Ok Silver, Here she is! (New Bike)

[Mr. SR500]

Here she is, '09 Trek Equinox TTX 9.0. I've made a few component changes and have added Aero Rotor Rings, and my Pro-Lite 50mm Carbon Clinchers. Rides nice and I feel good on the bike, but need a lot more practice in the aero position.

Silver, Thanks again for all your help!

http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/JohnsTTX.jpg

[papaver]

wooohooo what a beauty!

[pfunk12]

Gorgeous!!

[andtckrtoo]

I'm drooling in envy! What a gorgeous bike!!

[runningteach]

That is beautiful.

[GLC1968]

That bike looks fast even when it's just sitting there! Beautiful!

[ridenread]

WOW that is one fast looking bike! What a beauty

[MartianDestiny]

HOT!!!!!

Now on a more productive note (ie: something I might be able to afford): where'd you get the nifty rear wheel stand and do you like it?

[OakLeaf]

drooooooooooool

[TrekTheKaty]

drooooooooooool

She took mine...............droooooooooooooool

[Miranda]

Whoa... what a beauty!!! Congrats!!!:cool:

[Mr. SR500]

HOT!!!!!

Now on a more productive note (ie: something I might be able to afford): where'd you get the nifty rear wheel stand and do you like it?

First, thanks everyone, I was very pleased with the bike, since I had to order it and had not seen one in Silver. It's metal flake and really pops in the sunlight. Typical Trek, the bikes almost always look better in person (I guess that is a good thing).

On the stand, it's any Ultimate Support stand, many bike shops use lots of these. I have 2 and really like them for keeping the bikes ready to go. They are even handy when doing simple maintenance like chain lube, etc... They are a little pricey, but do work great, you might even get your local shop to sell you a used one if they have a lot of extras.

Thanks again

http://www.trisports.com/ultimate-support-rakk-bicycle-storage-stand.html

[Mr. Bloom]

That's one cool looking bike! I saw it on your FB page with the heading "time to make it go fast". Made me wonder if it has a "Fast Button" that you push and voile - you're fast!:D:D:D

[silver]

WOW!!!!!!

And in Silver! ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC!!!!

Mr. you have put together a smoking hot bike!

Gimme some more details, please!!!!

As my friends and I have transistioned to TT/Tri bikes, we have found something of a learning curve. It's taken a few miles (not too many) before we saw faster speeds. Can't wait to hear your TT results!

[Mr. SR500]

Silver, I still lust after your Cervelo!

Well it sort of started stock, but after this weekend the spec list should be:

Frame/Fork - Trek white carbon/XXX fork Large frame (58)
Shfiters - Dura Ace Bar-End
F/R Derailleurs - Dura Ace
Brakeset - Dura Ace
Brake Levers - Bontrager
Cassette - Dura Ace 12/27
Crankset - 105 Crank with 53/39 Aero Rotor Rings
Chain - 105
Stem - Bontrager
Basebar - Bontrager
Aerobars - Bontrager
Seatpost - Bontrager
Saddle - Bontrager

I copied your format for my spec list...

I did about 26 miles Sunday, after 105 on my Madone Sat. Felt good, I'm still working on getting the front end set up (who knew there could be so many adjustments). While there are a lot of Tri guys that ride Tri bikes on our group rides, I'm not sure I ready to give the TTX a run on a group ride yet.

2 Time Trails this week, so I better suck it up and at least not get any slower. Good to hear it might not take to long to start seeing some quicker times. Biggest thing right now is the legs getting use to the new position.

I wish it had a fast button...

Thanks again...

[arielmoon]

*drools*

wow! just wow! Gorgeous!

[smilingcat]

very pretty indeed!

so are you doing TTs? you must be pretty fast to be in masters group.

[Mr. Bloom]

So, on the phone, Silver says "He built a pretty bike"...Mr. Silver explains that no man has a "pretty bike". She now rephrases, it's a "sexy bike" meaning that she really admires your attention to detail in bringing the bike together - also commenting that "all of his bikes are like that":D

[silver]

"Cassette - Dura Ace 12/27"

This is the only item that I question.....Did you consider an 11/27?

"While there are a lot of Tri guys that ride Tri bikes on our group rides, I'm not sure I ready to give the TTX a run on a group ride yet."

I still don't really like to ride the P2 with a group. I'll ride it with one or two others, but usually choose the Madone for riding with others. Honestly, though I'm getting better, I do take up more road with the P2. If I draft someone on the P2, I won't ride the aerobars (and honestly I don't draft closely).


"I wish it had a fast button..."

You'll find it!

[TxDoc]

Gorgeous bike - congratulations!
Yes, you will see your speed improve in a very short time. Usually it goes hand in hand with becoming more comfortable with the handling of a time trial bike. It helps if you find your optimal aero position. It may take a little while and some experimenting - unless you want to invest $1k in a wind tunnel session... :)
Same question as Silver on the cassette - I actually opted for 11-23 on my TT bike.
I would not be too concerned about riding in a bunch - really there is no reason to ride a time trial bike in a group anyway: on race day you are still going to be at least one minute away from anyone else. I would suggest that you ride a regular road bike in group rides, and the TT bike when you train for TT, which is usually done alone.
Good luck with TT season!

[ilima]

Yowza!! Nice looking bike there. Have you use the Rotor chainrings before? I'd be interested in hearing how you like them.

[jesvetmed]

Sweet and SExy bike! I bet it is FAST!

[Mr. SR500]

Thanks again!

Only TT's, but I'm not fast in the grand scheme, just like to race against myself and keep improving. My age group is packed with some very fast people, it's amazing how fast they are.

It came with a 11/25, but since I already had the DA 12/27 I decided to use that. I normally run a compact 50/36 and 12/27, so I'll gain a little gearing going to the 53/39 in the front. On my Madone I usually don't spin out until the mid-upper 30's, so the standard double should buy me a couple more mph before started to spin out on the TTX. I'm always trying to work on being more of a spinner then a masher, and given the local terrain, I should be ok. The TT's are fairly flat, but we'll get in some hills for training.

I did ride it with the group last night, riding a TT bike in a group ride just means lots of miles on the base bar, I was happy to get another ride in before the upcoming TT, but prefer my road bike for group rides. I also had a mechanical, so got dropped from the "A" group, and had to pick up the "B" ride after I made the adjustment.

We do have a Team TT in October, but won't start training for that until late July/August. That should be a blast.

I've used Rotor rings on my road bike for about a year, and missed them every time I ride a bike without. It's hard to say if they really increase my power, they seem to have the most benefit while climbing. My legs/knees feel better during the ride as well. The price has really jumped last year, but I was able to save a little with the team discount. I do recommend them.

That was a lot more then you gals wanted to know...

Now for a couple questions. They bike feels good, legs feels strong, base bar seems to be correct, and I have the aerobars in the ballpark. However, when riding in the aerobars, my shoulders get a little tweaked, and air intake is a little more difficult. (these are similar to when I had aerobars on my road bike). I can ride a 20k TT in the drops on my road bike, usually only popping out if I blow up (occasionally happens on a climb), and at the turn around. So given the bars generally feel good, I'm guessing I just need a lot more time in the aero position? Any thougths?

Thanks again

[silver]

Thanks again!

Only TT's, but I'm not fast in the grand scheme, just like to race against myself and keep improving. My age group is packed with some very fast people, it's amazing how fast they are.

It came with a 11/25, but since I already had the DA 12/27 I decided to use that. I normally run a compact 50/36 and 12/27, so I'll gain a little gearing going to the 53/39 in the front. On my Madone I usually don't spin out until the mid-upper 30's, so the standard double should buy me a couple more mph before started to spin out on the TTX. I'm always trying to work on being more of a spinner then a masher, and given the local terrain, I should be ok. The TT's are fairly flat, but we'll get in some hills for training.

I did ride it with the group last night, riding a TT bike in a group ride just means lots of miles on the base bar, I was happy to get another ride in before the upcoming TT, but prefer my road bike for group rides. I also had a mechanical, so got dropped from the "A" group, and had to pick up the "B" ride after I made the adjustment.

We do have a Team TT in October, but won't start training for that until late July/August. That should be a blast.

I've used Rotor rings on my road bike for about a year, and missed them every time I ride a bike without. It's hard to say if they really increase my power, they seem to have the most benefit while climbing. My legs/knees feel better during the ride as well. The price has really jumped last year, but I was able to save a little with the team discount. I do recommend them.

That was a lot more then you gals wanted to know...

Now for a couple questions. They bike feels good, legs feels strong, base bar seems to be correct, and I have the aerobars in the ballpark. However, when riding in the aerobars, my shoulders get a little tweaked, and air intake is a little more difficult. (these are similar to when I had aerobars on my road bike). I can ride a 20k TT in the drops on my road bike, usually only popping out if I blow up (occasionally happens on a climb), and at the turn around. So given the bars generally feel good, I'm guessing I just need a lot more time in the aero position? Any thougths?

Thanks again

Can you tell me again why you like the Rotor rings....You told me before, but I'm too lazy to look it up.

Oh, no! not more info than we wanted. I could talk this stuff all day long, it's just that most people tune me out.

Ok some thoughts on the aero position...The guy that owns Big Shark was talking to me about this and had me do a demostration about how I held my arms and how that effected (affected, grammar nazi's??) my lung capacity. I can't quite figure out how to describe this on words.

I find that I have several variation of my aero position depending on my needs. There's two extremes of this: for into the wind or absolutely going all out....head/neck tucked into shoulders upper body as low as I can go = can't breathe as well = most uncomfortable. And then there's very relaxed, rounded back, head fairly high, = can breathe well, = could ride like that forever.

[Mr. SR500]

Thanks, I thought today's TT was going to rained out, but there is a chance it will be clear, keep your fingers crossed.

On the Rotor rings, I like them and really miss them when riding a bike without. In general I think they help smooth out my pedal stroke, and help my climbing. Not sure how they translate into increased speed, my I would guess is the 3% Rotor claims is within reason. You should try a set.

[Mr. SR500]

Well we sort of had the TT. The Blue Streak TT is at Wright Pat Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. It's a low dollar affair, with a min $2 donation to cover electronic timing. I was running late, but arrived in time to register, however no one in charge was there. Apparently the base, or timing people, or someone canceled. Looked like about 40 riders, milling about, but to do the 10 mile TT loop, the base opens two gates and posts a guard at each one. No ride, no guards, no gates open. Fortunately you could still ride 90% of the course without going thur the gates.

Overall I would call it a success, I was about .3 mph off my previous fastest average, but since I self timed, and only have about 2 rides and 50 miles on the bike, I was pleased. Biggest success was only coming out of the aero position once. Bike is very stable and easy to ride. Shoulders got a little tight, but not as much as I was expecting. Neck, hands, legs, etc... all felt good. My biggest challenge is breathing, and the aero position only seemed intensify my issued. Once the heart rate cranked up, my breathing became very quick and rapid. More so then in the drops on my road bike. I would appreciate any exercises or techniques anyone may have.

Overall very pleased with the bike, now as always it's the engine. Next TT is Sat. so hopefully I do well.

[Kelly728]

Ohhh nice. I like.