never in a hurry) so a lot of the things that make top-end road bikes and top-end group sets desirable are much less important. Even the cheapest TT frames from PX are stiff and aero, which is what matters.

Posted: 16 Jul 2016 17:44
by Yosser
And I forgot to say in prev post, Great result

Posted: 16 Jul 2016 18:53
by keith
Great result Gavin .As Dave says second hand TT bikes aren't a bad shout as they seem to be moved on perhaps more than road bikes ( mines been close to going on e bay a few times ) thing is they are usually ridden infrequently and on better roads than road bike, no of that grubby Audax nonsense, so you can get some good bikes in decent nic

Posted: 17 Jul 2016 13:03
by gavhg
Thanks all. Some great advice! I'll probably wait until autumn when all those time trial and triathlon one season wonders flood eBay!!