Making my Ruby "Aero" for TTs

[PinkBike]

count me in as an andrea admirer!

[RoadRaven]

Question... Tokie, you are talking about making your Ruby aero for TTs, including a new seat post. So I am assuming you are turning your Ruby into a dedicated TT bike?
So I assume you are getting another bike for general racing?

If so, why are turning the Ruby? Why not get a TT specific bike? One that comes with a bladed seat post, aero frame etc?

And if, for whatever reason, you are going to make Ruby a dedicated TT bike, then get barend shifters on the aero bars, and change your handle bars to the ones without drops. And as your get used to your new position, gradually begin to take the spacers off your stem. The smaller you can make your "wind shadow" the more efficient into the wind you will be.

For all the equipment we get to make the bikes aerodynamic, we are actually the biggest drag, so the smaller you can make your own front end, the more efficient you will be.

Hows the transformation going? Pix?

[Tokie]

Hi RR, I'm not riding now (see "how much is this going to hurt" ththread in health section),cast comes off in 3.5 weeks. I was just switching out mt seat/seatpost for a fast forward seatpost/different seat and clip on the aerobars. It's a pretty quick switch. Unfortunately, the forward position did bother my bad knee, so I need to go in for a re-fit on mt aero position. Otherwise it felt so much better for TTs. I love the aero position! I was leery of buying another bike without knowing if I would hate the position or not. So many things to buy - some bullet-proof wheels for part 2 of my ride across America this summer are at the top of my list(Jackson Hole to Sioux Falls SD!) The Rolfs got kind of tweaked on those rough highways last summer. So I do think a TT bike might be in my future, as soon as I find an aero position that agrees with my knee. I read an article on fast twitch - it sounded like the smallest entry level felt TT bike might be a good start for me. I'm not really a fast TT er, but I have fun. I'll get back to you when my finances say "go for it!" Thanks! Tokie

[RoadRaven]

Ah...Tokie, sorry to hear about your woes. I am in "catch-up" mode having not been in TE since the beginning of Feb. I thought the most logical way to "catch-up" would be to go through the threads forum by forum. Consequently, I haven't got to the Health Forum yet.

When you do get around to a TT bike purchase... after all those other bits and pieces remember you don't have to spend big. We got me a Giant TCR2 which is a mid-range cost, and slightly aero frame. Slowly we have altered it to a more TT profile... picking up components on TradeMe (NZ version of EBay)... a bladed stem, tri-spoke wheels, bar-end shifters. We cut down old drop bars and turned them into bull horns and after a couple of attempts found the right aero bars to attach.

Looking forward to reading about your ride across America... it'll be my Winter (which is just beginning to make its presence felt) so it will be great to read about rides like yours.

[Tokie]

Thanks for the advice RR! I would be completely happy with a used TT bike too, but cobbling one together is a great idea. Only 2.3 more weeks in the cast, then back to training for the America by Bicycle trip. I'll definitely report back to TE'ers on the trip - I hear that the Wyoming leg has lots of wildlife and natural beauty. I get a fiberglass cast this Weds - should be better than this clammy plaster one! Tokie