I was riding a borrowed aluminum TT bike today and was reminded again how brutal the ride was on a TT bike on our bumpy roads. I can live with it, but relative to any other bike it’s bouncy, harsh and gives me a bit of a headaches from my noggin getting tossed about. It’s not exactly a balm on the old crotch either.
If I were to buy myself such a bike, would a carbon bike ride any nicer, or is this just a consequence of the geometry and weight distribution.
ive never noticed any difference in the ride quality of the TT bikes I have ridden vs road bikes I have ridden.
perhaps the borrowed TT bike had some harsh tires, or tire pressures?
a carbon bike might be more comfy if it was engineered to be so.
so might a different aluminum bike
I was riding a borrowed aluminum TT bike today and was reminded again how brutal the ride was on a TT bike on our bumpy roads. I can live with it, but relative to any other bike it’s bouncy, harsh and gives me a bit of a headaches from my noggin getting tossed about. It’s not exactly a balm on the old crotch either.
If I were to buy myself such a bike, would a carbon bike ride any nicer, or is this just a consequence of the geometry and weight distribution.
ive never noticed any difference in the ride quality of the TT bikes I have ridden vs road bikes I have ridden.
perhaps the borrowed TT bike had some harsh tires, or tire pressures?
a carbon bike might be more comfy if it was engineered to be so.
so might a different aluminum bike
I was riding a borrowed aluminum TT bike today and was reminded again how brutal the ride was on a TT bike on our bumpy roads. I can live with it, but relative to any other bike it’s bouncy, harsh and gives me a bit of a headaches from my noggin getting tossed about. It’s not exactly a balm on the old crotch either.
If I were to buy myself such a bike, would a carbon bike ride any nicer, or is this just a consequence of the geometry and weight distribution.
You must have a very well trained crotch, I notice it pretty much by the end of the driveway.
the crotch issues I noticed without even moving anywhere. nothing to do with the bike, everything to do with the position.
the adamo corrects the problem for me.
if the problem is a pain felt when sitting stationary on a trainer, its not he bike. its inherent in the position.
You must have a very well trained crotch, I notice it pretty much by the end of the driveway.
I understand. Mostly, I find the ride going down the road really harsh with the steep seat tube angle, short wheelbase and overloaded front end. I’m guessing any tt frame is going to ride like that, perhaps.
My P3 (Alum) has a very nice ride. I would say it is the same as my aluminum road bike, if not better.
I have riden carbon bikes and they feel about the same to me.
Sounds like your position is a big part of your problem.
I have a snapshot of said position on said borrowed bike, it seems OK but kind of slow looking
http://buffalophotocd.smugmug.com/gallery/9050799_vchbW#602453427_uCZtv-A-LB
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I understand. Mostly, I find the ride going down the road really harsh with the steep seat tube angle, short wheelbase and overloaded front end. I’m guessing any tt frame is going to ride like that, perhaps.
well im not sure the harshness you are noticing is due to the reasons you are stating.
is it harsh on the eblows or the ass?
maybe your elbow pads need more give?
position seems reasonable.
things to check: was tire pressure above 120psi?
what kind of tires?
what kind of aerobars/elbow pad?
I have a snapshot of said position on said borrowed bike, it seems OK but kind of slow looking
http://buffalophotocd.smugmug.com/gallery/9050799_vchbW#602453427_uCZtv-A-LB
Perhaps, I always just assumed these bikes were not comfortable, so I never really bothered to try messing much with the setup. Maybe you taught an old dog a new trick.
I still need to buy an actual bike that’s mine, though.
position seems reasonable.
things to check: was tire pressure above 120psi?
what kind of tires?
what kind of aerobars/elbow pad?
I have a snapshot of said position on said borrowed bike, it seems OK but kind of slow looking
http://buffalophotocd.smugmug.com/...602453427_uCZtv-A-LB
I use conti sprinter 250 tubulars on 32 spoke wheels at maybe 100 psi, the aerobars are older syntace low end models I believe
If it were my bike I’d seek out some lower arm rests and perhaps those bars that point straight forward
some things are inherently more comfortable, like your kneck since you have to crane it up, and your crotch since you are leaning over more.
The crotch can be addressed usually with lots of saddle experimentation
the neck thing, sometimes can be alleviated with frameless sunglasses, not looking up all the time, and so on.
depending on how aero you get, you might one day manage to get the aero position MORE comfortable. For me its 50/50. Aside from the neck issues its more comfortable. But the neck issues are there =)
Perhaps, I always just assumed these bikes were not comfortable, so I never really bothered to try messing much with the setup. Maybe you taught an old dog a new trick.
I still need to buy an actual bike that’s mine, though.
My old aluminium p2K with 19mm 650c tires used to rattle my fillings loose. My crotch and neck always hurt on that bike. And yes I was FIST fitted. I have no idea how old some of these posters are but what is tolerated as “comfortable” in your 20’s is a lot different than in your 50’s.
“19mm 650C tires” prolly has more to do with your issues that “aluminum p2k”
I’m 30 for what its worth.
also for what its worth, ive always used vision aerobars, which have non metal elbow supports. maybe that helps, i dunno.
My old aluminium p2K with 19mm 650c tires used to rattle my fillings loose. My crotch and neck always hurt on that bike. And yes I was FIST fitted. I have no idea how old some of these posters are but what is tolerated as “comfortable” in your 20’s is a lot different than in your 50’s.
My old aluminium p2K with 19mm 650c tires used to rattle my fillings loose. My crotch and neck always hurt on that bike. And yes I was FIST fitted. I have no idea how old some of these posters are but what is tolerated as “comfortable” in your 20’s is a lot different than in your 50’s.
I had the same bike in a 700c and sold it for some unknown reason. You can see from my face that the ride was relaxing and comfortable like a nice soft sofa:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/jroden99/PROV_TT_149_preview.jpg
I was riding a borrowed aluminum TT bike today and was reminded again how brutal the ride was on a TT bike on our bumpy roads. I can live with it, but relative to any other bike it’s bouncy, harsh and gives me a bit of a headaches from my noggin getting tossed about. It’s not exactly a balm on the old crotch either.
If I were to buy myself such a bike, would a carbon bike ride any nicer, or is this just a consequence of the geometry and weight distribution.
Forget about carbon. It sounds like you need to try a Titanflex.
so have you resovled these issues?
how?
My old aluminium p2K with 19mm 650c tires used to rattle my fillings loose. My crotch and neck always hurt on that bike. And yes I was FIST fitted. I have no idea how old some of these posters are but what is tolerated as “comfortable” in your 20’s is a lot different than in your 50’s.
I had the same bike in a 700c and sold it for some unknown reason. You can see from my face that the ride was relaxing and comfortable like a nice soft sofa:
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y173/jroden99/PROV_TT_149_preview.jpg
so have you resovled these issues?
how?
By no means. I’ve had TT bikes on and off over the years and assumed that they were not very comfortable, but that said I also did not make a great effort to ride them all that frequently.
Now I’m all done road racing and would like to find enjoyment in something else, so I’m revisiting this whole time trial thing. I seem to generate enough power to propel me faster than I go, so I suspect my position isn’t optimal in terms of aerodynamics.
It’s sort of a catch 22, I hate to spend money on a decent bike if I don’t have potential to do OK, but I suspectthe bike is part of my problem, if that makes sense.