I have been doing a great deal of research on the subject of Time Trial and Tri bikes (yes there is a difference but it is subtle and does not really matter when you are at my level any way). Sadly the great resource that I am using? The Internet, where let's face it, anyone with an opinion is suddenly an authority, no matter how inaccurate, or invalid their opinion maybe.
I decided, since the S-Works Transition is far and away too expensive to settle on a more reasonably (yes that is a relative term here) priced 2008 Transition Pro. Probably because the value of the Canadian dollar dropped in 2008 prices for 2009 products have gone up, considerably, also the 2008 looks better, which matters. (Okay some people will like the flashy red 2009 model, but I like the more conservative black with red accents, but whatever the main thing is I am saving a lot of money by going with the previous model year).
Anyway I asked my friend at the bike store if he could get such a bike for me, since it is an older model availability becomes more of a concern.
Well alright see, this is where my skater mentality comes into play, in the world of inline skating lets suppose you decide you want a pair of skates in September, well unless you are a size 6 or size 14 foot you are out of luck. Many manufactures make one production run around October of the previous year, put the skates on the shelves for Christmas and by August or September you will be hard pressed to find something in your size. Going custom is an option, but it is very expensive and suppose you broke your old pair and need a replacement pair, well while you are waiting for your fancy custom skates what do you do? Ride a bike? Do that you might discover that you are really a cyclist, skating was interesting but clearly not your thing and by the time the customs show you're full time on the saddle. Don't laugh, something very similar to that is what happened to me! Oh well, Bont, BSB, MPC and Matter's loss has been Specialized, Mavic, Vittoria and Shimano's gain.
Anyway I asked my friend about availability of the 2008 Specialized and his response, as I really ought to have expected, was 'what size?' This invites a really complicated problem, I need to figure out size and hence all the research. Anyway I have been digging around and the first thing I realise, on talking to a few guys who ride TT (Time Trial) bikes is that I need to speak with people who actually sell these bikes in significant quantities, which is another big change from inline skating, I don't need to go to Ottawa or Cambridge, just Lawrence Ave. and Brimely Rd, or Bloor St. and Keele Ave., or... you get the idea. So okay, the local bike shop does not sell enough TT bikes, Oh well, at least I am not driving across Ontario in a quest for a good bike. But I do realise I should act soon, I guess I'll be buying this thing on lay-a-way.
Anyway here are some resources, hey I found 'em someone else might find them useful, on TT bikes:
Here is a discussion of the difference between Road and TT bikes. For myself I love long rides and while I enjoy riding in groups sometimes the peaceful solitude of ones own thoughts are desirable, and I figure I am going to be doing some Time Trials so having a road and a TT bike makes sense to me.
This is a discussion of proper posture on a TT/Tri bike.
This is a very technical discussion of bike geometry, it is going to take me a few passes to digest everything here.
This is also a very technical discussion of fit for TT and Tri bikes.
On an unrelated note, hi to everyone who came here from Speed Skate World, that post was written with my tongue very firmly planted in cheek, but still, there are an awful lot of really bad drivers out there. I honestly think the province should have more frequent and harsh driver exams, and I also think that the city should limit the number of taxis to something a lot smaller then it is now, apparently the number of taxis is so bad drivers are getting into fist fights for fares, its just a matter of time before a driver eager to pick someone up from the other side of the street does an illegal U-turn and plows into a cyclist who had the misfortune of being in the wrong place (the proper side of the road) and the wrong time (when a Taxi was doing an illegal U-turn).
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