How to “Randoize” a TT Bike


Last year, I was surprised that on the 24-hour races I was in, how many how full-on TT bikes there were, instead of a regular bike with clip-on aerobars. In December of 2014 I picked up a 2nd hand Cervelo P3C time trial / triathlon bike (for a song). Since many (most) of my training rides are solo, I figured “why not use a TT bike?” as it is faster. The exception is those routes that have a lot of steep climbing as the front chainring is 53/39, instead 50/33 like my other distance bikes. So this summer, but many of my 100K and some of 200K rides I have been using this machine.

Here is how to “Randoize” a TT bike (trick it out for use in randonneuring):

~ Add a second water bottle up underneath the aerobars with a hose that I can reach while writing. (This bike only has one water bottle attachment point.)

~ Add a custom-made eoGEAR bike bag that has Velcro long enough to go around the flat seatpost.

~ Long cage derailleur and a 12/30 cassette to make it easier getting up those nine or 10% hills.

~ Add a light extension bracket so the front main light is sitting below the handlebars. This position shows the texture and holes in the road better.

~ Mountain bike pedals to facilitate shoes that are easy to walk in.

~ Heavily padded TT saddle which presumably will absorb some of the vibrations of this stiff bike.

~ 38mm carbon wheels switch still except a standard 48 mm Presta valve. Deep enough to be slightly aero, but not so deep you get blown over in most cross winds.

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Author: Rando Richard

I’m an old guy (age 69 in 2023) who enjoys aerobic, endurance sports. I call myself a cardio-junkie. Perhaps the more appropriate term would be “ultra” endurance sports. Since I was a teenager I have always enjoyed “slow twitch” outdoor sports like backpacking, ice climbing, running, mountaineering, hiking, alpine skiing and randonnée skiing (alpine touring, backcountry skiing or skimo). In 2005 I starting running with more regularity — except this time it was not for the intent of getting ready for a mountaineering trip, but as an end to itself. From 2005 to 2007 I managed to eek out two seasons of ultramarathons — that is competitive trail runs up to 50 or 100 miles. Due to a nagging ankle injury from the 80s (an accident while ice climbing in the 1980s where my lower tib and fib were badly broken), I had to cease that grueling, but rewarding activity. I then migrated into ultra distance road cycling or randonneuring. The rides are called brevets (pronounced bruh-VAY, it’s French) and are minimally supported — they are similar to ultrarunning and backpacking where one must be self reliant. Although brevets are non-competitive, they do have have cut off times to qualify as a finisher. They are usually are done in groups, which can have a competitive slant to them. Today, I continue to participate in long distance cycling including some ultra-racing, randonnée skiing (a blend of cross country and downhill disciplines) and still get out on an occasional mountaineering trip. Since 1996 I have been designing, manufacturing and selling camera bags. That is Kinesis Photo Gear (kgear.com). In 2005 I started selling cycling bags under the Kinesis label and eventually expanded it to including other sports like SUP (stand-up paddle boarding and some skimo). Consequently, it become eoGEAR — the “eo” stands for endurance outdoor. My wife and I are empty-nesters now and we live and work out in the boondocks of central Utah, half way between Salt Lake City (great powder) and Moab (great red rocks). Well, I guess that is all for now. Safe travels mate! Perhaps I’ll see you on the road or trail. — Richard Stum

8 thoughts on “How to “Randoize” a TT Bike”

  1. Richard, our setups are amazingly similar. I’m also a Rando doing my first 24 hour race at Borrego this week. I will be on a black and red Cervelo S3 road bike with clip ons and aero wheels. Only difference is I put my water bottles behind the seat. I did a 200k, 300k and 600k this way excepting the handlebar bag, I elected to remove it for the race. See you there. I will look you up. I am in the youngster’s class (55-59). GL Ed Rusa#560

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  2. I have an XLAB 400 wing that attaches to the seat rails. I have two waterbottle cages fixed to it. I have tubes and tire irons in the middle well of the XLAB. I have no problem reaching to get bottles. I used this on PBP. At Borrego I additionally plan to use a water bottle connected to my clip on bars in a horizontal fashion. It has a straw. I am not sure if I will like this straw deal. I normally grab a 2-4 oz drink every 10 minutes. I will have in effect three bottles on the bike and will stop about every 100 miles (riding upsupported…will stop every 5 or 6 laps). It took my one ride to be comfortable reaching to my hip for the bottle and maybe two rides before I could put it back instantly without fumbling around. Depending on who’s aerodynamic lies you wish to believe, elimination of the two bottles on the seat and down tubes cuts either 30 or 50 grams of drag. Not huge.

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    1. Today, I adapted a SKS single bottle holder to attach behind my seat post and tried it on a training ride. But then where do I put my bag with flat repair stuff? Under it maybe, or in my jersey? I may stick with the bottle under the aerobars and one on the frame.

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  3. The flat repair stuff is why I went with the xlabs wing, I can fit two tubes and levers or one tube and a CO2. I usually mount a small Lezyne pump to the cages. I am pretty sure the positioning of bottles is not a big deal compared to the positioning of our bodies. I had a fitting for TT position and tried it out on a 300k ride. Too low. I raised the position a bit. Hope it is good at around sunrise Saturday morning and I have 240 or so miles in the bank. Optimism never hurts.

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  5. hi I’m new to this, my longest ride is 150 mi. I’ve never used aero bars, just regular drop bars that are slightly lower than my saddle. Is this aero position with drop bars more comfortable than a more upright “standard” road position ?

    I imagine that resting weight on elbows/forearms could be more comfortable despite being bent over more.

    I am not interested in going faster if it means that it will cause more back/neck fatigue at the end of a long brevet.

    Thank you,
    Adam

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