So I'm thinking of putting aero bars on my cross bike (2006 Trek X01), but have absolutely no experience with them. The only reason why I want to is because as I ride, I find myself wanting to go into the aero position more often, and going down to the full drop on the bars is further than I'd like to go (want that in between area). My usual ride of late takes me about 10 miles through trails and off road, then on road for about 10-20 miles... on road I basically want to sprint and get some good speed. With each ride I get a good combo of trails, gravel, dirt, ie... MTB riding (the fun stuff), then include a solid endurance/speed/road (the exercise stuff) in at the same time.
I'm looking at the Profile Design Air Stryke bars, for the only reason that the pads flip up on springs so you have access to the top of the handlebars (also where my more often used break levers like to hang out)... any suggestions? any other brands/models? Most bars seem to cover up that whole area which would seem to be a burden for a cross bike with brakes up top.
Thanks for any help/ideas..
-Steve
ibrown
10-13-05, 02:41 PM
In general aero bars will put you in an even lower position than the drops. That is their purpose- to keep as much of you out of the wind drag. Is your stem flipped? How many spacers do you have under your stem? If it is upright(the stem), then I would flip it, giving your position on the hoods a more aero position.
HexHead
10-15-05, 03:47 PM
Do you race? Keep in mind that you aero bars are not allowed in races.
Hex
jpearl
10-15-05, 07:15 PM
I wouldn't ride full-on aero bars off road. Not only could they block your view of what's immediately in front of your wheel at the last second, they can also add cumbersome wieght to the fron of your bike on trails that tend to throw around a bike's front end. In stead, see if you can find some of those minimalist aero bars that pro roadies used on thier bikes prior to being banned by the UCI.
DrDuktayp
10-17-05, 09:26 PM
I tried aero bars on a road bike and after using them for a week or so I removed them. I did like them on long straight flat stretches.
DrDuktayp
Elvish Legion
10-18-05, 01:01 AM
You do know you can't handle worth a damn in the aeros right?
SAB
10-18-05, 06:32 AM
If you are doing road riding, especially alone - time trial style - aero bars are OK. You can't use them in mass start road races and you certainly shouldn't use them riding off road. Also most club rides don't really like them either, do to the limitations they put on bike handling. They are indeed designed to put you into a very low position and sometimes lead to neck pain, low back pain, and fatigued upper arms. If your drops are uncomfortable, try adjusting your stem/handlebars first. Perhaps you need a shorter stem with the bars up a little higher? In short, I wouldn't use aero bars for strictly comfort reasons.
huhenio
10-18-05, 12:59 PM
Aero bars would probably hang on your garage/shed if you dont do long distances.
Good for TT and ultracycling, bad for offroad and maneuverability.
It took me a long time to learn to use them, and they are hanging on the wall now.
Need to get on the trail on the Fixgear with aero bars and bomb to see how it goes.
grahny
10-19-05, 07:59 PM
yeah, not for offroad, that wasn't the intent at all, just the long road stretches as I find that I tense my upper body more using the drops and would think that aero bars would help force me to relax the upper body... maybe not... research from the experience of the user community is all I'm looking for, so thanks. I may try messing with the stem position and handlebar height and see what becomes of it.
I don't race and don't do club rides so that's not an issue... I ride purely for enjoyment, speed, exercise and time to zone out and clear my thoughts... no competition necessary... ok, that's a lie.. I compete against myself constantly :)