Triathlon - aero bar advice needed for tri beginner

Hi all! Still, getting ready to train for my first Tri (SERIOUSLY delayed this season by a move followed by an injury) and I would like to develop an aero position during the fall and winter. I'll basically be using a road bike with an aero down tube. I've got a shoestring budget, and have basically narrowed it down to two seeminly similar bars. Performance has there own brand, the Forte T2, as well as Profile Design's entry level century bar. Both are around $50.00

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=19426&item=50-2751&slitrk=search&slisearch=true

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/Profile.cfm?SKU=6491&item=50-0371&slitrk=search&slisearch=true

I know, the airstryke looks really nice and is even adjustable, but is also past my bike budget. Do any of you have experience with these bars? Advice? Thanks!

Hi Plainsman:

I've had a set of those Profile aerobars. My problem with them is that because they're a one-piece design, they are not very adjustable. I think the pads can be moved in and out, but not by much. And you can't do anything about how far apart your hands will be.

But if they fit you, then you're golden and it's a very good buy for the money. If they don't fit you, they're a waste and they'll end up in a spare parts bin like mine did.

As caloso mentions, fit is key here. If either of these bars stretch you out too much (a common problem with aerobars on road bikes), then you can get a shorter stem to compensate, but that blows your budget constraints anyway.

If you have a decent tri bike shop in your area, I'd go in and explain what you want to do. They should be able to determine what the right distance from saddle to aerobar ends is based on your particular body dimensions.

Then again, maybe you've already done this. How did you narrow your aerobar choices down to the two you mention?

Plainsman,

Better late than never! I was in the same predicament you are in a few months back. I ended getting the Profile Design Jammer GT instead for around $60 online. The Jammer allows adjustments on all axies and you can adjust the width between the two bars.

Good luck on your Tri!

To be honest, my research has been very unscientific. I settled on those two bars because they were in the budget. I'm not planning on becoming a serious triathlete, it's just a fitness/personal accomplishment goal right now. I'll probably still do more distance riding than timed events. I thought those bars might also be nice if I do a century, just to have some more hand position options.

The fit thing does concern me. I tend to have the opposite problem than most though. My arms are very long, and I can get sort of cramped up.

I thought those bars might also be nice if I do a century, just to have some more hand position options.

The fit thing does concern me. I tend to have the opposite problem than most though. My arms are very long, and I can get sort of cramped up.

When I went through the fits for both my bikes the geometric relationships the fitters were looking for were upper arms close to vertical and close to a 90 degree angle between the upper arms and the torso. As a result, my elbows are on the aerobar pads and my upper body weight is directed pretty much straight down into the pads, allowing me to rest in this position. From what I have read, significant deviation from these relationships reduces the amount of skeletal support for the weight and increasingly engages the back and neck muscles for support. These usually fatigue after a while, leading to discomfort during and after the ride. If you are thinking of doing century-length rides, 5-7 hours is a long time to be in an uncomfortable position.

[QUOTE=chrisesposito]When I went through the fits for both my bikes the geometric relationships the fitters were looking for were upper arms close to vertical and close to a 90 degree angle between the upper arms and the torso. As a result, my elbows are on the aerobar pads and my upper body weight is directed pretty much straight down into the pads, allowing me to rest in this position.QUOTE]

Two comments:
1. Nice bikes! :)
2. I really appreciate the info on fit. I've only had one professional fit ever (a good experience), and that was for my road bike. I guess I'll wait until I can try out some bars before I buy them. I'm still putting this bike together, so I don't have a feel for how it will, well, feel, although I've tried to mimick the geometry of my current bike as closely as possible.

Maybe check ebay if you want cheap that is the way to go. Back when I was trying to convert my road bike to a Tri bike I bought cowhorns and aerobars for only 40 bux and they were decent Syntace bars.

Plainsman,

Better late than never! I was in the same predicament you are in a few months back. I ended getting the Profile Design Jammer GT instead for around $60 online. The Jammer allows adjustments on all axies and you can adjust the width between the two bars.

Good luck on your Tri!

I've been checking into the Jammer GT. So the purpose of these is specifically to get an aero position on a standard road bike? Might be just what the doctor ordered. Now to find a good deal...

I've been checking into the Jammer GT. So the purpose of these is specifically to get an aero position on a standard road bike? Might be just what the doctor ordered. Now to find a good deal...

The Jammer will not completely get you to that ideal aero position that a specific tri bike will do, but I found it to be a good compromised since I only have a road bike. Personally, I found it to give a riding position that allows me to rest my upper body on the arm pads during my tri/training. Plus it allows you to keep your road biking position without having to readjust everything if you take the bars off.

I think I've decided that's the way I want to go. Now I just have to pull the trigger. I think I should probably wait until the build is finished though (hopefully very soon!), just to be sure the Jammer will be long enough. I may have mentioned before, my arms are a little on the long side. Thanks All!