Touring - Aero bars?

Does anyone tour with aero bars? I know they are not common, but after spending a few days fighting blistering wind, I can't help but wonder if they would make a difference. I'm not concerned with going fast; just something that will make the wind easier to bear. It would also provide an extra hand position.

On the other hand, a fully-loaded tourer might be too unstable in aerobar position. They would also impede access to handlebar bags...

Last year I had to face 35Kph headwinds and I needed to reach the destination. The blistering sun was all over me, and there were hardly any place to rest by the road. No shades, not even a grass patch to sit on. That went on for 6 hours. Very tough.

I swore to get aerobars this time whatever the cost. I have been using them almost exclusively now. They are soooo comfortable, especially when it supports your upper body weight on the elbow instead of the hands. I have some videos of me using it here (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=98521).

They do block access to the handlebar bag. But that's just a small price to pay :D

Yes, aero bars. They're actually comfortable if don't get a set up that's too aggressive. It's really nice to take the pressure off your hands for awhile. Some of them can't be mounted along with a handlebar bag. I found them stable even with a fully loaded touring bike, but then I don't sit in the aero position unless the road is pretty mellow. I know it looks silly and people will laugh to see a fully loaded bike with aero bars, but, man, they're a big help in the wind and when your hands begins to hurt. Sometimes, you might feel like you could even nap in that aero position.

Can they be mounted onto flat bars?

I have toured with aerobars for 11 years, and would find it difficult to be without them. In fact, aerobars saved my touring career. In the early-1990s I developed repetitive strain injuries (from overusing computer keyboards and excessive musical instrument use). As a result, some of my muscles fatigue very quickly; my ability to grip handlebars for long periods has been especially compromised — probably permanently. For several years I was only able to take short trips; but as soon as I installed aerobars, I was able to resume long-distance touring. Aerobars gave me a new and efficient riding position, and a way to rest my hands. They are also great for climbing and riding into headwinds.

Aerobars definitely attract attention on a touring bicycle. The middle cow in this photograph was very intrigued!

Alan

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=16387

Lol, great pic :D

Flat bars? Here's how mine's mounted:

Thanks for teh advice; I'll give them a shot.

Perhaps cycletourists should remember that originally aerobars were invented FOR cycletourists! They were then taken over by triathletes and others. They do offer advantages for those using flats as opposed to drops by offering a position to cheat the wind. Again by using the rests the neck and upper back muscles are given a chance to relax.

onbike 1939, Perhaps you could educate us... I thought the legend spoke of Scott developing them for Greg Lemond in the Tour de France when he broke the time trial record and won the Tour. I do remember buying an early pair that was sold with two versions... one for racers and one for tourist that were wider and cheaper (they were neon yellow too). But I was under the impression that Lemond was the driving force.
Regardless, they sould be on touring bikes as well.

So how about some recomendations for durable, low cost, comfortable aero bars, as opposed to flimsy, light, radical racing aero bars. I was thinking of using a set on a flat double century this summer. (one real hill and a few rollers, the rest is nearly flat)

I have Profile Air Strykes. The arm cup mechanisms are spring-loaded, so they flip up when you are not using the aero bars. That allows another hand position.

Some people complain that the Air Strykes rattle a little when not in use, especially when riding on rough surfaces. For me, comfort trumps noise.

onbike 1939, Perhaps you could educate us... I thought the legend spoke of Scott developing them for Greg Lemond in the Tour de France when he broke the time trial record and won the Tour. I do remember buying an early pair that was sold with two versions... one for racers and one for tourist that were wider and cheaper (they were neon yellow too). But I was under the impression that Lemond was the driving force.
Regardless, they sould be on touring bikes as well.

My info is that they were invented much earlier than this by the pioneers of mountain biking in California and were originally intended for tourists. Only later were they used by racing men. I'd love to know for certain.

Who cares what it looks like? If you're focusing at all on what other people think of you, then you're not focusing enough on biking.

I'll take ANY practical idea over a cosmetic one any day.

And if anyone doesn't like my personal preferences and choices, I'll tuck into the aero position and they can kiss away at my rear!!!

The bars will be my next purchase. Thanks for the videos and the opinions! =)

Aerobars definitely attract attention on a touring bicycle. The middle cow in this photograph was very intrigued!

Alan

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=16387

aww! I have this stupid thing for cows.... maybe it's their 8 stomaches (sp?).

MOO! *calling phantom cow*

way124....

Cool video! What kind of bike do you have? Any pics?

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=25775

Department store, with stock components. Little wonder it slowly but surely fell apart along the way :D

way124,
what is the box-ish gray think mounted on your bike?
Camera Mount?
thanks for the view
ed

Yeah, it's a camera mount. The gray colour is actually a waterproof coat I put on from excess acrylic. It looks like this: http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=20822

way124,

In your videos is your comp set to kph or mph?

Kph :D

I used Syntace C2s. I loved them. You can get 1" extenders at Nashbar for supercheap which I'd also recommend; more upright position and room to still mount a handlebar bag.

The only drawback about the C2s is that I mounted the shifters out on top, rather than on the drops as I should've. (Hell, should've just gone on the downtube, how often do you really shift touring?)

I've got a Riv Hobo Bag on this. While I did eventually swing it around back underneath the seat/on the rear rack, I never had any problems with this way aside from a little flakiness when descending faster than I'd should've been.


So yes. Aerobars rule.

Can they be mounted onto flat bars?

I have done just this, and now that I know how to use them, can COMPLETELY tell the difference in headwinds and straightaways. I have shaved 5 minutes off my commute.

Basic ignorance question. With aero bars, do your shifters and brake controls move to the bars or are you always watching for the time you have to get off cruise control and ride?

Normally you wouldn't move anything. I'm considering installing a set of aerobars we have laying around on my roadbike, I'll prolly move the computer to the bars if I do that. But not the brakes or shifters. Note that Matt Brown above did move his shifters to the aeros.

I have seen shifters on aerobars, but never brakes levers.

The "problem" with having the shifters out on the bars is that while it's perfect when you're laid flat, from any other position you have to kinda reeeach for em. I developed a little bit of numbness in my right hand (granted, about a month in) from just putting that little bit of weight on the bar when I shifted.

I also met a guy who toured with his brake levers out on the bars. He had some of the older straight Profiles, and I think he had MTB levers out there and some interrupters on the flats. Swore by it. I think it'd drive me batty.

Diff'rent strokes and all....

For those still interested, here's what Sheldon Brown's website had to say about the history of Aero Bars:

"Æro bars originated from an attempt to duplicate the "tuck" of a downhill skiier. They first appeared in 1986 when Pete Penseyres introduced them in the Race Across America (RAAM).

Although they were an instant hit with triathletes and time-trialists, professional racers were slow to accept this innovation. When Greg Lemond rode Scott æro clip-ons to victory in the decisive final time trial of the 1989 Tour de France, the ice was broken, and few racers will now ride time-trial stages without them. Although æro bars originated as racing equipment, and are particularly associated with triathlons, they have also become quite popular with touring cyclists and randonneurs, as much for the relief that they give to the hands and wrists as for their ærodynamic qualities. "

I would somehow expect aerobars to have been developped independently by touring cyclists all over the place. It seems to me like it's a natural position to have if you're going to ride 8 hours a day for 2 months. Maybe the 1986 RAAM was the first time they made it to a greater event.