"New" project bike

[TechniKal]

Added aero bars to my road bike and hated the fact that it basically eliminated every usable position on the bike other than aero. No tops, ackward hoods, hard to access the drops... I mentioned this to a guy at work and he told me he had an old road bike that he didn't want that I could use...

It actually isn't that old - it's a 2000 Cannondale R1000 Aero. Not a real tri bike, lacking the the steep seat tube angle, but it'll provide a platform that I can set up as a tri-specific bike and still have my road bike for group rides.

This is the bike after cleaning it up a bit:

http://www.grassrootstx.com/tri/bike.JPG

The bike looked a lot worse than it actually was. The cables were rusted in place. The rear brake "barrel" adjuster was broken. It needs a new chain and probably a new big ring. And it looks like a possum got after the saddle:

http://www.grassrootstx.com/tri/saddle.JPG

Otherwise, everything looks to be functional.

It also has a set of Syntace C2 clip-ons that aren't shown in the pictures.

I plan on taking the drop bar and STI shifters off and adding a bullhorn bar and bar-cons. I'm also going to swap the setback seatpost with a zero offset post, and move to a shorter stem. This should put me in a pretty comfortable aero position on the bike - ala UCI Time Trial specs. Hopefully I'lll have everything up and running in a couple of weeks.

[DirtFace]

musta had quite a blowout on that seat

[TechniKal]

musta had quite a blowout on that seat

Yeah - I'm glad I wasn't riding behind him when that happened...

[Kenton]

"Added aero bars to my road bike and hated the fact that it basically eliminated every usable position on the bike other than aero."

Scott DH Handlebar '87 (http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/features/history/lg/11.jpg)

Another view (http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/features/history/lg/20.jpg)

I rode these for a long time. They were very comfortable, just scared others around me...

-Kenton

[Macho Man]

I would not put a foward or zero post on. The best thing to do is keep your regular position on the road bike, place the aero bars on the stem and adjust your aero positon according to your seat position. Set up the bike as you would if you were going to ride road then just place your elbow on the bars and that is where you are rest should go. Back in the days when I was a newbeei tri-geek the foward position was the way to go but after years of expermenting and asking question the regular road position is the way to go.

[TechniKal]

I can't use a forward post anyway - the tall seat tube extention combined with the high seat rails of the seat I'm planning on using means I won't have enough seatpost extention to use one. I use a zero offset Thomson on my current roadbike (and mountain bike), and the TT on this bike is the same length, so I'll go with the same on this bike. I plan to run a slightly shorter stem than on my road bike and push the seat a bit more forward to "open" up my position a bit so I'm not so cramped when on the aero bars.

I've got the bike almost completely cleaned up now. The headset spacers were galvanized onto the fork steerer tube and that was a bitch to fix. Everything else is cleaning up pretty good, though. I got the base bar and bar end shifter and just need to install them, spray paint the silver syntac bars black, tape the bars, and give it an inagural test ride - maybe hit the Georgetown Tuesday ride with the other tri geeks if I can get it completed this weekend.

[stackout]

if you havent done aero before, I would go conservative on the setup - i.e. ride less aero. You can really tweak your neck as you adjust to having your face pointing down. I saw a good rule of thumb being that when on the aero bar with your leg at the bottom of the pedal stroke that angles between your hip and torso and your upper arm and torso should both be square, and your upper arm and hip should be about parellel. Make sure you dont have your elbow out ahead of your shoulder - thats when neck and back stuff can arise.

[Weeg]

The geo of that Frame looks kinda laid back for Aero Bars, which is a misatek many roadies make...

Look at the Tri/TT Bikes...The Seat Tube anlges are more forward...

As an interim, TTT makes a set of Aeros called "Mini-Sub-8s"...They are great to put on a road frame of more "road" geometry.

Just .02 from an old Tri Geek


:D

[TechniKal]

It's definitely not going to be a super low aero position - I'm not that flexible. I'm using a shorter and higher rise stem than is shown on the old pics. The aero bars are syntace C2's, but smalls - so I'm not stretched out even with the more relaxed geometry. My elbow to shoulder angle is close to 90d.

I'll take some pictures of the current setup tonight. I think it'll work well once I get everything dialed in. At a minimum, I've come within 1cm of replicating the dimensions Jack and Adams set up on my Bianchi, without having to dork my celeste beauty out in tri gear.

[Macho Man]

Take a look at my Tri set up. I have a very relaxed position. My seat and areo bar pads are at the same level.
Man how do you import a picture?

[TechniKal]

Here's what it looks like now. All that's left to do is install the bar end shifter and cable those and put on new tires. The thing has cleaned up exceptionally well. The only thing that's cosmetically wrong with it is the paint has cracked away from the cable stops due to the old cable caps galvanizing in there.


http://www.grassrootstx.com/tri/tribike3.JPG

New seat, base bar, brake levers, stem and post.

This is the most extreme drop I could run - the stem's at the bottom of all the spacers. This puts the aero bar pads about 1.5" below the seat. I'll likely raise it a bit when I actually set it up.

Chris - email me your pic (kylefpoole@hotmail.com) and I'll host it and post it for you.

[jodemeister]

Nice looking bike!

[TechniKal]

All done!

http://www.grassrootstx.com/tri/tribikedone.JPG

[Macho Man]

It looks fast so that means you have to start training to look like a fast Tri Geek.

[TechniKal]

It looks fast so that means you have to start training to look like a fast Tri Geek.

I'm training - probably fitter than I've been since really training for mtb racing a couple of years ago. I feel strong on the bike and pretty good on the run. I'm getting passed by little old ladies doing the backstroke in the pool, though. I figure I'll just use the swim as a warmup for the bike anyway. If I lose a few minutes - big deal. My goal is to finish the 1/2 IM under 6 hours with a stretch goal of 5:30.

[Macho Man]

If you have time tack a masters swim class or find a good coach. One of my Clif Bar crew is a Tri coach. If you want I can hook you up with him.

[TechniKal]

I'll come out this Tuesday to the GTown ride and we can discuss.

Thanks!

KP

[Macho Man]

KP
Not sure if I will be able to make it to the Tursday Night rides at this time. My Mother in Law has treminal cancer and she is living.
If you want I can add you to the Tueday Night ride list to keep you up to date.

[TechniKal]

Sorry to hear about your Mother in law. Hope things go as well as they can.

I went out and rode with some of your buddies tonight. I just did one easy loop - my legs are shot from 3 solid weeks of riding and running. Bike worked fine, but my neck muscles need to adapt to looking forward.

[Macho Man]

Thanks for the kind words.
Make sure your sunglasses sit up high on your face so you do no have to lift your head but yes it takes a little while to get use to.

[carney]

what setup is different on a tri bike as opposed to a regular road bike?

[TechniKal]

what setup is different on a tri bike as opposed to a regular road bike?

Tri bikes are made to be more comfortable in the aero position since you're not allowed to draft during tri's. Road bikes are designed to maximize power and comfort and don't focus as much on aerodymanics since you're often racing in a pack.

Tri bikes typically have a steeper seat tube angle, shorter top tube for a given size and shorter head tube to allow the bars to be placed lower. This effectively rotates the rider forward relative to the BB.

[carney]

thanks for the info.

[XIBALBA]

This is the most extreme drop I could run - the stem's at the bottom of all the spacers. This puts the aero bar pads about 1.5" below the seat. I'll likely raise it a bit when I actually set it up.

Looks like a sore back. Don't forget that core strength.