Who cares if it doesn't fit properly, if it looks that good i can (and will) make my body fit the frame .

could someone please explain this for me?
if the 73 degree seat angle isn't right for TTing then why is it the uci rule? and how come the top TTers manage such blisteringly fast speeds in these positions.
i'm getting a TT bike soon and i think there is only one event in the uk for which a uci legal position is needed so idk how much of a difference it makes to me

hey beardking, I can try and explain as its my quote.

A 73 degree seat angle with low bars results in a closed hip angle and reduction in power.

First, the UCI isn't logical, that is why its their rule. And remember the rule is not a 73 degree STA, its a saddle that is 5cm behind the BB unless you get a morphological exemption. So it means shorter guys are forced to ride effectively slacker seat tube angles. A tall guy can ride close to an effective 76 degree STA with a saddle 5cm behind BB. Levi Leipheimer gets an exemption and rides about 2cm behind the bb.

So, like I said, pro Time Trialists typically ride more forward than 73 degrees, look at Taylor Phinney in 2012 for instance:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/photos/ ... ial/188907" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
as compared with 2008 where he is clearly more around 73-75 degrees:
http://cyclingresults.wordpress.com/200 ... onatthett/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

He is clearly not in a 73 degree seat tube angle position in 2012, though a little closer in 2008. By 2012 Phinney had changed to using an ISM Adamo and therefore can sit on the end of the saddle and run an effective seat tube angle closer to76-78 degrees like many triathletes because he can run it 5cm rearward of the bb and sit very far forward.

As for being able to go fast despite the hip angle limitations, these guys go fast because they train around those limitations. Specificity and big engines overcomes a lot.

So as far as buying a bike goes, I would recommend buying a bike that when you need to you can get your saddle 5cm behind the BB. If that race is important to you, I would recommend finding a saddle that allows you to use that position enough to be good in it.

Good Advices, thank you all! The more i think about it, im leaning more and more towards getting a new P3 from a local bikeshop that can make a bikefit and has lifetime service on the bike. And the new P3 looks so much better then last years model! And as you all know, look is everything
http://www.cervelo.com/en/bikes/p-series/p3.html

cheers for explaining that for me NGMN, i think it kind of makes sense now.
I've booked myself in for a sizing session at http://bikedynamics.co.uk/BikeSizing.htm in a couple of weeks so i will speak to the guy there about it.

the bike i choose will be based on the fit, but at the moment I'm also leaning towards the p3. my local bike shop have a few 2011 models left discounted which plus the normal 10% discount they give me will work out nicely. as far as i can tell there haven't been any changes to the p3?

I think you have been persuaded not to sell a kidney, but question is what is best way of spending money.

If it were me on a tight budget and IF I was looking only at shorter events, I would build the kind of bike that was winning local tt events 10 years ago, and grand tour time trials a few years before that:

I would get a second hand Giant TCR from ebay - probably alloy, and spend the saved money on the disc and deep section front wheel of your choice and a beautiful set of aero bars. Make sure you have a skinsuit that fits well, and a good aero helmet.

If one wants to races organized under the UCI banner, the chinese no-name frames would be a no go, since they haven't passed UCI testing, right?

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Scott Foil Di2 2012
Scott Scale 35 2010

Well, if they can paint a bike to look like a Pinarello, I'm sure it would not be beyond their powers to fake a UCI sticker too...

The whole UCI stuff is utterly pointless - interesting to see what Specialized, 3T and others are doing with their non UCI legal bikes. For example the entry level Shiv Triathlon is dirt cheap and with some nicer wheels would be brilliant for time trials, provided you don't need a super-low position.