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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
How much speed will a TT bike get me?

habbywall

Oct 17, 09 16:27

Post #1 of 24 (1296 views)

How much speed will a TT bike get me?	Can't Post

Okay, here is my current situation.
I am running a 2008 Trek 1000 road bike with Profile Design Century Aerobars. Just the stock wheels and tires, what ever came on it.
I did one half IM and IM WI this summer on it, went a 2:40 and change in the half and a 6:07 and change at WI.
I am looking at getting a better setup sometime before next season.
I am looking at a Specialized Transition Pro, with the stock aerobar setup. But I was going to go with a Sub 9 Disc rear and 1080 front.
With just aerodynamics of this change how much time could this statistically save me over the course of a half?

Then also with the weight difference how much of an advantage do you think this could bring me?

TriJunk

Oct 17, 09 16:29

Post #2 of 24 (1294 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [habbywall] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Which color are you getting? The black Transitions have proven through extensive wind tunnel testing to be the fastest.

Rappstar

Oct 17, 09 16:33

Post #3 of 24 (1285 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [habbywall] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

I would not recommend the 1080 as your first aero front wheel. An 808 is MUCH easier to handle in high winds and only marginally slower. You can pretty much always handle an 808, regardless of wind, which is not true of the 1080.

Now, to answer your question, I will first ask another. Does the Transition fit you? Do you have someone to fit you properly to it?

If you don't have someone to fit you to the frame and to make sure it fits, then you'll be faster, but only from the aerodynamics of the equipment. It's your position aboard the bike that makes the biggest difference in time savings. If you fit the bike well, then the time savings will be significant. I would say that 10+minutes for a half over your current setup would not be unreasonable. 2:40 for a half (depending on terrain) is not bad at all on road frame with regular wheels and training tires. You have LOTS of time to gain, but only if the bike fits right.

WillyMFire

Oct 17, 09 16:44

Post #4 of 24 (1260 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [habbywall] [In reply to]	Can't Post

been wondering the same thing. I also went 6:07 and change at IMMOO this year on a trek road bike (2006 1500).
Unfortunately I have to wait until i finish grad school to upgrade :(

Toby Tri

Oct 17, 09 16:45

Post #5 of 24 (1257 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [TriJunk] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Which color are you getting? The black Transitions have proven through extensive wind tunnel testing to be the fastest.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Black bikes attract more heat. That heat in turn accelerates the atoms in the air molecules in and around the bike. That includes the air directly in front of the bike. In essence, riding a black or dark colored bike on a hot day is like riding your bike into an invisible wall. Red bikes are much faster. White bikes are off the chart fast.

persondude27

Oct 17, 09 17:44

Post #6 of 24 (1193 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [habbywall] [In reply to]	Can't Post

It'll take a little bit of time to get used to a slightly different position (72 degrees to 76-78 degrees). TT bikes won't feel super-fast right away, but once you build the tri-bike-specific muscles, you'll be golden. Makes a big difference. The difference between a TT bike on the bullhorns and a road bike during a tri is pretty significant.

VENOM1971

Oct 17, 09 18:11

Post #7 of 24 (1159 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [habbywall] [In reply to]	Can't Post

When I switched from my Road bike to the T/T bike I got about an extra 1-1.5 mph...then I went to race wheels (Zipp 404) and probably got another 1 mph faster add in the

TriJunk

Oct 17, 09 18:28

Post #8 of 24 (1141 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [Toby Tri] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Which color are you getting? The black Transitions have proven through extensive wind tunnel testing to be the fastest.

You are correct in that black does attract more heat. However, this is a Transition, and the wind tunnel data from a top secret report (I promised I would not reveal the source) proved that as the temperature of each molecule was increased, the speed at which each photon reaction decreased, thus increasing the speed of the air over the rear wheel. Therefore, when combined with a HED trispoke up front and a disc in the rear, the black ended up much faster than the red or white.

I'll look for the link and post it soon...

mrtrik

Oct 18, 09 12:04

Post #9 of 24 (952 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [habbywall] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I want from a 2003 Trek 1000. Stock; no nothing. then a Cervelo P2SL with 404's. Gained 2.5 mph in 15mi TT race efforts. Haven't tried the road bike under longer race conditions but would expect to maintain similar improvements. Also... it wasn't a jump from, say, 17 to 19.5 either. It was from 22 to 24.5 (at this particular TT).

--
WeBike.us

TriJunk

Oct 18, 09 12:42

Post #10 of 24 (921 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [mrtrik] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Did you get the black, red or white P2SL?

mrtrik

Oct 18, 09 12:52

Post #11 of 24 (906 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [TriJunk] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Did you get the black, red or white P2SL?

Clearly the fastest one?

I have the 2008 silver one.

As for the speed, I was illustrating that it was a 10% gain... not 15%. Though as speed goes up, drag goes up at a higher rate...

--
WeBike.us

thetodd

Oct 18, 09 13:16

Post #12 of 24 (864 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [TriJunk] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Which color are you getting? The black Transitions have proven through extensive wind tunnel testing to be the fastest.

That made me chuckle. Nicely done.

___________________________________________________
People say crazy shit during sex. One time I called this girl "Mom." - Randal Graves

MarcK

Oct 18, 09 13:21

Post #13 of 24 (852 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [habbywall] [In reply to]	Can't Post

You will get a huge benefit from a TT bike, aero wheels, and an aero position--- I'm assuming you'll do a fitting which will also give you gains assuming you were not fit to your Trek 1000. I'd bet those tyhree together add up to 10 minutes on a half IM.

BTW, I love the entry-level Treks. I know quite a few college students who get four years of good training and racing out of them.

-Marc

GMAN 19030

Oct 18, 09 17:41

Post #14 of 24 (753 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [habbywall] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I picked up a couple of MPH's with a TT bike.

AJBautch

Oct 28, 09 7:33

Post #15 of 24 (549 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [GMAN 19030] [In reply to]	Can't Post

i stripped the paint off my sl and painted it carbon. added 1.5mph. added extra zipp stickers to my wheels. aero>weight. zipp stickers=more aero.

boomersb

Oct 28, 09 12:24

Post #16 of 24 (454 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [AJBautch] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Don't have the statistics, but expect a significant difference in MPH and effort. I have the transition, having moved from a Trek road bike, and was noticing the speed right away. Also, if you're doing Tri's, better results due to the engaging of different muscles on the Transition. All comes down to proper fitting, though, and keeping power. Important - - get an aero helmet to really save time as well. Inexpensive compared to the wheels.

bmanners

Oct 28, 09 12:29

Post #17 of 24 (442 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [Rappstar] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I beg to differ........ As long as you take 1080's out on a few windless days get used to them then take out ona light wind day and get more used to them you should be okay if you can ride with out training wheels already that is.

Bucky

Oct 28, 09 12:37

Post #18 of 24 (425 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [TriJunk] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Which color are you getting? The black Transitions have proven through extensive wind tunnel testing to be the fastest.

+1

Black is always a faster color. Even sitting still in the transition area, it's still faster than the other colors.

Quote:

In essence, riding a black or dark colored bike on a hot day is like riding your bike into an invisible wall. Red bikes are much faster. White bikes are off the chart fast.

Give me a break. Ninjas wear black and ninjas are fast. If ninjas did triathlons, they'd dominate every distance.

jackmott

Oct 28, 09 12:46

Post #19 of 24 (408 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [bmanners] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

just remember one mans windy day might be twice as windy as your windy day!

in austin we have had a few days this summer where a jet90 was..worriesome

I didn't fly away or fall over though
----
Sunglasses: http://www.framesdirect.com/sunglasses
Tri Gear: http://www.atctrishop.com
rear wheel disc ALWAYS http://www.wheelbuilder.com if poor front wheel whatever torodial rim wheel you want, or H3. deeper if yer faster shallower if yer slower tires - http://www.biketechreview.com has crr data, use it frames - position trumps aero trumps weight trumps paintjob trumps stiffness water bottle between your arms or not at all if its a sprint swimget some swim lessons, its cheaper than buying bike speed train more and HTFU

bmanners

Oct 28, 09 12:47

Post #20 of 24 (406 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [jackmott] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Lightly windy day.

zebragonzo

Oct 28, 09 13:40

Post #21 of 24 (357 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [TriJunk] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Which color are you getting? The black Transitions have proven through extensive wind tunnel testing to be the fastest.

Have you considered that heating a surface promotes early transition from laminar to turbulent flow thus removing the need for dimples?

rruff

Oct 28, 09 14:22

Post #22 of 24 (298 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [mrtrik] [In reply to]	Can't Post

In Reply To:

Man... I feel cheated. When I went from a road bike and kit with clip-ons, to a full TT bike with disc cover, FP80, aero helmet, and skinsuit, I only got 0.8mph faster with the same power.

Was this at the same power output? No aero bars?

jackmott

Oct 28, 09 14:33

Post #23 of 24 (282 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [rruff] [In reply to]	Can't Post

.8 MPH is a lot dude!

conver that to time in a 40k and youll feel better!
----
Sunglasses: http://www.framesdirect.com/sunglasses
Tri Gear: http://www.atctrishop.com
rear wheel disc ALWAYS http://www.wheelbuilder.com if poor front wheel whatever torodial rim wheel you want, or H3. deeper if yer faster shallower if yer slower tires - http://www.biketechreview.com has crr data, use it frames - position trumps aero trumps weight trumps paintjob trumps stiffness water bottle between your arms or not at all if its a sprint swimget some swim lessons, its cheaper than buying bike speed train more and HTFU

mrtrik

Oct 28, 09 16:04

Post #24 of 24 (223 views)

Re: How much speed will a TT bike get me? [rruff] [In reply to]	Can't Post

0.8 is good. I didn't gave power then, but I feel it was at the same perceived effort. Now, with my specialized Tarmac fancy pants carbon road bike, I don't think the gains are as high.

The trek was no aero bars.

--
WeBike.us