Time trial bike vs. road bike in a time trial

[bfgulla]

Which is more advantageous in flat a time trial, a 15-lb standard road racing bike fitted with clip-on aerobars and aerodynamic wheels or a 20-lb time trial bike with the same wheels?

 

[Toobab]

Hi, I think if you are able to ride the correct position on the tt bike and get enough aero benefit without losing power, the tt bike should win. On a truly flat course, the benefits of aerodynamics and efficient power transmission should outweigh the benefit of comfortable riding position and lighter weight.
I've found to my cost in the past that the point where a road set up becomes more efficient is much longer and more hilly than it feels like it should be.
Sometimes, on very technical twisty courses the road bike gets back some time even without hills, but that depends on the rider as well.

Peter

 

[brianf7]

A good setup TT bike will save you as much as 30 seconds in 40km tt but you need to train on it get used to riding in the saddle and keep upper body still in the tuck position.

If you have a seperate bike you can do this properly you can tweek the position untill perfect as with a road bike you need to change the seat and bars every race.

Any bike permanently setup for a TT is better.

 

[Black Dog]

It depends on how much TT'ing you will be doing. If you are only doing the odd TT then ride your road bike. Why spend a tonne of money on a bike that you will only ride once in a blue moon.

 

[bfgulla]

Thanks, guys, for your responses. I have both standard road and tt bikes. I have toyed with the idea of getting a 15-lb road bike, which would be lighter than my current road bikes, and use it in triathlons. Based on your comments, I'll scrub the idea and stick to my bikes' respective intended uses.