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Date Posted: 18:27:19 09/22/03 Mon
Author: David G. White
Subject: Building a TT bike advice sought

I seek advice regarding building a dedicated TT bike. I hope some of you So. Cal. experts are willing to help a Vermont TT newbie!

First a bit about me, so you have context for my questions. I'm 49 yrs old, 6'4", 200 lbs. I've never raced. Over the past 3 summers I've become increasingly absorbed in cycling. Gradually longer and harder rides -- centuries, double gap rides, etc.

This summer I tried time trials for the first time. Hard, painful at times, but very satisfying. (My wife thinks I’m nuts). I rode in a weekly TT series put on by a local club. The season just ended. Typically I was among the slowest third, but with every event I learned, felt stronger, paced myself better and by the end of the season worked my way up to mid-field with my times. I used a good So. Cal. Simonetti road bike (did not even have aero bars!).

I want to build a dedicated TT bike for next season. I’m a competent bike mechanic (worked in a bike shop during college–many years ago–but have kept my skills reasonably up-to-date). I recently purchased a 1999 Quintana Roo PR7 63 cm frame, without fork. It has a 76.5 degree seat tube.

The budget for this is very tight due to having two kids in college. I’m buying as much as I can used, and other cost-saving measures.

Here are some of my questions:

1) Is a 1999 Quintana Roo PR7 a good frame to use for TTs? If not, why not. (I’m willing sell this and get something else). Anybody have a large frame or bike for sale?

2) Any recommendations for forks? Are bladed forks important? How about Ouzo Comp Aero, or Profile Design BDC, or Kinesis Carbon Wedge, or if bladed is not so important, how about Ouzo Comp Carbon (non-aero, but I know where I can get one for less than half the price of the aero version)?

3) I have acquired an older used set of Profile Design Carbon Stryke aero bars. I intend to mount them on cow horns with dia-compe 188s and put Dura Ace 9 speed bar-end shifters on them. Should I simply tape the shifter cable outside the Carbon Stryke bars, or is there a good way to run the cables internally?

4) Regarding wheels, I have a set of Mavic Ksyrium SSC SLs and a set of Mavic Cosmic Equipes. The Ksyriums are lighter, but the Equipes look more aero. Which is actually better for TTs?

I don’t expect to be a world-beater, I simply want to push myself and see how far (fast) I can go. I’m clear that I’ve not yet come close to finding my limits. I’m going to train this winter at the local YMCA (and snowboard as often as I can) to work on my conditioning for next season. I know that my conditioning is the most important factor, but I want to have at least moderately good equipment also.

I appreciate any advice you are willing to offer.

Many Thanks,

David

David G. White
Burlington, VT
whiteknight@adelphia.net

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