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As part of my plan to get back into Triathlon next year, I'm hunting around for a decent deal on a suitable 2nd hand bike.
Have found a 1997 Litespeed Tachyon in the States for what seems to me to be a decent price. Size is listed as 49cm (19"), which should be a 50cm TT according to the Litespeed 1997 catalogue, so fairly small? I'd normally go for a 52/54cm frame (I'm 5'8" with 31" inseam), but am I right in thinking that for TT/Triathlon a smaller frame is better?
Back when I was last 'seriously' racing (1995/6) I couldn't afford anything other than a cheap and cheerful Giant roadbike, can't remember what size it was or anything about it really! Hence me asking now 😉
This is the bike btw, asking price is USD$500 🙂
[url= http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4090/5224287909_6b5f37d457_o.jp g" target="_blank">
[url= http://www.flickr.com/photos/32746168@N08/5224287909/ ]Tachyon[/url] by [url= http://www.flickr.com/people/32746168@N08/ ]ten_sim[/url], on Flickr
i used to ride a 50cm litespped blade 650c 🙂
It all depends how low you want the tri bars. Is your back flexible and can you breath properly in an aero position?.I would have thought a 19 would be to small and short in the top tube for you.
am I right in thinking that for TT/Triathlon a smaller frame is better?
No - one that fits you is better.
I'd normally go for a 52/54cm frame, but am I right in thinking that for TT/Triathlon a smaller frame is better?
You need to be sure that the top tube length is sufficient so that you won't be cramped, also a realy low frontal position is not much use if it is too low for you to be 1) comfortable 2) mechanically efficient. The front end of my tt bike is not massively low compared tomy road bikes but aero and I can time trial for 25 miles without having to get of the tri bars or being too uncomfortable to pedal.
Don't forget possible duty, vat and freight you may get stung for.
TBH that looks like a converted road bike rather than a tt bike there is a massive gap between the seat post and the rear wheel. If I'm being brutal (imho) it looks a bit of a dog, old gear shifters and bars, looks like a quill stem which will affect changing front end hieght and length
If you need a cheapo tt bike try timetrial forum especially in the off season or the Ribble cheapo alloy tt frame.
That bike is never a 49cm! Looks more like 56-60cm, so more suitable for people over 6 foot.
Im 5.9 and use a small frame slopping top tube (Old model ~ ONCE) Giant for my road and TT bikes.
I bought the TT frame from my mate who is around 5.10 and he used that for years with a lot of success.
I dont have my TT bike at the moment, but the road bike BB-ST=49cm and ST-HT=52cm (Measured straight), and i think they're about the same.
The smaller the frame, the lighter and stiffer it will be.
You want to be looking for a flat back while in the TT position with as little frontal area as possible.
in a word, yes. I'm 5'9 and ride a PX small with a 110 stem. Was sceptical when they told me but seems to have worked out fine however i could have gone with a med and 80mm stem, swings and roundabouts i suppose.....
