Which is best for gaining speed in a TT?

Question

Without buying a whole new bike set up, which of these two would you pick? Better Tires? If so, what do you recommend? or Aero helmet?

I don't want to spend over $60 for tires or $150 for the aero helmet. I am only in my second year of competitive cycling and I'm riding a Trek 1200 that is about 10 years old. I don't want to spend too much more because I would rather just buy a newer bike for next year.

Answer 1

Those were some great suggestions with the aero bars. Also the aero helmet would be much more aerodynamic and increase your speed on the bike. It has been noted that an aero helmet reduces more drag than even having a rear disc wheel. Your tires wouldn't make that much of a noticeable difference however I found some great deals on tires on eBay. I just bought some $120 Continentals for $65 on eBay.

Answer 2

If this is something you are going to do a lot of, buy the helmet. You won't benefit much just from changing your tires and still using the same Bontrager rims.

Aero Bars would benefit your position more if you don't have them. You can mount them to your current bar and will work alright. You may want to revers the "set-back" of your seatpost to bring you a little more forward on your 1200 also.

Other than that, it isn't about spending the money if you can get someone who knows what they are doing to help you get into the best physical and comfortable position to maximize your power.

Answer 3

It would depend on what tires you are using now, right? If ya have relatively heavy tires and tubes, buy ultra light tubes and some tires at around the 200 gram range. If your close to this forget about it.

Answer 4

23mm tyres are the optimum for low rolling resistance and good grip however the pro's tend to ride on 19mm tubular tires (front) and 21mm tubular tires (rear)

I would choose to get a new helmet personal. I would recommend the Bell Meteor 2 (CSC use it) it would cost around $160.

Answer 5

As long as your current tires are 700 X 23C then I would stick with getting the aero helmet.  And, yes, you are due for a bike upgrade.

Answer 6

Tires and tubes if thay make a real weight difference.

Answer 7

You can make more difference by removing all the unnecessary stuff from your bike. Leave off your spare kit, remove your extra bottle cage. And wear tighter clothes. I would recommend aerobars like the other guys said. Reducing rotational mass would make a lot of difference, if you have junky tires (like wire bead tires), you could save a bunch of weight by switching to Kevlar beaded tires.