Triathlon - aero bars on carbon s-works handlebar?

I made a post in the roadbike section and decided that was probably not the best spot. I was not sure how to redirect it so I am reposting. Does anyone know if Specialized approves the use of aero bars with the s-works carbon handlebars? If so, any particular brand? Thanks for your input.

I saw your post over on roadie section too, I thought I'd give my $.02. We could get into all kinds of characterisitc differences between carbon and aluminum bars, but it would all be purely speculation. I doubt if Specialized has anything in writing about clip-ons with their carbon bars. The bottom line? Clip'em on and use them. They will perform just fine with no ill effects to the handlebar.

I made a post in the roadbike section and decided that was probably not the best spot. I was not sure how to redirect it so I am reposting. Does anyone know if Specialized approves the use of aero bars with the s-works carbon handlebars? If so, any particular brand? Thanks for your input.

Rather than relying on our speculation (nothing mentioned about aerobars on the Specialized site that I could find for you), try one of the following:

From the Specialized contact us page -

feel free to drop us a line at customerservice@specialized.com, call our main switchboard at (408) 779-6229, or go the old-fashioned route by mailing to:

Specialized Bicycle Components
15130 Concord Circle
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
United States of America

Best of luck! Personally I would be surprised if they recommend using Aerobars...

Please post back when you get the answer.

Customer service at Specialized says NO to using aero bars with their carbon handlebars. I am disappointed but a little speed is not worth saftey at high speed on a bike. Guess I need to look for some new handlebars. Thanks to those who replied.

Thanks for the update, sorry to hear though it's not recommended...

I am not surprised, some aerobars can be clipped onto the stem, but they're rare and they probably cost more than a good aluminum bar like Ritchey WCS($60) and shortie aeros like visions($75).

So far as I know, if you want carbon aerobars on carbon handlebars, the only combination I know of that a vendor will publically support is the Easton EC-90 carbon handlebars coupled with their carbon aero bars; I've had this combo on my Soloist for several years now without incident. Even their oversized version of the EC-90 road bars they list won't work.

I noticed Zipp now makes a nice carbon handlebar aero bar combo. Looks like I'm going with alloy though.

^^^ What Zipp handlebar/aero bar combo are you talking about? I just went to their site and didn't see one...

The SLC2 says it will handle clip ons but I can not find the aero bar by Zipp. I could have sworn I saw a picture that included the clip ons by Zipp also, but it may have been the handlebars with another brand of clip on.

The Zipp handlebar and aero bar combo are on the new products page of the new Excel mag. That is the only place I have been able to find them including the Excel website.

the Pedalsoft T3 System ($369) clams onto your stem, not your bar, so you can throw the carbon bar issue out the window with them. i went on their website, and couldn't find a link to click about them, but they're shown in the new issue of Triathlete magazine in thier 2006 High Tech Gear Guide. look into them...

i would personally never use clip-on's with carbon bars...

Schmolke make a carbon bar that does take a clip on aero bar. They are very light, very strong , and youv'e guessed - very expensive. But they are a very nice bar. They are only made to order and take about 6-8 weeks