TT bike?

johnnyb1

Hi guys im looking to buy a new TT bike,Im not great when it comes to the technical side of things:( so can anyone recommend a few models that I should consider,my budget is 2000euro but could stretch it to 2500 if it made a big differance.

Tonyandthewhale

Sadly I don't have 2000e to spare and don't really time trial so can't offer any real TT specific insight (although canyon and planet-x are the status quo reccommended brands round here at the moment so maybe google them and see if they have anything you fancy although I can't actually remember if canyon do a TT bike and their site won't open for me right now).

Possibly a more important question is what do you want this bike for? Are you already an experienced roadie looking to add to the stable or you for example a runner looking to get into doing tri's? Because as far as I know conventional wisedom dictates that if you've only got one bike you're better off with a road bike and just use clip-ons for TT's and tri's since TT bikes aren't much fun if you want to put in a lot of miles as part of your training or if you ever want to ride near traffic.

GarethM

johnnyb1 wrote: »

Hi guys im looking to buy a new TT bike,Im not great when it comes to the technical side of things:( so can anyone recommend a few models that I should consider,my budget is 2000euro but could stretch it to 2500 if it made a big differance.

Highly recommend Wheelworx - just bought a Felt TT bike for a great price. Extremely knowledgeable staff and great service.

Nwm2

johnnyb1 wrote: »

Hi guys im looking to buy a new TT bike,Im not great when it comes to the technical side of things:( so can anyone recommend a few models that I should consider,my budget is 2000euro but could stretch it to 2500 if it made a big differance.

I would look at the second hand market first. Donedeal.ie and adverts.ie. Might take a few weeks before you get what you want. Google each bike to see how it is rated. You might end up buying an aero wheelset later as typically people don't part with their good wheels.

I second the point about having a decent road bike if you don't already. Even pro ironmen spend most of their time on their road bike.

Last year I bought a very high spec TT bike and an equally high spec road bike for €2800 in total - less than half price if bought new.

Home:Ballyhoura

Keep an eye out 2nd hand alright, but don't buy just because its good value, know your size and get one that fits as your position on the TT bike is far more important that the bike itself.

For example two I saw on adverts.ie which seem decent value...
http://www.adverts.ie/specialist-bikes/2008-cervelo-p2-sl-sized-54/773875
http://www.adverts.ie/bikes/b16-carbon-tt/663832

hootini

[QUOTE= Because as far as I know conventional wisedom dictates that if you've only got one bike you're better off with a road bike and just use clip-ons for TT's and tri's since TT bikes aren't much fun if you want to put in a lot of miles as part of your training or if you ever want to ride near traffic.[/QUOTE]

... eh? No.

People choose Tri bikes because of the aero position and overall wattage saving compared to a conventional road bike over longer distances. Once you get used to the bike you can do 100K + on it if necessary without niggles (how do you think people can do Ironman distances on them??)
If you're just sticking to Sprint tri's then dont change , however if you want to go into Olympic -> 70.3 upwards ... I would recommend go to Wheelworx to get a bike fitting. They're probably the most knowlegable and nice to deal with IMO.

Bambaata

Im with hootini in relation to type of bike. If its for triathlons then get a TT bike. I packed away my road bike months ago as i now do everything on the TT bike, train as you intend to race i say. I wouldnt be thinking Wheelworx are the best though. I bought my tt bike there when i knew nothing about bikes. When i think back to how the sale was conducted i get angry, i wasnt even put on a 2nd bike to test size, feel etc.

Unfortunately i cant really recommend anywhere in particular but i would suggest going through all the shops around. Problem with a lot of bike shops is they push 1 or maybe 2 brands so you arent really getting sound advice. If i were you id visit 3 to 4 stores (Wheelworx, Bace2Race, Cyclesuperstore etc), see what they got, talk to them, get up on the bikes they recommend, ask why they recommend these, try remember as much as they said and check out some reviews online

blorg

If you ONLY want to do tris and never want to ride with other people TT bike is a good option. If you have a slightly broader view of cycling road bike is better first IMO. I think it also depends on how serious/fast you are in the first place.

Onyourbike

I agree with GarethM, I found Wheel worx very good and helpful. I bought a felt B14 and I think it is a great price at 2K and it is a lovely bike, they did a bike fit and any alterations I needed were done there and then. But as Bambaata was saying you should try a few and see how they fit.