On the road
Our local Time Trial course is a short 11 mile out and back circuit, with over 500 feet of climbing in the last mile and change. The road is rough with serpentine curves, and sharp corners at the bottom of rolling descents. Add to that the prevailing gusty winds off the Santa Cruz coastal bluffs and you have a great test course for a time trial rig.

Having ridden the course many times on a traditional road bike, with a personal best on a Kestrel Evoke running Zipp/Storck 69er tubulars, the first attempt on the TT2 beat my PR by over three minutes. With comparable average power output, I was able to maintain higher speeds by virtue of the TT2’s tuck position. The aero advantages become even more apparent in windy conditions.
On the course’s steep mid-section, climbing is best accomplished seated; the far forward TT bar position isn’t optimal for standing. Early on, fast descending was best on the base bars, feathering the brakes. As my confidence on the TT2 grew, I found I was able to gracefully handle all but the slowest hairpin on the extension bars. Gear changes in tuck are very smooth and transitioning from the extensions to the bars for braking is drama-free and very controllable.

Triathlete Impressions
TT2 rider and local Santa Cruz triathlete, Steve Yatson fielded a few questions about the bike for this review. He competes in both regional and national USAT events, and for the last six months has been campaigning a TT2 set-up with SRAM Red, Vision Tech Aero bars, Hed3c Wheels, Michelin Pro Race 3’s, Speedplay Zero Ti’s, and an ISM Adamo race saddle. Recent performances include Golden Gate Triathlon, 2nd AG, 11th overall, SandMan Triathlon 2nd AG, 13th overall and runner-up USAT Southwest Regional Sprint Championship.

Q: Why did you buy a TT2?
A: Price was key for me; I purchased an RS2 from Pedal Force last year and have been happy with it so I figured I’d give the TT2 a try.

Q: How was the ordering/shipping/set-up process?
A: Ordering and shipping were straight forward. They had a Red bundle package that was unbeatable price-wise. With only email communication and response times of generally 48-72 hours connecting with Pedal Force could be quicker. My order came with the wrong tires, but within a week they corrected that. Otherwise, it was easy to order the frame and components.

Q: What were your initial impressions of the bike?
A: It’s a great looking frame, and is solidly constructed. The internal cable routing was a plus and the overall geometry worked well for me.

Q: Have those impressions changed over time?
A: Not really; the bike has been great and after getting the fit dialed-in, it’s been a pleasure to ride. I tend to compete in 40k or less events which can require a fairly aggressive position. I’m able to do that on the TT2, and have done a number of training rides upwards of 70 miles.
Q: Do you fit the bike?
A: I’m 6’-2” but I ride on the nose of the seat and didn’t have any trouble finding a good fit. There was a bit of trial and error but ultimately there were no issues.

Q: Did the TT2 improve your times?
A: Yes by affordably moving from a road bike to a full aero-tuck position my bike splits improved noticeably. I’m no longer competing in events on my road bike, and my overall times are much better.

Q: With the TT2, have you had any notable performances this season?
A: I set personal records at three events and my bike splits are typically in the top 10 overall.

Q: How do other participants in your events react to the TT2?
A: I think the glossy raw carbon look attracts people. I get a lot of questions about who makes the bike, how much, how responsive or stiff it is. With my set-up, it’s an aggressive looking bike. Even with all the really expensive time trial bikes out there, the TT2 stands out and gets plenty of attention.

Q: Any closing words about the TT2?
A: The seat post really needs Carbon Grip paste to avoid slipping, and you’ll need to be very careful torquing the clamp bolts, I had one strip. A new stainless bolt from the hardware store solved that issue. I doubt that a frame costing 3 times as much would help me pull faster splits. At $900, the TT2 is a bargain.

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