Time Trial rules

Now we have something / quite-a-lot to discuss and celebrate.
Post Reply
Onefourseven
Posts: 7
Joined: 18 Jan 2019, 7:16pm

Time Trial rules

Post by Onefourseven »

Hi i'm doing my first TT ever in a couple of days and i'm a bit confused. Do road bikes compete in a different category to TT bikes? Are tri-bars allowed on TT bikes but not road bikes? Can you enter a road bike with Tri-bars in a TT category? thanks
freeflow
Posts: 1808
Joined: 29 Aug 2011, 1:54pm

Re: Time Trial rules

Post by freeflow »

Might be better off asking here

https://www.timetriallingforum.co.uk/
Clever enough to know I'm not clever enough.
mattheus
Posts: 6781
Joined: 29 Dec 2008, 12:57pm
Location: Western Europe

Re: Time Trial rules

Post by mattheus »

Onefourseven wrote: 19 Aug 2025, 1:18pm Hi i'm doing my first TT ever in a couple of days and i'm a bit confused. Do road bikes compete in a different category to TT bikes? Are tri-bars allowed on TT bikes but not road bikes? Can you enter a road bike with Tri-bars in a TT category? thanks
ASSUMING YOUR RACE HAS A SEPARATE RB CATEGORY, THEN:
- yes.
- correct
- yes

IF NOT, then you can choose any bike, with/without tri-bars, everyone's in the same category!

p.s. don't forget you need a lid, front and rear lights - even if it's a Hill Climb!
User avatar
EdT
Posts: 132
Joined: 18 Aug 2024, 1:35pm
Location: Munich, Germany

Re: Time Trial rules

Post by EdT »

Wow, how things have changed since my last TT. Why are lights considered a necessity?
User avatar
mjr
Posts: 21512
Joined: 20 Jun 2011, 7:06pm
Location: Norfolk or Somerset, mostly
Contact:

Re: Time Trial rules

Post by mjr »

EdT wrote: 23 Aug 2025, 9:09pm Wow, how things have changed since my last TT. Why are lights considered a necessity?
I think it's too many blind drivers causing scary near misses and CTT being run by the Safety Theatre types now.
MJR, mostly pedalling 3-speed roadsters. KL+West Norfolk BUG incl social easy rides http://www.klwnbug.co.uk
All the above is CC-By-SA and no other implied copyright license to Cycle magazine.
User avatar
TrevA
Posts: 4059
Joined: 1 Jun 2007, 9:12pm
Location: Nottingham

Re: Time Trial rules

Post by TrevA »

There are various rules concerning road bike eligibility, but if you fit tri bars to your road bike it is then classed as a TT bike. Rear lights were introduced a few years ago, front lights more recently, to enable half-blind drivers to be able to see you more clearly on the roads. And helmets are now compulsory for time trialling.

As a club event time keeper, I quite like front lights, as I can usually see the rider coming from a long way away. Lights vary from barely visible (and sometimes covered by the riders arm/hand) to visible from outer space.

We keep a stock of cheap front and rear lights at the start of events, in case anyone turns up without one.
Sherwood CC and Notts CTC.
A cart horse trapped in the body of a man.
http://www.jogler2009.blogspot.com
mattsccm
Posts: 5486
Joined: 28 Nov 2009, 9:44pm

Re: Time Trial rules

Post by mattsccm »

What ever the bike, shove TT bars on and it is a TT bike. The CTT rules as linked above show what you can ride. I exploited them the other day as I wanted to ride a local clubs road bike only event but my normal road back wheel was having its hair washed so I shoved my spare deep wheel in 82mm .
Tis all a bit silly as supposedly this road bike class was meant to keep things cheap and easy for beginners. It does in one way but anyone out for a win will take all the advantages allowed at a much higher cost than many a TT bike.
you can get a TT bike for b****** all nowadays as those with a bit of cash ditch their old one for disc braked stuff. My Cervelo cost me about the same as a pricey aero lid. That's with a disc wheel. Our usually even 10 is usually won by someone with a road bike. Alright he is 30 something whereas us fat and 60 riders do all we can to buy a bit of speed. It is more fun than training. . If it is just a club evening TT I wouldn't worry unless it is road bikes only.
Post Reply