Time Trial Bikes

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!

Specialized Shiv TT

The Specialized Shiv TT module has been redesigned by Specialized. It is exceptionally stiff and aerodynamic. It has one of most impressive palmeres of wins in procycling. It has been ridden to 4 world championships (including 2011, Tony Martin) Looks as fast as it is.

Full Review: Specialized Shiv 3 TT

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.

Trek Equinox TT bike Review

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.

Alternative Time Trial Bikes under £1,000

Chris Boardman AiRTT / Time Trial Bikes

AiR/TT 9.4

After working with British Cycling on marginal gains, Chris Boardman has lent his name and experience to a range of bikes primarily sold through Halfords. The time trial series offer very high spec for good value. The Time trial bikes are based on

• Frame AiR/TT Aerodynamic ultralight UD carbon fibre monocoque, BB30, tapered steerer, internal cable routing
• FORK:£AiR/TT Aerodynamic ultralight UD full carbon, integrated brake
• Frame only 1,250grams – light by standards of time trial bikes

The 9.4 Comes with SRAM red, but still only costs £3,999.

More pictures and review of Chris Boardman TT 9.4

Air/TT 9.0

For an entry level time trial bike, the Air/TT 9.0 is based on same award winning frame for £1,999. The Mavic Aksium wheels are not deep section – so something you can upgrade on later. Gears are SRAM rival. At £2,000 it might seem quite an investment, but you are getting a top of the range frame which will be hard to improve upon, even years later.

Unlike the road series bikes which are sold at Halfords, the Time trial bikes are only available from a few select independent bike stores
Boardman bikes.com

Custom Build Time Trial Bikes

I had a time trial frame custom built by Steve Goff. It cost about £600 for a lightweight Columbus Sl Steel frame. The advantage of a custom built is that you get it built exactly to your specification and help to get the best overall position on a bike. It is this position which is more important than upgrading accessories

How Much To Spend on A Time Trial Bike?

For £2,500 you can get a really good bike. Beyond that, and the gains are perceptible but increasingly marginal. Even at just over £1,000 you can get a pretty good bike.

If you limit is £2,000 I think the Chris Boardman AirTT £9.0 will give a pretty good result.

• Time Trial Bikes at Wiggle
• Time Trial Bikes at Evans Cycles
• Time trial races in the UK
• Training for a 10 mile Time trial