Any benefit of TT training?

[Le Velo]

I am not doing any TT events or racing myself but was wondering if there would be any benefit in training with a TT bike at all?

[arand18]

Maybe to get a feel for the bike and to get comfortable with it.

[toolonglegs]

Why would you bother riding a TT bike ( different position ) unless you are actually going to ride it in competition?... TT intervals on your road bike would be more beneficial as that is what you race on.

[vbplease]

Perhaps to add a bit of variety to training and keep things interesting? But if you're not going to do TT events, it may be an expensive way of having fun?

Finding places to train could also be a problem? I took my TT bike on the Redcliffe loop today - the Sandgate esplenade and bridge over to Redcliffe are great spots to tuck in and go for it, but the other 90% of the time I was on the bullhorns. A while back we went to Port of Brisbane for a ride which is absolutely perfect for TT training.. until security escorted us out. If you know of other places to train other than a velodrome, I'd be keen to hear about them

I would say TT training would be good training for your sprints in normal road races as the burn you get from tucking in the TT position and pumping your legs for quite a few k's is a great workout.. not to mention TT bikes look awesome - which is the most important part of cycling isn't it?

[Le Velo]

Thanks for the input. Not planning to do any TT races only road races or crits as I already do. Was wondering as some of the guys I know do train on TT bikes but do not race on them and thought maybe there would be some sort of benefit of such "cross training" but again, different bike, different riding position, different technique, etc ....

Vbplease, no really TT training section down my way unless there are only short ones around 5km or so, if lucky maybe a bit more however I like the section that goes towards chandler coming from Rochedale, from the roundabout section you can just light it up and go full gas till chandler..... After that of course you'd have traffic lights.
I guess the only section around for TT training would have to be the airport ( I heard anyway, never been there)

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Thanks for the input. Not planning to do any TT races only road races or crits as I already do. Was wondering as some of the guys I know do train on TT bikes but do not race on them and thought maybe there would be some sort of benefit of such "cross training" but again, different bike, different riding position, different technique, etc ....

Do the TT training on your road bike. Far more beneficial for performance on your road bike.

Use the money saved on things that might help your performance far more than a TT bike you'll never race on.

[brentono]

As pointed out, TT bike-No
TT Training-Yes.
It's a great way to train, allowing you to keep check on your own progression.
You can set personal goals, and be happy when they are achieved.
Optomising your performance over a set coarse, regularly, is a great personal gauge.
Allowing you to progress over a period, during which you can change other parts of
your training routine, and see if they can be beneficial.
Competition, is great training, but can never be a real gauge of personal progression.
Until of coarse you start constantly winning, and then you know your training is working.
All the best

[Le Velo]

As pointed out, TT bike-No
TT Training-Yes.
It's a great way to train, allowing you to keep check on your own progression.
You can set personal goals, and be happy when they are achieved.
Optomising your performance over a set coarse, regularly, is a great personal gauge.
Allowing you to progress over a period, during which you can change other parts of
your training routine, and see if they can be beneficial.
Competition, is great training, but can never be a real gauge of personal progression.
Until of coarse you start constantly winning, and then you know your training is working.
All the best

I do try to incorporate some TT training already yes and find it to be beneficial, particularly for road race events or endurance also.
I have a loop in particular that has some real fast sections with no stops or traffic lights and can really get going ..... as far as wins concerned I took 2nd place in the last crit I did and 6th at the Avanti classic. Jumping to B grade from now on for the next crits ..... that will be the real tester for fitness and see how I fair up against the pups (Am 37 years young )

[PawPaw]

Nundah Dome is the place for TT training. Redcliffe Triathlon Club are there most Thursday arvos.
There's always riders there with TT bikes or aero bars doing intervals. A sponsored elite A rider I know blows me away as he can do around 50kph for ~10 minutes. The noise of the rear dish wheel is very impressive.

Recently, a mate and I have put aero bars on our bikes ot train for the HPRW ITT in a few weeks. The difference of getting your elbows down and supported, and relaxing your shoulders and back, is about 2.5-3 kph (in the mid to high 30s).

Training wise, we use a lower cadence (82-88rpm) than on the bars, and have the saddle forwards so that the tibial tuberosity (google it) is vertically over the tip of the big toe (rather than over the pedal axle). This biases using the quads. The saddle may also need to be tilted down 1-2degrees.

You may also need a shorter stem, and slam it after getting used to being down. It is a lot more comfortable than I thought. But you do lose some stability and steering control obviously.

A few cautions though about the Dome. Large birds (stalks, ibis) have been congregating and cr#pping all over it recently. Don't count on them getting out of the way in a timely fashion. Do a few laps on your bars before going to the aeros, just to give the birds time to realize you are doing laps. I've had 3 near misses in the last week.

[Le Velo]

Nundah Dome is the place for TT training. Redcliffe Triathlon Club are there most Thursday arvos.
There's always riders there with TT bikes or aero bars doing intervals. A sponsored elite A rider I know blows me away as he can do around 50kph for ~10 minutes. The noise of the rear dish wheel is very impressive.

Recently, a mate and I have put aero bars on our bikes ot train for the HPRW ITT in a few weeks. The difference of getting your elbows down and supported, and relaxing your shoulders and back, is about 2.5-3 kph (in the mid to high 30s).

Training wise, we use a lower cadence (82-88rpm) than on the bars, and have the saddle forwards so that the tibial tuberosity (google it) is vertically over the tip of the big toe (rather than over the pedal axle). This biases using the quads. The saddle may also need to be tilted down 1-2degrees.

You may also need a shorter stem, and slam it after getting used to being down. It is a lot more comfortable than I thought. But you do lose some stability and steering control obviously.

A few cautions though about the Dome. Large birds (stalks, ibis) have been congregating and cr#pping all over it recently. Don't count on them getting out of the way in a timely fashion. Do a few laps on your bars before going to the aeros, just to give the birds time to realize you are doing laps. I've had 3 near misses in the last week.

Waow some interesting facts here .... there is just a bit more than just riding I guess and can see that a TT position / bike is bit different than a roadie I guess.
Any reason for the low cadence? I usually like to sit around 95 - 110 or so
My saddle is positioned currently at -6% also as it suits me perfect for my style of riding (low and forward)
I usually myself ride "On the rivets" and also slammed to the front and currently run a 120mm stem at -17% angle down as well and really enjoy this riding style.

Looks like I'm almost there .... just not sure on having just clip on tri-bars as unless it's a straight line you would get on and off often to change gears and cornering I guess / think

[deadrat]

Not TT racing....absolutely no point training on a TT bike. You have an aggressive position, aero bars will do nothing for you (they most certainly will not make you ride 2.5-3km/ph faster). When you need to stay low and do longer sustained efforts/intervals etc just stay in the drops. Leave the TT bikes for TT racers and ironman type racers (most triathletes don't even need them).

[Alex Simmons/RST]

Not TT racing....absolutely no point training on a TT bike.

Not for improvement in ability, although some people might enjoy it and that can be reason enough.

You have an aggressive position, aero bars will do nothing for you (they most certainly will not make you ride 2.5-3km/ph faster).

I gain 2km/h on flat roads from such a change. Others may gain more or less speed from such a change depending on many things.