Training for Time Trials

[RoadRaven]

CK... if you are interested in TTs you should def get a TT bike...

I mean, if you were interested in playing basketball, would you go play only in your golf shoes because they were the only sports shoes you had? 'Course not...

Having a TT specific bike means that you dont have to mess with the position of your bars or seat - and a big part of doing a TT is being able to output power in the most aero position you can... and that can be tough and uncomfortable to train your body to.

You don't have to spend heaps on a bike to make it your TT bike. We bought a nice Giant TCR Aero 2 on sale for $NZ1500 - thats been the biggest expense. It came with aero bars attached, but I wanted bull horns not drops, so we have picked up from TradeMe (our equivalent of EBay) bull horns for about $20 and redid the front end... we bought an extra long carbon seat post for about $10... I borrow my sons front wheel which has a deep rim...

With my next TT some time away, my partner has just swapped my stem post out for a shorter one... it drops my front end nearly 2 cm and brings it back about 1cm... my profile is much more aero, but I went for a 5km spin on it yesterday and its going to take a few rides to get used to. My thighs tap up into my belly and my right shoulder was feeling the weight of me on it. However, that profile into the wind should gain me about 15 secs into the wind if I dont have to sacrifice my power output. Only time will tell.

I'll ask my daughter to take pix of my road bike and my TT bike so you can see the dif in seat/bar heights.

To choose to race TTs on a non-TT bike puts you at a distinct disadvantage if others are using TT bikes. But remember, a TT bike may make you a little faster initially, but ultimately (as Lance sayd) - its not about the bike. TTs are about shear guts and determination as you battle yourself and rise to your own challenge. Getting aero is not so much about getting fast (although that is the side effect) it is about reducing the wind resistance which is your biggest 'handicap'... even on a calm day.

As for getting faster before you deserve a TT bike - get one now... my averages for a 20km TT are around 31kph... to be up there with the top women in my club I would have to be doing 35-38kph... thats about a 75%-80% increase in my power output. Thats going to take me 2-3 years probably... Get the TT bike, it helps you focus and achieve your goals.

Kelowna, like Eden, I would not want to mess with my saddle on my road bike.
My TT bike's saddle is more forward and pointed slightly more down than my road bike - mainly because I am continuing to drop my handle bars and the leaning down nessecitates some accomodation in my seat.