TT/Tri groupset options?

[PineappleExpress234]

Hi everyone,

Looking at the groupset options for a tri bike.

I'm a little surprised Ltwoo and Sensah don't have any bar end options for either mech or electronic shifting. What other options do I have if I were to piece together a tri bike?

I've been out of the hobby for a number of years, and I feel like 10-15 years ago there was a greater range of entry level triathlon bikes whereas now it seems all high end. This seems relevant in having very limited options for bar end shifters where 105 has nlno provisions for satellite shifters.

Has anyone built a cheapy trip bike? Or is entirely 2nd hand seemingly my only option unless I spend $5k+ AUD

Cheers

[nickobec]

Microshift do a range  of bar end shifters from 9 to 12 speed. The 12 speed are only compatible with either Shimano or SRAM  MTB RDs. You can get 9,10 and 11  speed shifters compatible with Shimano Road (which means Shimano, Microshift and some Sensah RDs).

10 years ago when I raced TTs, my  TT bike need repairs, instead of stripping the 10 speed DA  group set off it, I used a 2x10 Microshift groupset on a spare road frame, and raced that for a season. The Microshift groupset was a light as DA and I found as reliable to use.

So as long as you are happy with mechanical shifting, you can get a cheap, reliable and light shifting set up.

Brakes, hydraulic TRPs TT HD-T910 will set you back 600AUD or so. Rim brakes are far cheaper, lighter and more aero and would be my choice depending on frame options.

[PineappleExpress234]

Amazing, thank you so much for all that info!

I can't believe there's next to no options for TT disc brakes. The shift to discs is such a shame.

Building up a rim brake TT bike, while cost effective and practical, leaves me with hesitation considering parts
Cheers

[ejump0]

Back in March, i built a Tribike with mechanical gear and mechanical disc
- shimano r7000 RD SS (1x)
- PassQuest aero chainring 54T
- shimano 11-28 / 11-34
- kmc x11-sl chain
- microshift bsa-11 bar-end shifter
- tektro tL720 brake levers with Onirii br05 mech disc caliper

all works well.

However in May this yr, SRAM updated that their AXS system now can work with deraileur directly communicate with blips without the need of RD/FD.
If i understand that correctly, for TT we can run AXS with just blips and RD/FD.
Im not familiar with sram, but the Apex AXS XPLR described to work with Shimano HG cassettes.
Does that mean I can just update my setup above with just Apex XPLR RD and Blips swap (and put shimano 12sp 11-30 cassette)?

[BadIdeasMakeGoodStories]

Amazing, thank you so much for all that info!

I can't believe there's next to no options for TT disc brakes. The shift to discs is such a shame.

Building up a rim brake TT bike, while cost effective and practical, leaves me with hesitation considering parts
Cheers

Jagwire (under the RideRever brand) and TRP both make relatively affordable hydro disc levers while retaining support for basebar shifting. JuinTech, HyRd, and other hydro-mechanical options come in at about half that price again.

Rim remains cheaper overall, but the increased braking performance and ability to share wheels with other road bikes was worth the cost to me.

[merlin]

If i understand that correctly, for TT we can run AXS with just blips and RD/FD.
Im not familiar with sram, but the Apex AXS XPLR described to work with Shimano HG cassettes.
Does that mean I can just update my setup above with just Apex XPLR RD and Blips swap (and put shimano 12sp 11-30 cassette)?

As far as the XPLR RD goes,  SRAM says the XPLR is only compatible with 10-36, 11-44, 10-44 cassettes. You may have issues going down to the 11-30.

May be better off getting a standard Rival AXS rear derailleur which is specced for 30-36T cassettes. If you are in the US, I often see them for significantly cheaper than XPLR RDs.

I use wireless blips on my road bike with aero bars, it's awesome. I just ordered a TT Frame off Ali and plan to move everything over to it. Going to get some ~$150/pair Juin Tech F1 hydro-mech brakes with some $10 levers and use two sets of blips, one pair on the extensions and one on pair on the base bar. Paying $400-500 for SRAM/TRP/RideRever hydraulic bar end brakes.... I can get a set of AXS Force shifters with calipers for that. No thanks.

The force shifters on the road bike are going to a gravel bike. Road frame is going to be sold or live on the trainer. Haven't decided.

EDIT - Apparently I can get RideRevers for $269 a set, that may make them better than the Juin Techs in the long run. Hmm

[Aradell]

I just ordered a TT Frame off Ali and plan to move everything over to it.

What frame did you order? Really curious to get your findings as well. I’ve been debating for quite a while to do a build myself with the Windsports TT-119 or Tantan TT912 based on other threads. But I haven’t dared to pull the trigger yet.

[merlin]

I ordered the TT-119

[merlin]

I ordered some Onirii BR-05, some jagwire compressionless housing, slick brake cables, and some cheap bar end levers. $66 US after tax. Much cheaper than anything fully hydraulic. The calipers are mech hydraulic and I read reviews that they are nearly as good as Juin Tech F1s which should be plenty of breaking power for flat course racing.