Argon 18 E117 TT Build

[timmerrr]

Custom build number 4 for me!

I had the pleasure of a team mate loaning me his rim brake Shiv TT for 2 season and have really enjoyed the technical side of time trialing.

After last season, I gave the bike back and found a used Ali Express special for super cheap. I got that bike rolling for a few bucks with spare parts I had laying around.

TT 2.jpg (78.32 KiB) Viewed 1640 times

Fast forward to this winter, my team was granted status that allows us access to the professional National Championships. This, coupled with some financial good luck, had me searching for a UCI legal frame for the 2024 season. I found a shop down in Florida selling Argon 18 E117 frames for a better deal that most used frames I was finding online. This bike is pretty much exactly what I was looking for. No integrated or proprietary front end parts, disc brakes, and UCI legal. I am still playing around a lot with my front end fit, so being able to use what ever stem length, base bar, and extensions I want is nice.

Currently planning to run this Ali Express cockpit set up, a CLX 64 front wheel, new Vittoria Corsa Pro Speeds, Sram Rival RD, AXS wireless blips hacked to work with no shifters in the system, TRP mechanical disc brakes with no name levers, 165mm Ali Express crank paired to a 56T direct mount aero chainring, Shimano 11-30 cassette and some form of a disc rear wheel.

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Should be a solid upgrade, especially on the rolling resistance front, moving from 23mm tubulars on the old bike. I have mached up the bike for the pic above but will be tearing everything down and try and grab as many individual weights as possible through the process!

[wheelbuilder]

Nice. Fun project.

[timmerrr]

Not bad for a colorful and gloss TT frame!

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Building this gave me some motivation to clean up the work bench a bit.

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Still waiting on the crank and blips. Apparently SRAM decided to remodel their warehouse and miss placed the blips our team's shop ordered for me. Hoping to get this together and on the road by the end of the week!

Side note. Be careful of the branding on your AliExpress parts

[timmerrr]

And the (almost) finished product!

Unfortunantly the extensions aren't going to work for me. the arm piece isn't long enough. So i will be going back to the Sync extensions and Aerocoach cups I had on the Shiv. I also have a rear disc on the way, fingers crossed it comes out alright. I have heard some not so great stories about discs bought from D2C brands from the far east.

[timmerrr]

And the finished product!

CarbonBeam Lenticular Rear Disc (28mm external 21mm internal)
58T AluGear Direct Mount Chainring
Generic forearm rest extensions (Sync were too tall, thanks UCI fun police)

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Disc 1.jpg (70.38 KiB) Viewed 998 times

Ive got all the kit, now its time to back it up with some training! All in I spent about $3000

[djel]

I don't know much about TT bikes, but that looks like a solid build for 3k! How's the ride?

[timmerrr]

Finished everything up with new extensions and am back on the Dash Saddle after a fitting. UCI CAT2 for height with the reach maxed out, saddle exactly 5cm behind the BB. I am for sure not in as aggressive of a position as the Shiv I was borrowing, but I am within 2% of my road bike power, where before it was almost 10% off. Bike rides really smooth, probably mostly because of the 28mm veloflex corsa on the disc right now. Still no idea as to if it is actually fast. The weather here isn't warm enough fo summer kit. I did do a 30 minute effort and averaged 27mph in a road helmet and winter jacket at 320W. Hoping this translates to close to 30mph with all the kit on. I have a spesh TT5, long sleeve TT suit (no pockets, not just jersey sewn into bibs, proper speed suit), aero base layer, Rule 28 overshoes & gloves, a CLX64 front wheel and Vittoria Corsa Pro Speed tires for race season.