What TT aerobars do you use? Why?

[dapperdash]

I have been riding a road bike for a few short years and am interested in doing some Triathlons hopefully by next year with some good training. Anyhow, I have a TT frame and now looking into picking up an aerobar. There are so many on the market that it's hard to determine which is better overall. Did some search online and found a few that looks nice...the Zipp Vuka (but way out of my price range), Oval Concepts JetStream, Easton Attack and Deda AeroBlack.

I live near three LBS and one of them happens to be Performance Bikes and the other two doesn't specialize in Triathlon gear so I can't try them out.

Any advice or suggestions would greatly be appreciated.

[Rahzel]

Choose whatever aerobars has the right feel in your hands. Also, if you're not 100% sure of what you want your position to be, I'd recommend getting some bars that have significant adjustability.

Some more specific things to think about include: ski bends vs. S-bends, aluminum vs carbon, shape of the armrests, length, weight, etc.

I personally use the Oval A700 extensions (single bend) mounted to the Profile T2+ armrests and mounting assembly. I'm not a fan of S-bends, but the mounting assembly that comes with the T2+ bars is hugely adjustable, so it works for me!

[Triguy]

If you don't mind dropping a buck or two or 600, go for these...

http://hedcycling.com/aerobars/vantage-eight.php

Here is why...

Aerodynamic - they are about as aerodynamic as their original one piece. And if you look around you'll find that is probably one of the top three most aerodynamic bars there is.

Adjustable - The pads move forward, backward, in and out, up and down. You can angle your arms and still have the basebar be flat, a la, Floyd, Levi or old down ulrich.

Comfortable - This one goes hand in hand with adjustability. But also, the armrest cups are stiff and hold your arms well. The foam could probably be thicker but I've ridden them up to 80 miles no problem.

Light - Now this is one is tricky. The Easton weighs 420 grams in real life. However, you'll find none of the last two paragraphs apply to the Easton, no adjustability, the armrests are thin and kind of flimsy, but it's pobably close to as aerodynamic.

And if you want to spend a buck or $340 get the Hed fliplites...

http://hedcycling.com/aerobars/fliplite.php

and a Vision Tech alloy basebar

http://www.visiontechusa.com/fly.aspx?layout=product&taxid=189&pid=82

85% of what I said above applies to this combo but its heavier, not quite as aerodynamic but it is fast, adjustable, and fairly light.

All in all there is not an clipon aerobar on the market I'd put anywhere near the Hed fliplites. They have a low frontal area and are oh so adjustable. They take everything thats great about the Profile Design T2+, you can get them with single bend extensions standard(saves you $40), but it's way lighter and I think simpler. Can you tell I love the fliplites? They are my favorite piece of tri equipment to date.

In case you're wondering I've also used, Profile Design aerolites, T2+ and Visiontech clip ons. Profiles are okay. Visiontechs are good, but you still have to get the right size, they have the worst s-bend shape I've ever seen however, they also are just a little sloppy in terms of Frontal area.

[cslone]

Hed one piece. Because they sponsor our team and that's what came in the mail. :D

[Psydotek]

Profile Design T2+

Why? The elbow pads can be adjusted fore/aft which is extremely useful when using it on a road bike. Most clip on aerobars have the elbow pads fixed directly above the handlebars which may be too far forward for most people on regular road frame geometry. The T2+ bars lets me move the elbow pads back alot further so i'm not stretched out too far when using them.

[bcart1991]

Profile bullhorn base bar, Syntace single-bend extensions.

They were cheap.

[^*^BATMAN^*^]

This is what I ride.
http://www.profile-design.com/products/aerobars/carbon-x-15/
Its comfortable for me, and the fact that I picked it up off a pro that did one tunnel sesision on it for $60 didnt hurt at all.

[dapperdash]

Thanks for the input everyone. I actually did a search online and there's a triathlon superstore 50 miles from where I live. I guess it will be worth driving that far to try some of these aerobar recommendations.

[bvfrompc]

Vision tech, because they look good and aren't that expensive.

That and the only other bars I have used were Profiles and I hated their forearm pads.

[bburrito]

Im going to echo what BV said about the profile bars. I got a set for $30 out the door so I can't complain too much but he is right in that their armpads leave a lot to be desired. They are bolted to metal wings that are just not strong enough. It could be that they are not meant for a 270 lb rider, but mine are bent all the way down to the base bar. :eek:

[carbonjockey]

full syntace: not too expensive and fairly comfortable: i

[tasr]

I have PZ Racing AE 5.0 aero bars. Not the top of the line bars but work well for me. I only paid $66.00 new with shipping. Cost was the main reason. I figured if I try them and really don’t like them I can always get something else. Then just sell these a recoup some money.

http://www.pzracing.com/multisport_pop/aerobar_pop.jpg

[Odd1586]

I have ridden two different base bars (The generic one specilized has, and I'm now on the Vision alloy base). I like the vision alloy base, the only problem is that your hand position on the bull-horn is fairly limited due to the horizontal depth of the "winged" portion. I ride with their alloy extentions that hafe about a 45 degree bend, and do so because they are the absolute best ergonomic fit I have come across yet (the vision extensions are the 4th set of extentions I have run, and found them to have more than enough adjustability to get me in just the right position). I also like them because they are so comfortable in my relatively wide arm position (I have pretty wide shoulders, and I have decided to run the deepest aero-section rim possible for all long distance events, so I figure the aero compromise is an acceptable tradeoff since I'll get back what I lose in the wheels, plus my shoulders and back will be a lot more relaxed).

Plus, my vision alloy setup is actually lighter than the profile extentions I rode--including the T2's (note:the CSX's would be lighter, but they don't have anywhere near the adjustability, so I still think the vision alloy is a superior product--for my situation).

[caloso]

Profile bullhorn base bar, Syntace single-bend extensions.

They were cheap.

That's my setup. And my reason too.