Bike frame question

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2016-10-07 10:26 PM


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Subject: Bike frame question
Hi all,
I'm shopping for an upgraded bike frame to build up with my current parts, but I'm not looking for a full blown tri bike frame. Are there recommendations on which road frames translate well to racing with clip on aero bars? For example, Cannondale, or Felt road bikes?

Not sure if this is too broad a question, so I appreciate any input.

2016-10-08 7:46 AM
in reply to: 0

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Master
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Subject: RE: Bike frame question

A tri bike will have a steeper seat tube than a road bike so that you sit further forward on the bike in a more aerodynamic position.  So perhaps what you should look at is a road frame that has a slightly steeper seat tube angle than others although whether there is much variation between brands I don't know - I don't imagine there is.

However, you should not choose a bike for that reason alone.  It is more important that it fits you.



Edited by tridantri 2016-10-08 7:47 AM
2016-10-08 12:25 PM
in reply to: linkslefty

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Subject: RE: Bike frame question
If you're a triathlete, and you want a highly versatile road and tri bike, and you want to upgrade your current ride, but you want to 'future-proof' your upgrade frame, then you gotta read this, it's about the little-known "third option":

http://darkspeedworks.com/blog-whatbike.htm

Many athletes have found that it works great.

Hope that helps,
Greg @ dsw
2016-10-11 7:08 AM
in reply to: #5201191


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Subject: RE: Bike frame question
The felt AR bikes have reversible seatposts which help get you further forward. Actually I think specialized venges do too.

Other suggestion is the profile design fast forward seatpost. Allows any bike with standard round seatpost to mimic the seat tube angle of a tri bike. I've used it for years for tris
2016-10-12 6:51 AM
in reply to: linkslefty

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Subject: RE: Bike frame question

Originally posted by linkslefty Hi all, I'm shopping for an upgraded bike frame to build up with my current parts, but I'm not looking for a full blown tri bike frame. Are there recommendations on which road frames translate well to racing with clip on aero bars?

IMO, none of them do.

There are other differences besides the seat tube angle which cause big fit differences between a road and tri bike, most notably longer top tubes in road bikes and significant differences in stack and reach.

IMO, riders should not try and MacGyver a road bike into anything resembling a tri bike.  A more aggressive road bike position where you'll spend most of your time in the drops is usually going to be better than a more relaxed position that would accommodate the use of clip on aerobars.

2016-10-12 7:59 PM
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Ventura, California
Subject: RE: Bike frame question

Just found these looking around, thought you might have interest.

https://ritte.cc/collections/all/products/old-stock-1919tt

[img]https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1187/7682/products/Screen_Shot_2016-04-23_at_9.54.44_AM.png?v=1461431071[/img]

 

Here is the article link that took me to that, has 11 manufactures that sell both bikes and frames in carbon/titanium and steel.

http://gearpatrol.com/2015/10/27/best-handmade-steel-bike-makers/

 

 

 

 



Edited by rjcalhoun 2016-10-12 8:01 PM

2016-10-12 10:52 PM
in reply to: rjcalhoun

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Subject: RE: Bike frame question

Originally posted by rjcalhoun

Just found these looking around, thought you might have interest.

https://ritte.cc/collections/all/products/old-stock-1919tt

[img]https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1187/7682/products/Screen_Shot_2016-04-23_at_9.54.44_AM.png?v=1461431071[/img]

 

Here is the article link that took me to that, has 11 manufactures that sell both bikes and frames in carbon/titanium and steel.

http://gearpatrol.com/2015/10/27/best-handmade-steel-bike-makers/

Looks like you meant to respond to another thread as this isn't applicable to the topic at hand.

2016-10-13 10:38 AM
in reply to: DarkSpeedWorks


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Subject: RE: Bike frame question
Originally posted by DarkSpeedWorks

If you're a triathlete, and you want a highly versatile road and tri bike, and you want to upgrade your current ride, but you want to 'future-proof' your upgrade frame, then you gotta read this, it's about the little-known "third option":

http://darkspeedworks.com/blog-whatbike.htm

Many athletes have found that it works great.

Hope that helps,
Greg @ dsw


That is an interesting concept! I have found that trying to make my Trek Madone into a try bike by slamming the seat forward and up and adding the aerobars is far less than optimum. It works sorta okay, but then the road position is compromised . . . So by turning the Tri bike into a road /tri bike won't either the road or tri position be compromised somewhat?
2016-10-13 12:28 PM
in reply to: linkslefty


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Subject: RE: Bike frame question
Just out of curiosity...
There's tons of threads about making road bikes more tri-bikey.....changing seat positions....adding clip-ons, etc.

Is there a way to go the other way? Make a TT bike more roadbikey? Would it be easier?

Obviously there's geometry issues.
Could you overcome them to a degree with maybe an odd shaped seatpost and seat attachment....that could account for some of that geometry?
That could be a fairly simple switchout.
The front end, bars, etc. are more complicated...but still....
Not a quick change kind of thing....more like...."so, you're interested in tri, but aren't sure you want to go TT bike yet....here's a way you can wind up with a TT bike for only a couple extra....say....$200 down the road....as opposed to a whole second bike for another $1000-$2500."



I'd think there's a potential market. It'd just have to be a good enough roadbike to stand on it's own that you could sell it in it's roadbike configuration....and that the TT config would be more than adequate for the duffers like me. Obviously, not a top of the liner, but certainly an adequate TT bike.


I clearly don't know enough about the geometric differences (beyond the seat post angles).

2016-10-13 12:29 PM
in reply to: 0


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Subject: RE: Bike frame question
Well, I'm kind of a moron.

It appears Darkspeedworks has already answered my question. I just didn't read it before I posted.

Sorry, mate.




edit:
I sure wish I had seen this concept 4 years ago.


Edited by jhaack39 2016-10-13 12:32 PM
2016-10-13 9:06 PM
in reply to: GMAN 19030

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Ventura, California
Subject: RE: Bike frame question

Originally posted by GMAN 19030

Looks like you meant to respond to another thread as this isn't applicable to the topic at hand.

Wow, your right. I thought this thread was in regards to someone looking for potential bike frames to build on. And what I posted was a company with bike frames for sale, matter of fact, 11 companies that sell bike frames. Totally not applicable to the topic at hand, My apologies 

 

 

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