does it matter the brand of TT bike?

[Artisan]

I just got a new QR Seduza last week. I have not tried out any other tri bikes, this one was just the right price for me at the bike store I help out at. I must say I really am enjoying it. I don't know if it's because it's all carbon or if it's the aero set up..or both combined but I feel like a rocket on it. It is so easy to get it moving up to speed and maintaining it. Black and red combined together as a color scheme has always drawn me in like a moth to light. I'm sorry they don't have a color scheme you are thrilled with. Good luck on finding the right bike and color scheme.

[RoadRaven]

Well..... it depends how much money you have.

However, as long as you get a good frame as aero as possible, then you can upgrade everything else.

You can get a bladed seat post, change you aero bars, put bull horns on the bike, get the type of wheels you like...

I have a Giant TCR Aero2. And we have slowly modified it from the shop model to the TT specific bike it has become...

[smilingcat]

hi road aven,

I guess I could refit a road frame into a time trial bike... but right now I just have an old steel frame bike on a trainer and my road bike, an Obera bike. So looking for a bike for TT.

I guess my question needs to be rephrased. when you were looking for a new bike, certainly you've tried several bikes before settling on the one you bought or you've ridden other bikes in the past. And my question is has/did it make any real noticiable difference in your performance.

I think performance depends on the wheel and how aerodynamic you could get on a given bike. Handling wise, I think they are all pretty much the same. they all have similar head tube angle (how stable or squirrly), seat tube angle (better for climbing/endurance/speed), length of chain stay (stability, weight distribution, shock absorption along with seat tube angle...) and so on. So maybe I should settle on a frame that I like in terns of color and price and forget the rest. Then build them up with the components I can afford.

For me, I don't think my performance would be all that different between Cervelo P2, Gurubike, QR Seduza/Caliente, Kuota, LiteSpeed Blade, Griffen etc.

Or does it?

Shawn

[RoadRaven]

Hey there Cat...

My partner TT bikes have been a Giant, an EMC2 and his latest is a Cervelo.
He would recommend the Cervelo if he was answering this question.

The other name I know in your list is Kuota, and i would like one of those please.

Weight is not such a consideration in a TT bike unless the TTs you do are over hilly courses.

Also, with a TT bike you might be able to get smaller frame than your ride bike, simply because of the different position you ride in.

The biggest difference on a bike will be the aeros and bullhorns, which not only help you get more aero yourself, but also present less resistance to the wind.

An aero front wheel gives you more time than a disc on the back.

We have just got our digital camera fixed, so will take some pix of our TT bikes this weekend and explain them for you and that may be of use.

Cheers, Raven

[Running Mommy]

I roll on a Seduza.. Or SEX ON WHEELS as they advertised it last year!
I LOVE my baby! But then again I haven't tried the others. I'm a squat thing, so it's about the only thing other than custom that I could fit on.
I would LOVE to go with a custom Guru, those are SEXY bikes!! But a bit out of my price range I'm afraid...
I say go with what you REALLY want! Otherwise you'll never truely be happy. If you want a custom paint job- go custom and have fun!

[JesTutripup]

The best bike is the one that's the best fit. it's like underwear.

[smilingcat]

yes good aero wheel on front is much better than a disc on the back. Technically the airflow on the front is still clean while the back wheel sees "dirty" turbulent airflow. You get lower resistance with what they call a laminar airflow.

bullhorn/cowhorns. I'm okay with it. That's just the thing. I sit on QR Seduza, and by adjusting the stem size and position of the clip ons, seats, it fits pretty well. I get on Cervelo same thing, And Guru, well it'll be custom fit so it's going to be more than okay... Or perhaps I'm just not too terribly finicky when it comes to fit. There haven't been too many bikes, where I just didn't like it.

(okay so my road bike was purchased on e-bay. Stem length needs to be shortened by about 2cm and wingbar needs to be smaller, and prefer a 172.5/170mm cranks instead of 175mm. but I'm not too terribly bothered by it)

As for weight, TT bikes are not the lightest. It wuldn't hurt if it were lighter...

I used to be TI frame only... Loved my Lightspeed but I sold it for a mere $1000 with full ultegra STI setup with spare brand new rear deraillure, extra cassette (11-23), sella Itallia Flight saddle, aero wheel...If I could try a newer litespeed SABER I would be a happy camper.

The new owner of my litespeed is now a 15 year old. Her father did some favors for me so I returned a favor by giving him a good deal for his daughter. She probably has the best bike in US for a 15 year old.

back to topic...

I guess my feeling is they all perform and handle about the same... So I buy it on my vanity sake more than anything else. or should I??

fit is always very important but next is the performance. Handling, shock absorption, flex (loss of energy)... It's the performance thing I'm wondering. are they all about the same?

smilingcat