from Rookie’s keyboard,
Hello, friends
Today, I’d like to write a short piece on TT (time trial) bikes, as many rookies may confuse them for classic road bikes.
TT bikes are indeed designed for the road but are not the same as road bikes by any means. Their geometry and components make them inefficient and even dangerous when used as a regular road model.
I am not kidding, fellas. TT bikes are even banned in road races. And of course, TT bikes suck for commuting big time.
Let’s go over some of the downsides.
- Control
The main riding position requires you to put your elbows on the aero bars a.k.a. tri-bars.
This stance results in “aerodynamic-maxxing” but sacrifices control.
The grip is narrow and you are balancing with the elbows on the pad.
It’s difficult to make small technical adjustments when steering. As a result, TT bikes are dangerous when riding in a tight group.
- You may get stabbed for real
Aero bars are metal or carbon horns sticking out of the bike. In a crash, they may stab you or another rider. The outcome could be lethal.
To avoid accidents, aero bars are banned in road competitions.
- No Access to The Brakes
Aero bars give access to the bar-end shifters, but the brake levers are lower on the handlebars.
To brake, you have to move your arms away from the aero bars. The aftermath is a slow reaction time that may lead to a collision when riding in traffic or a group.
- Poor Responsiveness
TT bikes have a longer wheelbase (distance between the wheels) and chainstays for extra stability.
Those characteristics hurt the bike’s responsiveness and capability to make sharp turns. This is another quality that makes TT bikes less suitable for technical riding.
- Suck For Long Rides
TTs are built for speed at the expense of comfort and come with a massive saddle to handlebars drop making the back of the rider horizontal to the ground.
Good luck maintaining this position for long periods unless you are super flexible.
Another source of discomfort and joint stress is the limited number of hand positions. There are two main hand placements – on the aero bars and on the brakes.
Both are aggressive. The aero bars stretch you whilst the handlebars require the rider to drop even lower. Thus, there isn’t a real resting stance.
Meanwhile, road bikes offer a more upright riding position and a greater number of hand placements making it easier to cover incredibly long distances without experiencing unreal joint fatigue.
- Commuting = Forget About It
Commuting on a TT bike is similar to riding an F1 car to work. The vehicle is fast but the experience is subpar
Here are the reasons:
Low visibility. TT bikes put you in a low position making it hard to see and be seen. Road bikes do the same but to a smaller degree.
Poor reaction time. The subpar responsiveness of TT bikes results in noticeable lag. This is a big deal because riding in traffic often necessitates quick reactions. If a car door opens suddenly, getting away from it on a TT bike without losing balance is more difficult.
Poor shock absorption. TT bikes are designed for smooth roads. Riding one on a surface full of bumps (e.g., a cobbled street or crushed limestone) will be uncomfortable and stressful on the joints.
Limited tire clearance. TT bikes cannot be used with wider tires due to the lack of clearance. You are stuck with firm, thin tires transmitting every bump.
Lack of accessories. Just the though of fenders and racks on a TT is funny.
Theft. A TT bike locked in front of a store would be a funny sight. The bike is too expensive and futuristic looking to lock it anywhere other than a garage with an alarm system and/or a dog guard (semi-serious here).
- Climbing is Hell
A TT bike can be used for climbing, but it’s not optimal for that task due to the limited hand positions and the pedaling angle.
You won’t encounter a legit TT bike on a hill-climbing competition. You may see a machine that has TT elements (e.g., bullhorns), but the overall geometry, weight and set-up of a TT bike are just not conducive to competitive ascending.
- A Weight Shift To The Front
TT bikes put more weight on the front tire via a shorter reach and a steeper seat tube angle. This geometry makes it easier to assume the main riding position.
However, someone who doesn’t have enough experience will feel like they’re about to go over the handlebars at any moment.
In conclusion
Keep your TT bike a TT bike and don’t use it for anything else.
The list of negatives is very long:
- Reduced maneuverability
- Lower visibility
- More stress on the joints
- Slower access to the brakes
- Uncomfortable climbing
- Inability to install commuting accessories
- Too expensive to lock it outside
- Dangerous in a race
Until next time,
Rookie
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