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time trial bike used as road bike


Bullet

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I've got a Raleigh carbon time trial bike that I'm currently trying to sell because I do not use it any more. I thought that maybe a can use the frame and just ad road bars and shifters and use it as road bike, because I think it is a very good frame. I know the geometry of the time trial bike is different. I've attahced a comparison between a typical raleigh road frame and this frame. Am I an idiot to want to do this? and what should I take into consideration? I'm asking because my understanding of cycling is: get on the damn bike and ride it.

 

Any comment are appreciated.

Time trial vs road geometry.doc

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I think that the handling will be a little twitchy in the turns but i have seen a few guys do this and none of them complained.

You will need a few extra spacers on the steerer as a TT bike head tube is shorter than that of a road bike.

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The head tube angles are actually the same on those two frames so if you can get the same fork, it might be possible to get them to handle similarly. The TT frame has a much steeper seat tube angle so to get the same seat position (relative to BB) you will likely have to use a setback seatpost (and even that may not be enough). The chainstays are a bit shorter on the TT bike, so even with the same saddle position your centre of gravity will be further back than on a normal road bike: this may affect the steering, but it depends on the setup.

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My mate uses his specialised transitions TT bike as a road bike at times... he hasn't complained too much about it. So i have no doubt it can be done...

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The other guys have been spot on - the more upright seat tube means having to put your seat further back, shorter top tube means having to put a longer steam on and the shorter head tube will probably mean a few spacers in the stem stack.

 

In terms of handling the upright rear on the TT bike will probably be a bit stiffer than the road bike (it will be a bit more bumpy and harsh on the road). "Twitchy" is a relative term but I reckon it will be a bit more twitchy given the steeper angles on the rear and the shorter chain stays...

 

These differences will probably come to the fore after 2 or 3 hours of riding.

 

That said I reckon go for it - unless you're bike fundi/anally retentive rider that pays attention to these little framce nuances I don't think you'll feel the difference!

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