Triathlon - Aerobars VS. Drops

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ljrichar

08-13-06, 11:35 AM

A little background, a have a road bike that I use for group rides as well as sprint/oly distance triathlons. I'm looking to get more aero. So here's the question...

On a road bike, how much more aerodynamic is a rider using clip-on aerobars compared to when riding in drops? Any guesses? And secondly, does the advantage make it worth getting clip-on aerobars for a road bike?

Jstyle

08-14-06, 09:56 AM

Now I don't have any wind tunnel testing numbers or anything like that but it makes a good bit of difference. I came from a road bike and ridding ALWAYS in the drops. When I say always I mean always if I got out of the drops for a total of 5 minutes on a 2 hr ride that would be a record for me. However the aero just feels so much better and faster. I think it's at least partially due to the throwing you forward body posistion.

kmkurdone

08-14-06, 12:44 PM

Well, I don't know which would be more aero but I do know for me personally, that I am able to relax much easier on bars than in the drops. It just feels more comfortable. Maybe that's just me though....:)

SesameCrunch

08-16-06, 09:50 AM

My experience with aerobars in Centuries and in triathlons is that I get anywhere from .5 to 1.0 mph faster in them. They are very good useful in my opinion for speed and comfort. Remember that you have to adjust your seat forward when using them in order to get the maximum power.