Budget time trial frame choices

When it comes to time trial or triathlon frames there are so many choices, many of which will cost you a pretty penny. As I mentioned in my previous posting, I will be looking at this from a budget persective. I do not want to spend more than $2000 on a bike that will only be used a few times a year. $1000-1500 would be even better. So with that small a budget the choices are fairly limited. It also means that most of the real big name production bikes are not within the budget. I am not looking for a road bike that will be converted to a TT/Tri bike, we are looking for a real TT/Tri bike.

What’s the difference? Well usually the difference is in the geometry and in the contact points where your body attaches to the bike. Road bikes are about proper fit and comfort, about being able to spend hours in the saddle and come away tired but not sore, spent but refreshed at the same time. Time Trails are violent acts of riding. Its all about speed and has very little to do with comfort. Its about expending every last ounce of energy in 16K-40K. Its pure speed with aerodynamics playing the major role in bike fit.

I am not going to teach anyone here about specific bike fit for TT bikes. I am myself only learning the ins and outs. I will speak in general terms and that knowledge, along with a good fit coach can help anyone dial in the proper sizing for a TT bike.

In general, because we want/need to stay in an aero position as long as possible we need to find a bike that fits us in that position. If you have a road bike that fits well, you will usually look for a TT bike that is one frame size smaller. The idea is that aero bars will stretch you out further than you would normally ride and you want your elbows to support your upper body. If you are too stretched out you will be supporting your upper body weight with your arms, you don’t want that as it is very difficult to maintain that position for extended periods of time.

You also would see a difference in seat tube angle between a road bike and TT bike. TT bikes would generally have steeper seat tube angles to help rotate your hips open and put you more over the top of the bottom bracket (please note that Triathletes usually go even steeper than TT riders to make the transition from bike to run easier, among other reasons).

So now we are looking for a frame that has a minimum 76° seat tube angle all the way to about 80°. We will most likely be looking at Aluminum or Asian made carbon frames. Here are some inexpensive options:

Tsunami Time Traveler  from Chucks Bikes. This is an Asian made aluminum frame that is only sold by Chucks Bikes. He usually sells closeouts and although his inventory is relatively small it is pretty diverse. Usually every thing from Cross bikes to Tandems. $385 plus shipping will get you a frame with standard sizing complete with carbon fork. Not a bad way to start a budget build. Another option from Chuck’s is that he has complete bike kits. Currently he has two for TT/Tri bikes. The parts list is not always as pictured, so email him for details, but it is complete. You just have to know how to assemble a bike or have your LBS do it for you.

Leader Bikes also has an aluminum TT frame, the 735 TT. For $399 plus shipping you can have one delivered to your door, fork is extra but they do have a carbon TT fork available. At this price there are a few niceties, 78° seat tube angle, track style horizontal dropouts. The dropouts are replaceable and the front derailleur bracket is longer than normal to allow for a wide variety of chain ring sizes. I actually have one of these frames in red. this was for my previous experiment.

Fetish Cycles has four offerings that they list as TT/Tri bikes. Some are more suited to the task than others. The one that I am most impressed with is the Belleza. On the Fetish Cycles site they list prices for their frames, but when they sell on eBay directly from Fetish they are generally much cheaper. A nice looking carbon frame from an Asian manufacturer. True TT style droupouts and aero seat post round out the offering. This appears to be the exact frame as Planet-X sells, among others.

Element 6 Bikes has a TT model that has internal cable routing, a feature usually only seen on frames at much higher price points. They sell their frame with a fork and matching seat post to make it easier to match the frame setup. Unique to Element 6 is that they apply their decals over the clear coat so they can be easily removed for the stealth look.

Pedal Force has a lot to offer when it come to carbon frames. They have been around for several years and have a cult-like following, just like Fetish. They have a model called the Aeroblade, which they sell with seat post and fork. It too is the same as frame set that is sold as Planet-X and has been used by some teams in the grand tours last year.