Time Trial Super Bike VS Budget TT Bike | GCN Tech's Aero Showdown

After weeks of tinkering away and scouring the internet for the cheapest aero components he can get his hands on, Ollie's budget TT bike is finally complete. He's optimised his tyres and drivetrain, fine tuned his position, and even made his own disc wheel to make this sub £1000 build as fast as possible. But, how fast will it be compared to his £10,000 Orbea super bike? You'll have to watch to find out!

#Cycling #GCN #GCNTech #RoadBike

Have you enjoyed watching Ollie build his budget TT Bike? Would you try to make one yourself? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

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[antoinekrummenacker]

I think it would make more sense to compare it to a normal road bike with clip-on aero bars ; it is quite obvious that the superbike is faster than the budget, but I don't think it is the real issue, since people won't really hesitate between a 1000 and a 10000 pounds bike, rather between a 1000 pounds bike or a better all-rounder with clip-on aero bars ... Maybe a test against a Canyon Aeroad with aero-bars ?

[jimonhisbike]

I love how Oli gives the distance in miles, but speed in kilometres.

[DHGV]

I'm curious to know how much of a difference that disc wheel actually makes on the course.

[jonburnell]

The Cervelo looks amazing, I absolutely love it. I'm also quite surprised by the relatively small time difference. Great series mate 👍

[I_Echion]

Now Im curious how the cervelo compares to a normal mid-range roadbike.

[davidorvis]

Good work Oli... The P1 is an awesome bike. My friend found one for about $250 and he got it and worked on it for a bit and when he started riding it he got into some races and he was number 2 in the state for his age group. He has since changed his TT bike to a Giant and sold me the P1. I lucked out and I've done a few rides on it and it is just awesome. Bike on folks.

[mellowcat]

Great series! I love my old tri/TT bike, a 2006 P2SL. It's plenty fast!

[deanohit]

While I'm a die hard MTBer who's never ridden a road bike, these sorts of challenges are the very reason I'm subscribed to GCN Tech.
Yet another brilliant series 🤘

[tom_s]

Nicely done. I really enjoyed watching the whole build process. Ollie's smile when he starts riding the Cervelo and everything works is perfect. That's well earned pride in accomplishment.

[Waffle]

I'll like to suggest an additional test for these comparison tests. You can make an effort at say 250W on the premium product, get the time, and try to replicate the time on the more value product and see what the W difference is.

[evelasq]

I am glad that GCN didn’t change the colors and the graphics on the bike and the bike looks great. Both bikes performed nearly equally.

[thelionskiln]

Just bought myself a budget tt bike shopping around used sites, landed a 2011 Felt B14 . Love this comparison. Cheers from Canada.

[williamoftexas]

Wonderful series and I'm I impressed by Ollie's trackstands. I built a budget criterium racer in part due to the inspiration of this series. 1st gen TCR frameset with 105 components and extras i had in my garage. 17.09 lbs.

[shanestewart]

Best and most interesting video on cycling I have ever seen. Wow Ollie, you have inspired me

[EMSEDUkr]

Well done Ollie! That’s the joy of cycling… building up a custom bike with the components & specs you like. Very good comparison. I’m sure the time gap would have been slightly closer if the Cervelo was a carbon frame. When you consider the money spent on the build vs the modern bike, the build proves to have extra value with such a close time. I think it would be fun to showcase your favorite built-up bikes & hear why you enjoyed them. Ride On! LVCervelo fan!

[olliewatson]

Never done a TT before or ridden with a club - but I've been building a budget TT bike as well (around a Boardman TT 9.2 frame from 2013), and as soon as the club TT scene starts again I can't wait to jump in and see how it goes!

[SamanthaBep]

GCN Presenter Challenge: Win a club 10 on a bike you built

[Hypersonicbiker]

Low handlebar position is priceless. Aerodynamics is important for time trial... Thanks for video.

[bigbroondug]

Enjoyed this series very much. I'd love to see you continuing it, try to close that time gap. Pucker rear disc wheel difference? Did you use the small ring, If not try 1X? Would be great to see you getting closer to the super bike time.

[lfoster]

So to put it in perspective, you got 98.2% of the performance for 10% of the cost. I think you just destroyed the TT bike sales market... Also, position on the Budget fractionally less aero? Could the budget have been closer with the same aero bar set up and hands higher as on the Orbea? I built a new TT bike this year for non-existent races - 10yr old Dalkia frame, running all my kit from the previous road bike with TT cockpit. Total spend so far, just under £300 :-) Basically a frame off eBay and a new chain and some cables. Everything else either transferred or out of the parts box.