Time trial conversion
01-23-12, 09:05 AM
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Time trial conversion
I've been trying to sell this bike for while. It hasn't been ridden since August and I'm getting tired looky-loos without enough money coming to my house.
I've been looking at TT bikes, even thinking about getting a used one when this bike goes. Aesthetically this looks very similar to TT geometry. Could I just get an aero cockpit, shifters, brake leavers and saddle to make this a TT bike or am I wasting my time with it?
I've been looking at TT bikes, even thinking about getting a used one when this bike goes. Aesthetically this looks very similar to TT geometry. Could I just get an aero cockpit, shifters, brake leavers and saddle to make this a TT bike or am I wasting my time with it?
01-23-12, 09:31 AM
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That bike would make a very good time trial bike. One thing to consider though is that the headtube is set up for road riding, a lot of times time trial frames will have a shorter headtube to allow riders to get lower while in the aerobars.
*However*
Through a lot of virtual wind tunnel testing I have really dialed in my position. I used to try and go as low as possible, but I have found that if I raised my elbow pads and placed them as narrow as I could it's actually more aero and I can put out higher power as well. Your results may vary as different bodies react differently to going higher/lower or wider/narrower. But just because this bike has a taller headtube doesn't necessarily mean that it's a dealbreaker for letting you get aero.
*However*
Through a lot of virtual wind tunnel testing I have really dialed in my position. I used to try and go as low as possible, but I have found that if I raised my elbow pads and placed them as narrow as I could it's actually more aero and I can put out higher power as well. Your results may vary as different bodies react differently to going higher/lower or wider/narrower. But just because this bike has a taller headtube doesn't necessarily mean that it's a dealbreaker for letting you get aero.
01-23-12, 10:45 AM
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Does that bike take a custom seat post?
If so, you might have trouble finding a way to move your seat far enough forward (unless you prefer it further back).
If so, you might have trouble finding a way to move your seat far enough forward (unless you prefer it further back).
01-23-12, 11:23 AM
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I'm using my Felt FC1 as a roadbike/TT/triathlon bike right now until I get my triathlon bike in March. I just put aerobars on, raised the seat, pushed the seat forward (maximum allowed; this might be a problem for you if you need to go further), slammed the stem and it works for the time being. It's actually kind of nice to have both worlds.
Also take note, sometimes these newer aero frames, like your AR, might be more aero than cheaper TT bikes. And if you're looking to TT, might want to look into jammer-type aerobars so that you're within UCI-compliance, etc.
Also take note, sometimes these newer aero frames, like your AR, might be more aero than cheaper TT bikes. And if you're looking to TT, might want to look into jammer-type aerobars so that you're within UCI-compliance, etc.
01-23-12, 11:42 AM
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I'm working on a temporary TT conversion too, and have been doing some research..
https://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadin...r/bikefit.html
What don't you like about that bike that's making you want to sell it, and would that change if you tt-ified it? It doesn't look like TT geometry to me, it just looks like an aero road frame.
It also looks like you have a slack seat tube and a long top tube, which is not what you want in a tt bike. You might want to read that article, esp. w/r/t fitting a road bike, and see if you should put a TT cockpit on it or if it would be better to just use clip on aero bars or the shorter handlebar setup they refer to.
I put clip-ons on my road bike and haven't started tweaking the saddle position yet - I've ridden it once so far.
https://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadin...r/bikefit.html
What don't you like about that bike that's making you want to sell it, and would that change if you tt-ified it? It doesn't look like TT geometry to me, it just looks like an aero road frame.
It also looks like you have a slack seat tube and a long top tube, which is not what you want in a tt bike. You might want to read that article, esp. w/r/t fitting a road bike, and see if you should put a TT cockpit on it or if it would be better to just use clip on aero bars or the shorter handlebar setup they refer to.
I put clip-ons on my road bike and haven't started tweaking the saddle position yet - I've ridden it once so far.
01-23-12, 12:36 PM
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Take a picture of yourself from the side on your road bike (preferrably on a trainer). Note the angle at your hips (the angle formed by your back and your legs with the axis at the hips / pelvis). It will probably be around 90-100 degrees or so depending on your flexibility, etc..
Now take this exact same body position at the hips and rotate it forward (maintaining the exact same hip angle) so your arms can now be down on the aerobars with a much more horizontal back. You will have to move your saddle quite a bit more forward to achieve this. This is the position that a TT bike geometry would allow you to achieve.
I am in almost the exact same riding position on my road and TT bike, just rotated more forward at the hips on the TT bike. I think I ahve a hip angle of about 95 degrees on both bikes. On the other hand, if I just put aerobars on my road bike and didn't make any other adjustments, I would have to ride with a much smaller hip angle which would drastically reduce my comfort and power output.
I doubt you can achieve this very well with a road bike geometry without making lots of compromises.
Now take this exact same body position at the hips and rotate it forward (maintaining the exact same hip angle) so your arms can now be down on the aerobars with a much more horizontal back. You will have to move your saddle quite a bit more forward to achieve this. This is the position that a TT bike geometry would allow you to achieve.
I am in almost the exact same riding position on my road and TT bike, just rotated more forward at the hips on the TT bike. I think I ahve a hip angle of about 95 degrees on both bikes. On the other hand, if I just put aerobars on my road bike and didn't make any other adjustments, I would have to ride with a much smaller hip angle which would drastically reduce my comfort and power output.
I doubt you can achieve this very well with a road bike geometry without making lots of compromises.
01-23-12, 01:30 PM
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That bike would make a very good time trial bike. One thing to consider though is that the headtube is set up for road riding, a lot of times time trial frames will have a shorter headtube to allow riders to get lower while in the aerobars.
*However*
Through a lot of virtual wind tunnel testing I have really dialed in my position. I used to try and go as low as possible, but I have found that if I raised my elbow pads and placed them as narrow as I could it's actually more aero and I can put out higher power as well. Your results may vary as different bodies react differently to going higher/lower or wider/narrower. But just because this bike has a taller headtube doesn't necessarily mean that it's a dealbreaker for letting you get aero.
*However*
Through a lot of virtual wind tunnel testing I have really dialed in my position. I used to try and go as low as possible, but I have found that if I raised my elbow pads and placed them as narrow as I could it's actually more aero and I can put out higher power as well. Your results may vary as different bodies react differently to going higher/lower or wider/narrower. But just because this bike has a taller headtube doesn't necessarily mean that it's a dealbreaker for letting you get aero.
Nice bike!
I'm working on a temporary TT conversion too, and have been doing some research..
https://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadin...r/bikefit.html
What don't you like about that bike that's making you want to sell it, and would that change if you tt-ified it? It doesn't look like TT geometry to me, it just looks like an aero road frame.
It also looks like you have a slack seat tube and a long top tube, which is not what you want in a tt bike. You might want to read that article, esp. w/r/t fitting a road bike, and see if you should put a TT cockpit on it or if it would be better to just use clip on aero bars or the shorter handlebar setup they refer to.
I put clip-ons on my road bike and haven't started tweaking the saddle position yet - I've ridden it once so far.
https://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadin...r/bikefit.html
What don't you like about that bike that's making you want to sell it, and would that change if you tt-ified it? It doesn't look like TT geometry to me, it just looks like an aero road frame.
It also looks like you have a slack seat tube and a long top tube, which is not what you want in a tt bike. You might want to read that article, esp. w/r/t fitting a road bike, and see if you should put a TT cockpit on it or if it would be better to just use clip on aero bars or the shorter handlebar setup they refer to.
I put clip-ons on my road bike and haven't started tweaking the saddle position yet - I've ridden it once so far.
Take a picture of yourself from the side on your road bike (preferrably on a trainer). Note the angle at your hips (the angle formed by your back and your legs with the axis at the hips / pelvis). It will probably be around 90-100 degrees or so depending on your flexibility, etc..
Now take this exact same body position at the hips and rotate it forward (maintaining the exact same hip angle) so your arms can now be down on the aerobars with a much more horizontal back. You will have to move your saddle quite a bit more forward to achieve this. This is the position that a TT bike geometry would allow you to achieve.
I am in almost the exact same riding position on my road and TT bike, just rotated more forward at the hips on the TT bike. I think I ahve a hip angle of about 95 degrees on both bikes. On the other hand, if I just put aerobars on my road bike and didn't make any other adjustments, I would have to ride with a much smaller hip angle which would drastically reduce my comfort and power output.
I doubt you can achieve this very well with a road bike geometry without making lots of compromises.
Now take this exact same body position at the hips and rotate it forward (maintaining the exact same hip angle) so your arms can now be down on the aerobars with a much more horizontal back. You will have to move your saddle quite a bit more forward to achieve this. This is the position that a TT bike geometry would allow you to achieve.
I am in almost the exact same riding position on my road and TT bike, just rotated more forward at the hips on the TT bike. I think I ahve a hip angle of about 95 degrees on both bikes. On the other hand, if I just put aerobars on my road bike and didn't make any other adjustments, I would have to ride with a much smaller hip angle which would drastically reduce my comfort and power output.
I doubt you can achieve this very well with a road bike geometry without making lots of compromises.
