TT Project

[rlpaul]

So, after doing a few of the TTs at Charlotte Motor Speedway (we have series every year there), I've decided to build up a TT bike. Also... I went to the Big Stampede this morning and scored a Zipp 900 disc for cheap, so kinda committed now

So I'll be doing some reading on slowtwitch to get some ideas, but I know there's a few Triathletes and TT riders here (looking specifically at you bman and pritchett) so hoping for some ideas as well! I don't have a particular budget in mind for this build, but I'm shooting for inexpensive. Thankfully, aside from frame and cockpit (yes, I know TT cockpits are $$$$), I have the next most expensive parts bought already.

I will keep this post updated with current build list.

Front Wheel - Zipp 404 Tubular
Front Tire - Vittoria Corsa Evo CX 23mm
Rear Wheel - Zipp 900 Tubular - 948g
Rear Tire - Vittoria Corsa Evo CX 23mm - 240.8g
Skewers - KCNC Black

[rlpaul]

The next most obvious piece of equipment I need is frame. Since this bike won't be ridden often, I'm looking for something relatively inexpensive, possibly the Planet X Exocet. I can also get a C-dale Slice for cheap, but I'm not sold on it. Open to suggestions here

[BMANX]

I would go with the Slice over the Exocet. I just purchased the Stealth over the Exocet as I was told to wait for the next years Exocet.

There are a few other frame sets that are pretty good. Even the Cervelo P2 would be good if you could find a used one in your size.

[rlpaul]

I've been looking for a P2C in a 51/52, but been unlucky finding a good price. There was a P3C for $600 at the Stampede today, but in a 54

I've seen the Stealth around here, and it looks pretty nice.

[BMANX]

Crap, I should haver got you to pick up the P3C for me in a 54. I would turn around and sell my new Stealth in a second.

The Stealth right now with just the cabling missing is 14.6lbs and that is without the steerer being cut. a SUB 6.8 Tri build will be excellent.

[rlpaul]

Yeah... as I was staring at the P3C, calculating if I could make it work, a guy walked up and bought it

Wow, that's a pretty good weight on a tri build. I'm not expecting anything like that.

[Juanmoretime]

The PLanet X Stealth is not a bad option. I rode my personal best on one. I recently sold it and will be on a Scott Plasma 2. Not sure what your budget is but they are, or were available at a good price on Ebay from the Gear Movement.



I should be building mine this weekend.

[BMANX]

That Scott would look killer in all black. Especially with the parts I believe you will be using. I also saw some aerobar data on ST the other day and it said that the Syntace set up was the slowest. Just thought you should know.

[pritchet74]

How did I not see this before? Gosh.....

I would go for a P3C or a P2. You just can't go wrong with those - check eBay or the classifieds at slowtwitch.com for the best deals. For the fork at least have a 3T Funda, but if you want to shell out the $$$ then get a Cervelo FK26 fork. That's the one made for the P4 but now comes on the new P3 and P2 and also the S5. That fork will save 5 watts over the Funda and the Funda is 5 watts faster than just about anything else.

For the aerobars nothing beats the 3T Ventus. On a budget though I'd try to get anthing Hed. USE Tula bars are pretty amazing too. Equipment wise that's about all that is really important. Be sure that you have a good skinsuit - preferably a Nike SwiftSpin suit. Check eBay. I think the data was that it will save over 1 minute in a 50k TT over a regular skinsuit and that was at "Lance speed", so that's about 1 minute over 40k for us mere mortals.

What do you have as a helmet? Helmets are very personal depending on your riding style, but my favorite is on old LG Rocket. You can find them cheap on eBay. Get some rigid insulation and use a Dremel to shape it to fit inside the tail. If you are really feeling frisky then get some ~1/2" foam insulation and cut a 1/2" wide strip. Tape that strip to the front edge around the front of the helmet (so it's around your forehead and sides of your face). Then use the dremel to curve the outside edge. That cleans up the airflow between your face and the helmet. Or just toss a visor on. It will be faster than any other helmet out there. Or you can pay $$$ for the Giro Selector - that's fast, but I couldn't get it to fit me. Also I have heard it doesn't ventilate well, so I am not interested.

Work on your position to get your back as flat as possible and practice riding with your chin "down and out" so that your position is good. For me this means my saddle is really far forward and the bars are REALLY low. My power in this position drops, but the aero is so good that I am WAY faster.

Gosh, not I am modivated to get Victoria set up for some TT rides. Thanks!

[BMANX]

Pritch, where can you get the Cervelo FK26 fork? I am thinking that my 3T fork would be better on the Stealth build I am doing and the FK26 would be great on my SLC.

[pritchet74]

Local Cervelo dealer. That's one thing on my "gotta buy" list.

[rlpaul]

Awesome info, thanks guys!

I've been on the lookout for P2/P3Cs for a while now. However probably won't buy a frame until next month, earliest. Unless I spot a deal. Budget is up in the air. The Slice isn't my favorite frame, but I can get a pretty good deal on one, so may do that for the time being.

I'm looking at getting HED bars. I'd love the Ventus, but it resides outside what I want to spend. For now

Helmet is an unknown. Was probably going to get a Giro, but I'll see if I can't find a Louis Garneau. I've tried LG helmets before, and they seem to fit fine... If the Rocket is the same shape is their regular helmets, should work for me

I do have a vid cam, and a tripod, so some time on the trainer is a given to see about positioning. But that's a ways off still.

[BMANX]

Have you spotted any online anywhere and what was the price you were quoted at your local cervelo dealer.

[rlpaul]

Been watching ebay for Cervelos... seen P2C in a 51 go for as low as 800. I'm willing to spend more than that, but not for used. The Slice I can get for next to nothing.

Since I'm just getting started, I'm looking to keep the budget fairly reasonable (anywhere from 2k up to 4k total, not including wheels). If I enjoy TTing and end up doing it a lot, then I'll worry about how I can shave a few seconds here, and a few seconds there, etc. But for now, just trying to find the best bang for my budget

[pritchet74]

The Cervelo dealer is the only place to get the fork. I forget the price since I am not flush with cash to be able to get one anyways. In the neighborhood of $400-500 I think.

rlpaul - why not used? 9 of the last 10 frames I have owned have been used and the one that I got new I lost a ton of $$$ on when I sold it. Used is where it is at if you are on a budget like me. The P2C is MUCH faster than a Slice, but if you have to have new and can get it really cheap then dive in. Most of the speed is in your body position anyways. Good helmet, good skinsuit, good shoe covers and a good aero position. A sexy bike with sexy wheels is how you get chicks though.