To TT or not to TT?

[gummibear]

[Chris_]

it would be cool to see your (Gummibear) first pic with road vs tri positions

[shaper]

it would be cool to see your (Gummibear) first pic with road vs tri positions

Here the link for the first pic, which is in reference to riding a road bike http://www.ilovebicycling.com/what-muscles-do-you-use-when-cycling/

[MarkW]

Shouldn't be that tired after 40kms if you are use to 140km rides.... when I get back on my TT bike I feel that my glutes have worked more than my quads... but nothing over excessive to tire me out and can still do 100kms

 

A set up on the TT bike is a lot different to a RB, my saddle height on the RB is 745mm whereas my TT bike is 752mm because of the more forward position.

 

You are going to be spending many hours on the TT bike... maybe go back to where you had your set-up done and ask for a check up... especially as you say your quads are taking a beating where as you should be working your glutes more than the quads.

 

I've booked an appointment with troisports in Bryanston for a bike fit ( has anyone gone there before? Feedback?) my first fit may be fine but logic tells me to rather go to someone specializing in triathlons.

[Chris_]

Sadly my road bike is now lost to the thieves-of-the-Cradle, but I remember I used to use a ton of hammies on it. It felt much stronger to pull myself up hills. This is why its taken a while to get used to the tri bike. The further forward I sit - the stronger/faster it feels, but I'm still just crunching my quads like MarkW is experiencing. Concentrating on peddling full circles makes a huge difference but is easy to forget when you get lazy/tired.

[Chris_]

I've booked an appointment with troisports in Bryanston for a bike fit ( has anyone gone there before? Feedback?) my first fit may be fine but logic tells me to rather go to someone specializing in triathlons.

 

Troisport is the best. But be warned, you WILL leave with many many unintended (but at the time necessary) purchases.

[MarkW]

Congrats....awesome bikes those.

 

I'm more interested in the speakers in the background there.What are they and i take it you own/work in a HIFI shop?

Thanks!... LOL you got me, I am indeed the "BOSS" at an AV shop. In the pic you are looking at a pair of Jamo C97 and Klipsch reference speakers.

[MarkW]

Troisport is the best. But be warned, you WILL leave with many many unintended (but at the time necessary) purchases.

 

Noted and agreed, the addiction is real. Should I leave my credit card at home?...neh...LOL, Let the spending begin.

[Fat Boab]

Sadly my road bike is now lost to the thieves-of-the-Cradle, but I remember I used to use a ton of hammies on it. It felt much stronger to pull myself up hills. This is why its taken a while to get used to the tri bike. The further forward I sit - the stronger/faster it feels, but I'm still just crunching my quads like MarkW is experiencing. Concentrating on peddling full circles makes a huge difference but is easy to forget when you get lazy/tired.

 

You might be onto something here. All these diagrams are presumably idealised contributions of the various muscles, but if you don't engage the muscles, then they can't contribute their true potential?

[Chris_]

You might be onto something here. All these diagrams are presumably idealised contributions of the various muscles, but if you don't engage the muscles, then they can't contribute their true potential?

 

True, we're all riddled with different muscle imbalances anyway, this is why pedaling a picture-perfect peanut ( ) on the wattbike is a great tool. However, I firstly can't find the same setup on the WB as my tri bike, and secondly forget about it altogether when we go riding outdoors.. 

[Jurgens Smit]

Guys, should I first go for a bike fit before buying a TT base bar and extensions, or can I buy them and get the fit done afterwards?

 

I'll be using my aero bike as a TT bike come Gauteng nationals, ToGH and just training until I can afford a proper TT bike.

So before each event I'll have to swap handlebars and redo the cabling to the shifters and brakes.

[Jakopregop]

Don't be too hasty there friend.. A TT bike correctly set up can be a game changer in terms of comfort (take it from someone who did indeed spend 7 hours on the bike course). 

 

Also A TT bike is designed to move the load around on your legs so you actually feel better for the run coming off a tri bike as opposed to a normal road bike.

I agree... I am a 6h plus hour Ironman cyclist. My first Ironman was done with clip on bars, could hardly walk after the 7hrs, forget about run. 

 

My second Ironman I bought a TT and did it 40 min faster and could still shuffle a run in. My opinion is, get a TT bike if you can afford it. Even an entry level bike will help you out. And get it fitted.

[EmJayZA]

I've booked an appointment with troisports in Bryanston for a bike fit ( has anyone gone there before? Feedback?) my first fit may be fine but logic tells me to rather go to someone specializing in triathlons.

 

I am a bit late to the party, but Marc will do your fit, and he is quite an accomplished triathlete as well. My fit made a huge difference. So much so I have quite a bit more power and I am pretty comfortable on my bike now. He even picked up a very minor issue with my shoulder blades not sitting 100% due to over active traps (which my Bio picked up this week). 

 

Let us know how it goes. 

[SwissVan]

Guys, should I first go for a bike fit before buying a TT base bar and extensions, or can I buy them and get the fit done afterwards?

 

I'll be using my aero bike as a TT bike come Gauteng nationals, ToGH and just training until I can afford a proper TT bike.

So before each event I'll have to swap handlebars and redo the cabling to the shifters and brakes.

Just get a set of clip on bars which are much easier to install / remove. All you need to do is shorten your handlebar tape to accommodate the clip on’s

[Fat Boab]

Guys, should I first go for a bike fit before buying a TT base bar and extensions, or can I buy them and get the fit done afterwards?

 

I'll be using my aero bike as a TT bike come Gauteng nationals, ToGH and just training until I can afford a proper TT bike.

So before each event I'll have to swap handlebars and redo the cabling to the shifters and brakes.

 

Some ideas here to pick and mix with?

 

https://www.bicycling.com/racing/us-pro-cycling-challenge/how-to-turn-your-road-bike-into-tri-bike/slide/6

[Chris_]

Some ideas here to pick and mix with?

 

https://www.bicycling.com/racing/us-pro-cycling-challenge/how-to-turn-your-road-bike-into-tri-bike/slide/6

 

Shoe covers! Thats my dream..