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First up the staggering difference with the Giant over most TT bikes is the weight, or lack of it. Time trial bikes have always been a bit on the weighty side and usually people excuse them and say that weight isn’t the real issue aerodynamics and position are far more important. I’m not so sure I always thing that a lighter bike (within reason) is always going to be better than a heavy one, especially if you like a testing, hilly time trial. Well the Giant is light certainly the lightest
Disc wheels are usually first on a testers list of must have performance enhancers. They can certainly make you ‘feel’ faster as the rumble away underneath you, I can’t comment on the wind tunnel effects but I can comment on the performance in a cross wind (scary) and their out right speed on the flat (awesome) the front wheel too has to add speed and many say that this is the place where aerodynamics really makes a difference.
Zipp,
The brakes from Cane Creek are quite a feature partly because they are standard Dia Compe brakes re-worked to get the weight down and partly because they do actually work, much has been said about dual pivot brakes and single pivots and yes there are definite differences in stopping power, but these diminutive stoppers apply more than their fair share of
The bottom bracket we fitted had to allow for a larger 44T inner chainring, so we opted for the adjustable, sealed titanium version from Royce, it’s going to cost you a fair bit of cash but the bearings are the finest money can buy and the spin effortlessly. Weight saving over a standard Record bracket is 160g (Royce) v 197g (Record) performance and longevity is certainly in Royce’s favour as they spin on for a very long time. Cost £229.
Pedals from Speedplay… but at long last we finally finished building the RCUK speed machine.
The build-up takes a while because this bike needed to match up perfectly with a previous TT position. The adjustability is incredible especially the seat cradle that can be moved to alter the effective frame angle. The Nokon cable set (supplied with the frame) also takes a while to install… we’ll no doubt be changing stuff around a little, watch this space.
Building a bike like this is like a recipe, that you can taste all along the way. The components were all hand picked to offer performance and none failed to
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Specification
Frame sizes: S, M & L
Size tested: M
Frame tubing: Giant carbon monocoque
Fork: Giant Carbon integrated
Headset: Giant Integrated
Crankarms: Campagnolo Record Carbon
Chainrings: 53/44
B/B: Royce Carbon sleeved Racing Gold
Pedals: Speedplay Zero Stainless
Chain: SRAM 10
Freewheel: Miche Alloy 11-21, 10 speed
F/D: Campagnolo Record
R/D: Campagnolo Record
Shifters: Campagnolo Record bar end
Handlebar: Giant carbon
Stem: 12cm Deda
Tape: Benotto
Brakes: Cane Creek with carbon levers
Wheels: Zipp 999
Tyres: Continental 19mm Sprinter Tubs
Cost: £1999.99
From: Giant bicycles
Contact: Giant UK 0115 977 5900
