Are the Chrono’s tube shapes as odd looking in real-life as they are in photos?
Is it really worth reading a review from a retailer that only caries one of the two bikes mentioned?
I’m not gonna read it but, let me guess - they said the bike they don’t carry is a much better deal?
Good call, don’t read it, like they say ignorance is bliss!!!
i think the guru crono is kind of cool…but really what is a bike frame worth for saving time!!! thomas hellrigel rode like hell in hawai on a normal round tub bike!!! sounds familiar!!!
In fact most aluminum tri bikes aren’t pleasant to ride. And even some expensive carbon fiber frames like the Aegis Trident ride have the responsiveness of a piece of plywood.
I like this guy. When I test rode a Trident, I told the dealer it rode like a 2x4!
Agreed.
I am NOT an engineer, and don’t know that much about aerodynamics, but you are right. They were riding just as fast 10 - 15 years ago on round tubed steel bikes. I am sure that the modern frames are an advantage - windtunnel testing would indicate this, but it’s a slim one. Far and away the biggest contrubutors to riding fast are:
-
Fitness
-
Positioning
-
wheels
So the bottom line is train more/better, find the best bike fitter you can and get the best race wheels that you can aofford.
Fleck
I think that is a beautiful bike and an interesting review. However, it is weird that the writer dismisses magazine reviews, “When was the last time you read a negative review in a magazine? Are all the bikes great or are the magazines afraid of pissing off potential advertising customers?” But then later relies on a magazine review: “Inside Triathlon got their hands on the new Crono first and gave it the “Editors Pick of the Year” award.”
Oh, and there are a couple of ST no nos: “Bones mounted Tufo’s 215 gram Special S33 tubulars to the rims.” and “here I am racing flat out on my tri bike on fresh chip seal with a Zipp disk, 404 front wheel and tubulars with 160 pounds of pressure!” Tufos and 160 psi, horrors. 
HH
Agreed.
I am NOT an engineer, and don’t know that much about aerodynamics, but you are right. They were riding just as fast 10 - 15 years ago on round tubed steel bikes. I am sure that the modern frames are an advantage - windtunnel testing would indicate this, but it’s a slim one. Far and away the biggest contrubutors to riding fast are:
-
Fitness
-
Positioning
-
wheels
So the bottom line is train more/better, find the best bike fitter you can and get the best race wheels that you can aofford.
Fleck
I disagree here. The frame is a very important factor for my overall performance because:
I don’t train less because I have a faster bike.
My position isn’t worse because I have a faster bike.
I’ll ride the best wheels I can afford anyway.
all these three options are obvious so I’ll try to get the most advanced bike I can get.
Frank
What do the bike experts like Tom D. or Slowman think about the importance of a frame?? I’m sure most would say comfort/performance is more important than windtunnel data especially for HIM and IM.
I do agree ZZ. That said, I would suggest that ride **quality **(rider’s perception of shock absorption) of a bike is not largely determined by the frame, but more so by the following factors in this order: Tire pressure. Tire selection. Wheel selection. Fork selection. Saddle selection. Cockpit selection. Frame selection. Shoe selection (fit, sole configuration). Seatpost selection. Crank selection.
We can change the entire character of the frame’s ride quality buy switching between Vittoria Corsa CX Open Tubulars (a soft riding clincher tire) and Ritchey Fortress tires (a rather stiff side-walled, highly flat resistant training tire ideally suited for poor conditions).
Good review Sir. Well done.
"So the bottom line is train more/better, find the best bike fitter you can and get the best race wheels that you can afford. "…Fleck
Or buy a pair of 12 year old Zipp 440’s off ebay for $300 and keep your head as low as possible and just look up by rolling our eyeballs like Chris Boardman 
“Or buy a pair of 12 year old Zipp 440’s off ebay for $300 . . .”
That’s all my old race wheels are worth? Who cares, they just finished second at IMC two weeks ago. Perhaps they just went up in value.
Fleck
…exactly my point. If Mark Allen could go sub 4:30 at Kona on the same wheels and Paolina just finished second at IMC on them, they are likely good enough. Still won’t raise the value. Most of the dudes on this forum think that 3 year old 404’s are no good !
I would add:
5.5.) Short/Bib selection
.
Tom, I know you have raced on Guru’s before. Do there other bikes ride as well as the Chrono. I presently have a Trek WSD road bike but am looking to get a more triathlon specific bike. I’m more concerned about comfort as I plan to do some longer races next year.
ZZ