Rat Tri bike?

[CRASH]

I was realizing today that I miss Triathlons. My $2+k race bike was stolen out of my garage some years ago and I was never able to replace it. All I've had is a cruiser. I plan on rebuilding the cruiser to make it awesome, but I can't get out and really pound miles like I could on my road bike.

So... in the spirit of RRB, I'm wondering if anyone has ever done a ratty Triathlon/Time Trial bike? The geometry is very steep, and I don't know how "new" that is. I wouldn't want to be "competitive, so to speak, but I'd need to be able to go fast.

Frame recommendations? Previous RRB "Tri" builds? My searching came up with nada.

 

[wheelbender6]

One idea might be to put a finish on your components that looks like brass. it would provide a steampunk appearance. Plenty of used tri bikes on craigslist at a modest price from builders like Fuji and KHS. Sure would be great to get a deal on a Griffen, though.

 

[Captain Awesome]

C'mon, Graeme Obree built his world record Sprint bike out of washing machine parts. Sounds ratty to me.

:mrgreen:


http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graeme_Obree

 

[schertztx]

I was thinking about using one of my rats and enter my first tri next weekend! Not quite what you were thinking though I'm sure. Sure would be funny to get a pic of the transition area with my bike sitting there
BTW, I changed my mind when I saw the course and the hills. :shock:

 

[Carbon]

It better be rediculously super ultra light weight or the roadies will never accept you into there culture. :lol:

 

[CRASH]

Roadies can kiss my rear end. (Before they pass me). I like to do Tri's to push myself, not to be competitive. I kill in the water, and could do better than most on the bike. It's the run that I get clobbered. :?

I can tell you all from experience that using a cruiser, even as a joke, does a lot more harm to you than anyone else. It just sucks all the go juice out of you. So, I'd like something relatively fast and efficient, but has a cool ratty look, rather than a sponsored racing look.

I was really hoping someone on here had done something for inspiration, but if I have to be the first, so be it. First stop, CL.

Actually, first stop is work, to earn the money.

 

[wheelbender6]

There are posts for skinny tire rats throughout this forum. You may be able to combine their ideas with your light weight frame and components to make a speedy rat that will better turn your energy into speed. It's worth a search.
I thought Obree trained on the bike with washing machine parts and set the record with the bike provided by Specialized. I'll have to rewatch the "Flying Scot". Being from Kannapolis, I suspect the Capt knows his racing history well.

 

[ifitsfreeitsforme]

I would just collect parts from EBay or CL and do the usual flat black frame, red rims looks. Top it off with white high end tires. I could probably build a competitive racing bike for under $500.

 

[wheelbender6]

Here are 18 pages of skinny tire rats. Many are diamond framed.
viewtopic.php?f=70&t=22295

 

[Captain Awesome]

There are posts for skinny tire rats throughout this forum. You may be able to combine their ideas with your light weight frame and components to make a speedy rat that will better turn your energy into speed. It's worth a search.
I thought Obree trained on the bike with washing machine parts and set the record with the bike provided by Specialized. I'll have to rewatch the "Flying Scot". Being from Kannapolis, I suspect the Capt knows his racing history well.

He tried with the Specialized bike but settled on a mix of Old Reliable with the high end Specialized components.



Nice Kannapolis reference BTW. Keen eye.

 

[Vonpotter]

I've been kicking this idea around myself for some time. Finding a cool steel frame for a basis on this would be pretty simple, and I do have a few frames hanging on the wall that are candidates for the task. I've just been waiting around for a curvy aluminum frame with 1 1/8" headset to fall into my possession, then it will happen. :lol:

 

[wheelbender6]

Van Dessel makes some curvy aluminum frames. Maybe that's a good place to start.
Mrazek produced some curvy frames but sellers want a mint for them now.

 

[henryraul]

I need to see more pics of it so that i can make some choice out of it...I needed for racing and i want everything perfect..Is it a good deal to assemble all the parts rather than going for readily available one????

 

[Captain Awesome]

Van Dessel

 

[Captain Awesome]

Mrazek

 

[CRASH]

Thanks for that link. There is an old 10 speed at the farm I got my daughter's tricycle from. I'll have to see if it's the right size and weight to be the base for the project.

 

[wheelbender6]

I had sold all my road bikes to clear out some garage space and now you guys have me wanting one again.

 

[FunkyStickman]

Make a tri bike with a standard frame, but skinny white walls... and drum brakes! Sturmey does make a rear drum hub that uses 9-speed cassettes...

Sent from my Galaxy Tab using Tapatalk

 

[Vonpotter]

I might have to see if we can get a van dessel in....