My own Trek Equinox SSL 9.9
When Choosing a time trial bike, the key criteria is the aerodynamics. It is wind resistance that makes the biggest difference in a time trial bike. Losing weight is good, but, especially for flat time trials, weight is much less important than aerodynamics. Therefore a beginner to time trials should not feel obliged to fork out several thousands of pounds. You will notice the biggest difference by getting a low pro frame and tribars which bring the arms closer in.
Tips for Getting Most Out of Time Trial Bikes
- Wind Tunnel Testing – finding best position on your time trial bike can save even more aerodrag and time
- How To Improve Aerodynamics – Some of best value ways to save aerodrag and get better aerodynamics
- Train on your time trial bike. Don’t just use your road bike for training and race on a time trial bike. You need to get used to the position of the time trial bike as you use different muscles.
- Weight isn’t everything. The biggest difference in time trials comes from reducing wind resistance. Don’t feel you have to save up a fortune to make a big difference. The time difference between a £6,000 TT bike and a £1,200 TT bike can be quite minimal. If you can reduce weight without compromising stiffness and power transfer – that is a definite help, especially for any hilly TT. But, get the low position first!
Felt Time Trial Bikes
The Felt S22
Felt is a relatively new bike company, being founded in 1990. They were one of first companies to target the specific triathlon market and have a range of TT bikes from basic aluminium low pro to top of the range Carbon fibre costing over £6,000
Felt S22 – £1,200 Aluminium frame and carbon forks. SRAM apex.
With internal cable routing and aero seat post, this is a relatively low priced triathlon / time trial bike. The wheels offer scope for a later upgrade. It will appear to a novice time triallist who doesn’t want to break the bank.
The Felt B12 is almost double the price at £2,499, but offers a considerable upgrade. It includes Shimano Dura Ace gear shifters and FSA bottom bracket. It has the£Felt TT/Tri UHC Performance MMC which is the same as the Felt DA2 at £6,000. This is particularly a good bike.
Felt Time Trial Bikes at Wiggle
Trek Equinox 9.9 TT Bike
Trek Equinox in action
I’ve ridden this for a couple of seasons and am happy with the feeling. It is very fast and excellent on descents. There is no lateral movement. In some hilly TT’s I’m descending on this at 50mph, but it feels very steady.
Best Time Trial Bike Under £1,000
Focus Izalco
- New Focus Trial alloy frame
- groupset SRAM Rival/SRAM TT Carbon
- Wheelset Easton Vista 622-13
Fuji Aloha 2.0
- Fuji A2-SL Aluminium custom butted and aero shaped, Integrated Head Tube, Double water bottle mountsFork:FC-770 Fuji Bonded Aero Carbon
- Gears included a mixture from Shimano Dura Ace TT Bar End Type levers, Shimano Tiagra front and Shimano 105 rear derailleur, Fuji Custom chainset, 34/50 tooth chainrings, Shimano Tiagra 11/25 tooth cassette, 9-speed.
- The Fuji Aloha 1.0 is a real entry level TT bike. You will really struggle to find anything cheaper. But, it does the job of getting that super fast aero position. Probably a better investment than spending loads of money on trying to upgrade a road bike.
at Amazon.co.uk
at Amazon.com