No. 5: TT Frame and Fork
The biggest benefit of a TT bike is that the geometry fixes you into an efficient, aerodynamic position, which is difficult to achieve with a normal road bike.
These days TT bikes are available in a wide price range, and some of the affordable models offer the same benefits of the flagship version. According to Brownlie, a good time-trial bike can save up to 20 seconds over a 40-kilometer time trial over a normal road bike, based on the aerodynamics of the frame alone.
Don't Listen to This
John Cobb recommends using earplugs during a time trial. He's confident that you will ride faster using earplugs because the body associates the volume of the wind to the level of exertion. The earplugs might help you stay calm even when your legs are searing with pain.
Aerodynamic Savings
| Aero Equipment | From (Original) | To (New) | Drag Difference (G) | Time Saved In 40km ITT (Seconds*) |
| Speed Suit | Road bib and jersey | Nike Swift suit (Not standard skinsuit) | -289 | 134 |
| Body Position and Aerobars | Upright, on bullhorns | Normal tuck on aerobars | -262 | 122 |
| Aero Helmet | Road helmet | Aero TT helmet | -144 | 67 |
| Body Position | Normal tuck | Tuned wind tunnel tuck | -121 | 56 |
| Front Wheel at 10-Degree Yaw | 3-5 spoke | Deep rim 12 spoke | -90 | 42 |
| Shoe Covers | No shoe covers | Shoe covers | -65 | 30 |
| Rear Wheel at 0-Degree Yaw | Any full disc | 3-spoke | -63 | 29 |
| Front Wheel at 0-Degree Yaw | 24 spoke aluminum box-section rim wheel | 5-spoke | -50 | 23 |
| New Aero Bike Frame | Standard tubing TT bike | Aero tubing TT bike | -36 | 17 |
| Aero Helmet | Decent aero helmet | Best aero helmet | -29 | 13 |
* For a rider who rides 40km in 48 minutes (50 km/hr). Calculated using T=0.464 x D, (a simplified version of an equation formulated in 1999 by Chester Kyle, a pioneer in cycling aerodynamics since 1974), where T is the time savings in seconds and D is the drag difference in grams. Each savings in drag, expressed in grams from the above table, is multiplied by 0.464 to provide an estimate of the time savings, in seconds, over a 40km time trial. Sports aerodynamicist Len Brownlie, Ph.D. provided the data for this chart, which he has compiled over the past eight years during wind tunnel tests. Based out of Vancouver, British Columbia, Brownlie provides aerodynamic consulting for teams, individuals and manufacturers, including Nike's Project Swift. For more information visit www.aerosportsresearch.com.