Road Cycling - Anyone use aero bars outside of time trials?

Thought about purchasing some aero bars, I do a few time trials during the summer, but that alone doesnt justify the purchase. Does anyone use them on regular rides at all, or are they a pain to set up. What are some good models to look for? thanks

I don't, but would say more than % 50 of the road riders I see use them.

I have aero bars on both of my road bikes (LeMond bars on my older Cannondale and Profile Century aerobars on my Trek 2200). I ride for recreation and fitness, average 25-30 miles per ride. I'm not blazingly fast (15-16 mph average for rolling terrain). (As a side note, I'm also not all that young!) I like the aero bars for a change in position when riding on flat terrain (somewhere around 20 mph, maybe a little faster) or into the wind. The extra position gives my hands a break and makes things more interesting. Bottom line - aero bars are useful even if you don't ride 30 mph time trials. You might want to try before you buy. Bike handling with the aero bars is a bit different than you're used to.

I have one bike and therefore one choice of handlebar. I have profile 1s and like them very much. The only thing I don't like about aero bars is having elbow pads where you like to hold on in uphill rides. But I just hold on to the pads, so no big deal. Aero bars really help when you get those nasty headwinds. I'd be stuck at 16-17 in a headwind, but can usually crack 19-20 when in aero position. If you have a big gut, you may find it harder to use the aero bars since the fat will push up against your lungs more and actually work to your detriment. This to me was a good reason to lose my gut (I still have a little work to do on this front :D ) , so I'm ok now with it.

I've got aerobars on both my hybrid (take that D*Alex!) and my road bike.

When I commute at least half of it is on the highway, and the bars help when I'm in cruise for the reasons others have mentioned.

I have them on the road bike for the same reason even though I don't compete. Example on the recent MS150, 84km each way, it was nice to have a different position to go down into. On the road bike I have the Profile model with the flip up pads, so they don't get in the way when I'm not using them.

I see a lot of people here that have them on MTB's and hybrids they use for commuting, probably because we have a lot of flat, long stretches with lots of wind.

I trried some budget profile bars a while ago and I couldn't get the things tight enough. Very annoying.

I also found that its very tricky cycling with your hands so close to the central axis of the bike. And shifting is out of the question unless you have a sexy dual setup with shifters on the aerobars.

So you can really only get down on them when you have a long stretch of road when you don't plan to shift or steer too much.

Which is not my daily commute.

On the other hand, the long sdistance rides I've been doing really hammered my back and shoulders and hands & I'd have paid good money for an alternate riding position. So I reckon I'll put areo bars back on, but go for a good expensive set.

You get what you pay for.

Stew

I use them all the time on my rides but then again I am training for triathlons where they are legal to use. I like them and find that they are invaluable in a strong headwind and just plain aero anytime.

Keep in mind that they do not provide as much control as being on the hoods or in the drops so get used to them before you start pouring on the gas.

Thanks for all the replies. Thinking about a pair of airstyke profiles, that have the flip up pads, any insight on those?

Those are the same one that I have and I like them a lot. It's really nice to have them flip up out of your way when you don't want them and then you can still get to the top bars for easy riding.

aren't there some out there that have a quick release so you can clip them off when you don't want them around?

Where are they not legal to use? I've never done any centuries, club rides etc.... Should I beware of anything?

Originally posted by flyefisher
Where are they not legal to use? I've never done any centuries, club rides etc.... Should I beware of anything?

The UCI forbids the use of aero bars outside of time trials

Originally posted by flyefisher
Where are they not legal to use? I've never done any centuries, club rides etc.... Should I beware of anything?

They are banned in mass start competitions. So, if you are in a race, other than a time trial, no aero bars.

For club rides, centuries, etc. they are perfectly acceptable BUT it is considered bad form (if not dangerous) to USE your aero bars when riding in a bunch or a paceline.

I use my aero bars when practical, and this sometimes includes city traffic. I get a speed increase of about 2mph from them at ~20mph. I have a pair of Syntace C2's (size large), one of the few things I salvaged after my road bike was hit by a car.

Have they fixed the rattling problem with the flip-up armrests on the Profiles, by the way?

No, they certainly haven't fixed the rattling problem with the flip up pads! That's the only thing that I don't like about them, I like to have a nice quiet running bike, and on rough pavement they rattle like crazy.

I've had the flip up pads on the aero bars fall off twice during transit. I mean the whole piece. the pins work loose and they fall off. So, I purchased the stationary bars.

I find aero bars very useful when on long rides or when it is windy. I started using them in South Texas. That is very windy country
Bob

Have Profile aerobars on both road bikes. As several others have pointed out, they are good for changing position, beating headwinds, requiring care in handling. I have a bit of chronic back problem that would suffer greatly on long (50+mi) rides that I enjoy doing, organized or not. The aero bars make those distances very tolerable, and generally, when safe, using them adds 10 - 20% to my average speeds. Bottom line, the limitations & concerns have been highlighted very well, but the advantages make them a great addition to th bike.

Originally posted by PAlt
Have Profile aerobars on both road bikes. As several others have pointed out, they are good for changing position, beating headwinds, requiring care in handling. I have a bit of chronic back problem that would suffer greatly on long (50+mi) rides that I enjoy doing, organized or not. The aero bars make those distances very tolerable, and generally, when safe, using them adds 10 - 20% to my average speeds. Bottom line, the limitations & concerns have been highlighted very well, but the advantages make them a great addition to th bike.

Wow, the more I read, the more I want a pair. Sooooo, what is a good brand/model to buy?? I'd like something lightweight and quality made. Thoughts???

ThanX!!

I'd say the Airstrike Profiles, even with the rattling problem. It's nice to get the pads out of the way when you're not using them, and they only rattle on rough pavement.

One thing you might have a problem with is space on your bars for computer, lights etc. with the aero's on. They sell a device to go on the aerobars to put your computer on (for a ridiculous price), but you can probably make something up yourself.