I want to get a new time trial bike frame, but don't want to spend a ton. where could I start looking?

Answer 1

Don't take this the wrong way, I'm trying to help.

If you're asking that question in this forum, a TT frame isn't going to help you go faster. You can have a custom made lotus super bike, but without training you'll get passed by some schmuck on a 25 year old touring bike.

There are a few things that might help in terms of equipment -

Clip-on TT bars
Aero rear wheel

The bike has to be comfortable and balanced between good fit and aerodynamic position.

True story - I'm a little dude, more of a climber, and never TT'd very well. There was a guy a couple of years ago in a local stage race that was getting back into racing after seven years off. He built up an old Takara road frame with clip-ons, a rear wheel cover, and old sew-up tire/rims inflated to 150 PSI. I was on my full carbon race frame with HED trispokes. He beat me by a minute in 5 miles, taking 2nd in his age group. Of course, the next day in the road race he got dropped on the first climb, I placed 5th.

Spend your effort on training, not posing. Besides, when you beat the _other_ posers on their $6000 dollar bikes riding your bargain basement TT rig, it makes you feel that much better.

Answer 2

Start looking on Ebay for used frames. Triathletes love new stuff, so there are always lots of deals to be found on used frames and complete bikes. If you are looking for values in a new frame, Trek's aluminum TT frames are not bad for the money.

Answer 3

Trek, Specialized, Quinana Roo, etc. make the frames you are looking for, and the more you spend the more options you will have (Cervelo, etc.)

go to your local bike shops and look around, they can always order what you are looking for

Answer 4

i agree with mad monkey TRAIN! but e-bay is a good place to start looking.