Weight Weenies

Thinking of building a 'hill-climb' time trial bike with fixed speed gearing for use only in local hill-climb events.

Was thinking of a titanium frame to start with and then go from there, but I don't have too much of an idea where to start in terms of manufacturer.

My road bike weighs already weighs in at 6.45kg, so I'd want to have this thing built a good bit less than that.

Any advice or pointers would be appreciated.

Cheers

Paul

why ti?? tends to be flexy for the weight compared to carbon.. and comfort not an issue on a hill climb..

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Looking forward to this, it's strange that there aren't many hill climb bikes on a weight weenie forum.
I did one yesterday on a 7.9kg bike which made me think about building up a hill climb fixie.
I've not seen a Ti hill climb bike before mainly because it's easier and cheaper to use carbon or alu which would perform just as well or better, but If you want Ti frame then fair enough.
The main points to sought out are the dropouts and rear hub. I would reckon it would be better to get a light road frame with a chain tensioner than a heavier track frame without.
But if you do go the track frame route I know van nic do a track frame

Out of interest, what hill climb did you take part in? I did the Hollingbourne Hill Climb in Kent yesterday, came 3rd at my 1st attempt, so was delighted with that.

The winner won on a titanium specialist hill climb bike, which has given me a few ideas. I'm not sold on Ti, but thought that may be a better build for this type of bike - I will also be going for fixed.

Inter club hill climb challenge up Sharpenhoe Clappers (north Hertfordshire) It was a pretty small event but I was pleased to win.
Fixed is a great way to do it but occasionally you may need to use your road bike.
Personally I would get an old alu or carbon frame of ebay but that's just me.
When you say fixed do you mean horizontal dropouts?

The EBay thing may be better as I don't want to spend too much money in any case, having spent a fortune on a new road bike this year.

Yeah, it would be fixed speed, with the horizontal drop-outs, may even opt for a smaller 650c wheel, as I've seen that is popular. I can even remember Laurent Jalabert changing his bike to an uber-light Titanium machine with 650c wheels in the Giro one year, till they outlawed it and put a weight limit on the bikes!!!

Congratulations on the win btw!

thanks!
what chain are you thinking of using

I made one on a budget last year - i bought a cheap Planet X frame with vertical dropouts and rode it fixed with a "magic gear" (IE the gear i wanted to use happened to fit with a 34X17)
I'm going to use the same bike again this year but might look into something with horizontal dropouts in the future. If someone can recommend a cheap, light (1000g) frame with horizontal dropouts i'd be keen
I think i made a forum topic about it but then forgot to update... I'll see if i can get some pictures taken and move it forward.

I'd love to see it, the only problem I see with the magic gear is that I'd want to change the rear cog.
Check out the Dolan Seta thats around 1000g

currieinahurry wrote:why ti?? tends to be flexy for the weight compared to carbon

Only if that's the way it's built.

You can built a Ti bike that's every bit as stiff as alu or carbon, just like you can build carbon or alu bike that's every bit as 'comfortable' as Ti is renowned for being.

maybe check out the old/original scott plasma TT frames - i seem to remember they were very light and likely had horiz drops (although they apparently weren't very aero).

BikeTart wrote:You can built a Ti bike that's every bit as stiff as alu or carbon, just like you can build carbon or alu bike that's every bit as 'comfortable' as Ti is renowned for being.

You can't build a Ti frame as *light* as a carbon or aluminum bike with the same stiffness. Carbon has the most potential. Stiff and light is ideal for a hill climb.

Sorry, yes - fair comment.

Titanium might be too expensive for a "hobby" build, but you can find some rather cheap chinese frames, but then there is the question of quality. It also seems rather hard to find cheap chinese carbon frames, which leaves aluminium and steel frames, which can be found rather cheap and easy. The steel frames will of course be heavier, but they might also be more comfortable if you choose to use the bike other things than hillclimbing.

Then equip the bike with some lightweight tubular wheels, a track crankset of choice and some other parts and you are good to go.

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Steel, aluminium or carbon track bike, drilled for a front brake.
Low profile tubular rims, something like 28 spoke front and 32 rear.
Run it fixed.

That's a hill climb bike.