Mountain Biking - Aero bars?

Guys, seen people putting aero bars on their mountain bikes?
I've definitely seen a guy, I think he is kinda crazy as I don't see the need for it. Aero bars should be more used on road bikes as the speeds are higher and require them for aerodynamic efficiency. What are your opinions on aero bars on mountain bikes?

Seen it quite a bit. Of course, they also have slicks on their bikes, and I'm sure they're never taken off road. So for these people, why not?

I've also seen adventure racers put them on. They have to ride through various terrains and often are simply just cruising down a road. For them it makes sense.

For a XC racer or a recreational rider it's just added weight and kinda silly!

L8R

Quite a few people use lightweight MTBs with slicks on long endurance rides or tours. Aerobars are a great way of relieving stress on your hands, as well as staying comfortable whilst being aerodynamic. You always have to be down low to take advantage of aerobars.

for normal riding around, and off roading, I prefer barends, they help relieve the hands, and I have them set about 1 inch away from my wrist, it helps remind me not to get too far forward when I downhill. I think it gives me added stability too, does nothing for aero though.

I just got some aerobars for my cannondale hardtail that I'm using for my tour. After my tour around S. FL, my palms are still red from the pressure and I can't seem to completely avoid the numbness. So for me, putting as many different positions on the handlebar as possible seems like the best way to combat this problem.

As for the mtb. I think they are a more comfortable, however less efficent, alternative to road or touring bikes for a long distance tour.

Peace,

Dave

Oh, the joy of Areobars,

Back in the day when Ned Overend used a set of Profile areo-type bars in his victory in the 1990 (?) World MTB championships, I though...ohhh, I'll have some of that, and got a set for my Trek.

On the road, they were pretty cool, nice low tuck and quite comfy, but going cross country, I only ever used them as bar end extentions and never the areo tuck **shudders at the danger of using the areotuck downhill**....they weighed a ton too!

Rich :p

I just got some of these. Like I said, I need them for changing up hand positions and preventing numbness.

One gripe, well, I have two. One is that I have to rearrange my handle bar bag and slant it downwards so the aerobars fit properly. Now my bag isn't as accessable as it used to be. So that sucks.
Second is these things are difficult to adjust. But I'm sure I'll find the correct positioning soon.

The first gripe is my major concern. Other aerobars were options but one model couldn't be spaced so that I could move the bars outward to avoid the handlebar bag, and the other model seemed to be made for thicker handlebars.

Pic: My bike now looks like an insect!

Looks like a great set up...must make the road rides a little easier :)

Rich

Well, we'll see how they do today...


Dave

after seeing this thread it got me thinking of aerobars on my bike...i spend more time on paved trials than i do off road and i will not be getting a road bike untill this winter...any ideas on which bars to get? i was at performance today i like profiles airstryke and airlite.