Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

Hi all - I've been riding road bikes for about 5 years mainly for fitness - I've recently moved very close to the M7 and so now train on it 3 days a week.

I am currently in the market for a new bike and was thinking of a TT bike - either Giant Trinity, Cervelo P2 or Cannondale Slice 5.

I don't compete in triathlons nor do I plan to - all my riding is the M7 a mixture of 20km (once a week), 40km (once a week) and 60km rides (once a month).

The reason for a TT bike? I like speed, I only ride solo and I like beating my times, my friends times and Garmin times ect. Do you think a TT bike would suit the M7 terrain, and do you think it would be comfortable for those distances (I dont really care about "comfort" what I mean is body aches ect - I have had upper back issues for years, no pain on the road bike though, never ridden a TT bike).

Get some clip ons for your current bike first especially if you can lower the bars. The contortion that is TT is a world unto it's own and an expensive one at that. If your budget is accommodating, some TT / Aero wheels are a good investment that will suit the purpose whatever the bike as well.

Another option is to get a cheap one second hand to try it out that way you don't lose out so much if it's not to your liking. There are heaps of TT bikes that go round second hand.

Regarding the terrain, the m7 ( as i'm sure you know ) has quite a few stop/start tight corners and obstacles. Good practice but depending on the time of day it may not be worth it. The section from the nappy factory south is a lot better that the northern end aswell. Early, late, midday it's doable but any other time you'll be dropping your speed substantially to be safe tio the point that a road bike might actually be quicker.

Would it be comfortable? Assuming the fit is correct and you start with 20km then move up, quite possible, if you jump on and try to do 40+kms on your first ride your shakin for some achein