Road Cycling - Aero Bars?

I need your suggestions, would you recommend an aero bar for beginner, and if so which one?
Please pro and cons of aero bars.
Thanks in advance.

I need your suggestions, would you recommend an aero bar for beginner, and if so which one?
Please pro and cons of aero bars.
Thanks in advance.
Pro: More Aerodynamic
Con: Less Control

The only uses for aero bars are triathlons and time trials (same thing actually).

Another pro is that you can have another choice of riding posture, when you would like to change after long time in one pattern. This is good when riding long distance (Using aerobar with arms rest on arm pads instead of grasping the handlebar)

just so you know, a lot of roadies -- including myself -- won't ride with guys who use aero bars. nothing personal, but using aerobars is like having a big bushy tail and a craving for nuts.

in my opinion, aerobars only belongs to a time trial bike... there is a big difference between a time trial bike and a regular road bike... time trial bikes usually have shorter top tubes and a steeper seat tube...

Pro: You don't need them.
Con: You don't need them

Alright, I'll be the vioce of dissention. Generally speaking, most riders ride most of the time up on the hoods and not in the drops. Granted I've configured my "road" bike for triathlons, but I still enjoy doing long rides as well, though I'm not terribly sure how you distinguish the ride itself. Anyway, my bike is setup with bullhorns (which pretty much gives the very same position as riding on the hoods) and aerobars which after time and practice, becomes a very comfortable alternative position to ride in. On a 50 mile ride, I'll frequently switch between the two. In a large group ride, no. I wouldn't recommed riding in the aero position, between you and other people and things you can't control, there's arguably a little less stability, nor would I or do I ride aero on more complicated paths (i stay up on the bullhorns-again.. in the exact same position I would be on the hoods of road bars). But by yourself or with a few friends, it's a nice alternative to have, especially heading into the wind.

here's a good read... http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/difference.shtml ... i personally think that aero bars on a "road" bike looks tacky... no... i don't have anything against aero bars, but they need to be on a bike with proper geometry...

Con: You have a lot less control. Besides having your hands far from the levers, your weight is shifted forward. When I have my Trek 5200 in triathlon setup, it takes me a couple rides to get used to the new balance point.

Pro: Speed, speed, speed. For me, 21mph increased to 23.5mph with the same amount of effort over an hour. YMMV, of course.

There is another trend in thinking out there that the more traditional seat tube angles are best for setting up a aero position on the bike.
http://www.timetrial.org/slam.htm
But I agree with everyone else about not using them in groups. Just a little too squirlly in close company.

true, the aero bars give you a little more speed, but when I ride, I want to get a good workout, not just go fast. If you have an open road, you could make some use of the aero bars, but in an urban environment you need to have good control and easy access to the brakes. I won't go so far as saying that I won't ride with someone with aero bars, but when I see someone on the aero bars, I make it a habit of going by them quickly...

here's a good read... http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/difference.shtml ... i personally think that aero bars on a "road" bike looks tacky... no... i don't have anything against aero bars, but they need to be on a bike with proper geometry...

Tacky? Interesting. How so? Besides a steeper seat tube, that you may or may not really want or even work best for your fit, what's the difference?

seat tube angle is not the only thing... the article pretty much covers everything... tacky... i don't know how so... it's just my opinion when aero bars are bolted onto drop bars...

As with almost any other issue in cycling, it's a matter of personal preference and personal opinion. Some riders like clip on aero bars so they can set up an aero position when it is appropriate (like a time trial, triathlon or riding alone) and they can take them off when riding when it is not apporopriate (like in a group ride, where control is critical). Of course getting a good aero position requires a lot more than simply slapping on some aero bars! But that's a whole other discussion.

It kinda bumms me out to hear that so many riders will not ride with people who use aerobars.

I ride in a small group ride and the leader (assuming he has aerobars) is usually on them. I'm ok with it if I have ridden with that rider and trust his skill, but I will personally only use them when I ride by myself or at the back of a group and never where the road is technical (twisty or rough). I love em' and usually get about a 1.5 to 2 mph boost in speed.

As far as pros and cons go, you have to weigh weight vs speed into the equation as well. If you are a slow rider they will do you very little good and the weight will actually slow you down.

If you are a faster rider (I've heard the number being about 16-17 mph minimum-correct me if I'm wrong) then the weight become less of and issue and the improved aerodynamics pays off in increased speed.

One more con: if you are on an organized ride where they transport your bike, the aerobars also tend to get in the way and can become scratched (or scratch someone elses bike). I had mine scratched up nicely two weeks after I bought them in that way.

To address the issue of being a new rider and using aero bars-

Not the best idea in general. You need to become very comfortable on your bike before you start trying to put aero bars on there. If the bike is pretty new to you and/or you are new to riding, there are a lot of fit issues that you need to be absolutely sure you have taken care of before you slap aero bars on. I think (note: this is an opinion, hence starting it with "I think") that you should be able to balance on the bike with no hands before you should put aero bars on. It will demonstrate to you that you have plenty of feel for your bike and can react to different input from the road, like potholes, without totally freaking out and crashing yourself. Once you're comfortable on your bike, clip them on if you want. It depends on what kind of riding you're wanting to do. If you're looking to get into RAAM kind of stuff, or time trials, they're a good idea. Otherwise, they can be in the way more than anything else. Depends on your goals. Just wait to really address it until you're not a beginner rider anymore. You'll likely save some skin that way.

Wow thanks everyone for your input.

ImprezaDrvr,
I totally agree I am a beginner to road bike in the sense that my speed is not all that good right now, I can totally balance myself on the bike with out hands, I can even turn with out hands. I feel confortable on my bike, as I am also a Street BMX rider. I was just wondering if it would be helpful to a have aero bars, but obviously it seems to be something of no advantage to my riding.

I have one more question though, how can I help my speed? When I ride I always have riders just zoom right past me, I try to keep up and draft but it is difficult, how can I build up my speed? any suggestions or tips.

Thanks in advance.

I have one more question though, how can I help my speed?Road Killa,

The best thing you can do is to go out and join a cycling club. You'll get plenty of pointers on how to ride in a group and overall road handling skills. It just takes time to acquire the skills needed to ride in a group and gain the confidence to do it. Increasing your cadence, keeping a steady pace, and riding a straight line all help when riding in a group.

Good Luck!

speed is developed by riding more. it does take time, but it will come. riding with a group will help develop your technique. :rolleyes:

Road Killa,

The best thing you can do is to go out and join a cycling club. You'll get plenty of pointers on how to ride in a group and overall road handling skills. It just takes time to acquire the skills needed to ride in a group and gain the confidence to do it. Increasing your cadence, keeping a steady pace, and riding a straight line all help when riding in a group.

Good Luck!

I joined a local group that rides everyday about 25-30 miles but their speed was just to much for me, I kept up with them for a few miles but after a while I was totally out of breath. Their speeds were high, after a few rides I just felt discouraged and now I ride alone trying to get my speed up so I can hopefully keep up someday. The group is mostly age from 29-50 I was the youngest (pretty embarrassing). What is a good speed for me to keep steady to build up skills?

Road Killa,

Speed depends a lot on terrain and the route. Is it hilly or flat? Are there lots of turns, stops signs, traffic signals, etc? Speed is not as important as learning to be comfortable drafting a foot or less behind somebody's rear wheel. Probably anything over 18 mph is useful for building up your road skills

Maybe there's a slower group that you could ride with first. After getting to be in the front of the slower group you could make the jump to the faster group. You might still get dropped but keep working at it. A fast group will make you work that much harder. If they typically do the same route every week, see how long you can hang in before you're dropped. Progress is hanging in for 10 miles, then 15, then 20, etc.

My local club has a "B" ride and an "A" ride. I can keep up on the "B" ride without difficulty. The "A" ride is an entirely different story. I'm OK on the flats and descents but generally get dropped pretty quickly on the climbs. Every time out I try to hang onto the "A" group a little longer. Maybe one day I'll actually finish the ride with the group. At least it's a goal to shoot for.

Two other techniques I use to stay with the group for longer are (1) leave a few minutes earlier than the main bunch and (2) take a short cut.

Oh yeah, if they are racers they might be winding down right about now. So it's probably a good time to see if you can stay with the group.

SteveE

Thanks SteveE
Yeah the group rides on flats and only has one long curve, I will take your advice and try to keep a steady pace of 18 mph.

More questions for u guys : :p :p

I heard that keeping your knees in towards the top tube is the correct way to ride?

another con for areo's: you can't go no-hands with them. but the major killer for me would be the terrible geometry you would have to endure on a road bike with clip ons ... argh, my nuts hurt just thinking about it.

anway, knees should be directly above your feet for maximum efficiency - generally this translates to keeping the knees in towards the bar; especially for guys, whose anatomy tends to make a wider riding position seem more desirable.

incidentally, in cycling the ages of 28-32 are considered to be peak age, so don't worry if you can't keep up in your early 20s. that tends to happen lol, a coupla years of training will speed you up quite a bit.

another con for areo's: you can't go no-hands with them. but the major killer for me would be the terrible geometry you would have to endure on a road bike with clip ons ... argh, my nuts hurt just thinking about it.

anway, knees should be directly above your feet for maximum efficiency - generally this translates to keeping the knees in towards the bar; especially for guys, whose anatomy tends to make a wider riding position seem more desirable.

incidentally, in cycling the ages of 28-32 are considered to be peak age, so don't worry if you can't keep up in your early 20s. that tends to happen lol, a coupla years of training will speed you up quite a bit.


Kool thanks dude. Yeah thinking about the geometry I would have to endure with an aero bar on a road bike hurts ouch..lol

More questions :)
Also, is keeping your back straigh recommended or hunched over when riding?

Speed comes with time and work. Intervals will help when you're not in a group. But, believe it or not, you'll start keeping up with the fast folks if you keep riding with them. Get some miles under you this year and look to next season to start getting faster. It doesn't happen overnight, not by any legal means.

You probably want to keep your back relatively flat to keep your chest as open as possible. I have a really long stem on my bike because I'm more comfortable when stretched out a lot, but that's not at all for everyone.

As for roadie geometry and aero bars, riding in an aero position isn't that different from being in the drops with your elbows bent. Of course, you don't position yourself like that for the course of a 3 hour ride for a reason. Well, it's actually two reasons.

I had a lot of the same speed difficulties when I started out. The hardest, but most important thing I was tought (by my friend who used to be a nationally ranked clydsdale triathlete) was cadence. I used my lunch hours for short 6-8 mile rides where I just concentrated on cadence. I changed gears whenever the wind would gust or the grade would change, or fatigue set in, to maintain the 90-95 rpm cadence over the complete ride, regardless of speed. It takes patience since it's not very fun learning, but I found it invaluable. What I suddenly began to notice in just 2-4 weeks was the my speed was gradually increasing. I was able to maintain higher and higher speeds at that cadence. In my opinion, your legs have to get used to spinning before you can apply the pressure of bigger gears which work your legs in an entirely different way. I just don't think you can do both effectively at first.

Once you get comfortable with your pedaling, intervals were the next big step for me. Again, on the short lunch rides, I would just jump to the bigger gears and pedal as hard as I can with form until failure, the would drop way down, recup, and repeat.

One last observation, the one thing I noticed about myself was that I found myself riding in my comfort zone too often. Intensity is the key to getting better. You have to push yourself beyond that comfort zone to keep advancing to the next level.

One last observation, the one thing I noticed about myself was that I found myself riding in my comfort zone too often. Intensity is the key to getting better. You have to push yourself beyond that comfort zone to keep advancing to the next level.[/QUOTE]

OMG!!! that is exactly my problem, everytime I ride I seem to go back to my "comfort zone" its hard when you get fatigued to push on, and its very easy to go to the comfort zone again, maybe this is why I am not advancing + I need to work on my cadence. Thanks

I've basically translated what I've learned in the gym to the bike. There's a HUGE difference between CAN'T and WON'T. In the gym for instance, if you benched 225 for 3 sets of 8 forever and never added weight, never changed anything about it, your body simply adapts and nothing happens anymore regardless how long you do it. Adding weight and changing sets and lifting to failure is very uncomfortable, it's not fun, but I do it because that what yields results. Same is true on the bike. When the wind is blowing in your face, it's much easier to drop down a couple gears, drop down to 12, 13, or 14 mph, then it is to push yourself harder into the wind or up that grade so that your legs are on fire and your mouth is wide open catching bugs. The thing you have to remember is, it's just a temporary discomfort. The wind will change direction, the road will level off and you feel like pro for riding so well when you finally unclip. That's what makes it worth it... just like looking in the mirror and seeing muscle definition from the gym.

I think it's just unnatural to want to put yourself through discomfort and your head tells you that you can't. I'm not saying every ride has to be torture, but you'll be amazed at how much more successful and enjoyable your normal rides become from some intense training in between.

One last observation, the one thing I noticed about myself was that I found myself riding in my comfort zone too often. Intensity is the key to getting better. You have to push yourself beyond that comfort zone to keep advancing to the next level.


OMG!!! that is exactly my problem, everytime I ride I seem to go back to my "comfort zone" its hard when you get fatigued to push on, and its very easy to go to the comfort zone again, maybe this is why I am not advancing + I need to work on my cadence. Thanks

That's why you go out and ride with people stronger and faster than you. Nothing helps you like having to struggle to keep up with some Cat 2 riders.

here's a good read... http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/difference.shtml ... i personally think that aero bars on a "road" bike looks tacky... no... i don't have anything against aero bars, but they need to be on a bike with proper geometry...


uh... then take a look at the stock TT bikes that pro racers are riding... they all have standard road bike seat tube angles. TT bike are just glorified road bikes with aerobars on them... just a little fancier looking

The pro's ride road geometry because UCI rules have basically put a limit on what your effective seat tube angle can be (The nose of the saddle has to be a specific distance behind the BB).

The current line of thinking is that you will go faster easier on a steep angle bike - http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/techctr/seatangle.html

The second of the ‘97 studies was published in the Journal of Sports Sciences (Price and Donne) and was called, "Effect of variation in seat tube angle and different seat heights on submaximal cycling performance in man." The article stated that, "At a seat tube angle of 80 degrees, mean VO2 was significantly lower and power efficiency significantly higher compared with an angle of 74 degrees." Likewise, 74 degrees offered more efficiency than 68 degrees.

and

These were road racers riding a road race bike, and they in general rode with considerable economy at 80 degrees versus their usual angle of 74 degrees. Oxygen consumption at the given rate of exertion was about 37 ml/kg/min at 80 degrees versus about 38.5 at 74 degrees (if you’re consuming more oxygen to do a given amount of work, you’re working harder, i.e., you’re less efficient).

Why did the authors achieve this result? "The mean shoe-pedal angle changes produced by altering the tube angle," opined the authors, "would result in a decreased effective force during the first half of the pedal stroke but an increased effective force during the second half. We speculate that increasing the tube angle improves effective force transfer during the second half of the pedal stroke."

The authors also noted that this series of tests only related to riding on the flat, and to submaximal power outputs, often atypical of race conditions.

somebody brought up the Slam position, that was designed because a lot of people can't get comfortable on a steep angle bike. So you end up taking a pretty nice aero hit by riding a road bike, but you're comfy enough to finish that leg of the race, hence the Slam position was developed to try and get back some aero effeciency while riding on a more comfortable bike.

Anyways, none of this has anything to do with the original question;



I need your suggestions, would you recommend an aero bar for beginner, and if so which one?
Please pro and cons of aero bars.
Thanks in advance.

Define beginner would be the first step. Are you "new" to riding in general, how are your bike handling skills? How flexible are you? What goals are you hoping to accomplish by using aero bars?

Pros:
- You will go faster
- Once you get used to it, they can be a very comfortable place to ride on long rides

Cons
- You will mostly likely lose the tops of the bars for a hand position.
- You do lose some control of the bike, more twitchy.
- To get the most out of them you need to study up some on positioning.
- If you aren't flexible and in shape being hunched over is gonna be painful.
- Most groups don't want you around with aero bars on your bike.
- It's no replacement for real training.

Andrew

uh... then take a look at the stock TT bikes that pro racers are riding... they all have standard road bike seat tube angles. TT bike are just glorified road bikes with aerobars on them... just a little fancier looking

it don't matter to me what the pros are riding... if i'm not comfortable with it, then who cares what anyone else thinks...

it don't matter to me what the pros are riding... if i'm not comfortable with it, then who cares what anyone else thinks...

uh you're right... agree with you there, if you're not comfortable with it, then it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks... but that's not what i was talking about.

i was commenting on your comment that aero bars should only be used on bikes with the proper geometry.... my point was to say that TT frames tend to have the same seat tube angles of regular road bikes, so there's no real difference in geometry.

i agree with you that aerobars on drop bars look really gross... but function is alot more important than form. as i've mentioned before, a LOT of professional triathletes ride on drop bars with clip on aerobars. It ain't pretty, but it works.

If I'm not mistaken, the new Trek Time Trial bike at my LBS is standard road geometry, complete with bullhorns and the new Profile Design IRON MAN aerobars.

I know what you're saying though, I too think aerobars look funny on standard drops. To be honest, it's one of the reasons I went to bullhorns. I found that I never road in the drops so I opted for a tri setup which gave me a lot more position options.

Road Killa,

To answer your initial question: No, I wouldn't recommend aerobars for a beginner. As I indicated earlier, the only time to use them is doing a triathlon or a time trial. If your don't plan on being a triathlete then I certainly can't recommend aerobars. If, after you've gained quite a bit of experience on a road bike, you decide that you'd like to try your hand at at time trial, then give it a try.

SteveE

Road Killa,

To answer your initial question: No, I wouldn't recommend aerobars for a beginner. As I indicated earlier, the only time to use them is doing a triathlon or a time trial. If your don't plan on being a triathlete then I certainly can't recommend aerobars. If, after you've gained quite a bit of experience on a road bike, you decide that you'd like to try your hand at at time trial, then give it a try.

SteveE


Understood, I defenatly wont try aero bars for the moment, at this point I am only interested and concetrating on building my riding skills and performance on my road bike. As for riding distance and time spent riding what is recommended for a novice/intermidiate rider like me? Right now I ride for about 1 hour every other day. What is a suggested riding schedule?

Road Killa

I would suggest you get a good training book,
there's the lance armstrong training manual, I like
serious cycling by Edmund Burke.
Also good is the Heart Monitor book for cyclists, very specific rides for strength, speed, weight loss whatever
your goals are. check the training/nutrition forums.

marty

I don't understand what the big deal is about someone wanting aerobars. If you want them get them. Should you go ride wheel to wheel in 50 person group ride at 23 or 24 mph the first day? Of course not, and no one would, or should, think you're dumb enough to do so. I swapped my bars out the 2nd or 3rd week I had my bike. Did I try using them all the time? No of course not. But I certainly tried them, getting used to them gradually. On a long straight stretch of road, I would first just get down on them and not even pedal, sit there for a just bit, then pop back up. I just gradually and safely increased my time on them. It doesn't matter if you're a beginner as long as you have just an ounce of common sense. If you didn't, you wouldn't even be on this board asking the question, so if you want, them get them.

As far as others telling you they have no place on your bike unless you're doing triathlons or time trials, they're certainly entitled to their opinion, but I don't think anyone needs to be telling anyone what or how they should configure their bike on issues like this. I talk to a guy every now and then who has a $5K plus Serotta Ottro. He's retired, rides everyday, participates in the fastest group of his club, doesn't think twice about centuries and averages 200 miles or more a week. Try telling him his Oval Concept bullhorns and aerobars have no place on his bike. It's personal choice.

I don't agree that aero bars are only useful for time trials or triathlons -- that may be what they were developed for, but there are other situations where they're good to have. The main reason I got mine was to provide a rest position on the bars for long rides and give my hands a break. There are lots of times when I'm riding solo or find myself away from other riders on group rides where I settle into the aero bars and cruise for miles. They're also nice to have when riding into a stiff headwind. I don't use them in pacelines or pack riding for obvious reasons, and I'll agree that they're not the first thing a newbie should go buy. I didn't have to make any big changes to my bike to accommodate them -- the bars and saddle are where they would be if I didn't have the aero bars and my bike has pretty standard geometry, yet somehow the aero bars are comfortable for me and I don't find myself wobbling around. Go figure... :)

I talk to a guy every now and then who has a $5K plus Serotta Ottro. He's retired, rides everyday, participates in the fastest group of his club, doesn't think twice about centuries and averages 200 miles or more a week. Try telling him his Oval Concept bullhorns and aerobars have no place on his bike.
This guy doesn't sound like a newbie to me, so I certainly wouldn't tell him would to put on his bike either.

Road Killa, on the other hand, was asking for suggestions as a beginner. I gave him mine. If he wants to go out an get aerobars before how learning to ride properly that's fine with me. Since he's on the opposite coast I won't have to worry about on the road with me. :)

I think you guys who live in the flatlands like them a whole lot more than those of us who rides lots of hills.

SteveE

I have seen all your replies and I have decided that aero bars wont do much for me at this point, maybe in the long run when I have picked up my speed and riding distances I might consider it.

just so you know, a lot of roadies -- including myself -- won't ride with guys who use aero bars. nothing personal, but using aerobars is like having a big bushy tail and a craving for nuts.

Could you elaborate on this a bit?

Aerodog, I'm pretty sure that's a long winded way to say "squirrelly" (sp?). As in, many riders on aero bars are a bit squirrelly (sp? again) on their bikes.

Mr Killa, I think you and I are in quite a similar position. I ride BMX too, I just got my first road bike a few months ago, and was the youngest person in the room by about four centuries when I went to my local club. At first I wanted aero bars (or bull horns at least), but having ridden more and readjusted my drops and levers, I realised it just wasn't worth it.

Try moving your levers if they're not comfortable to ride on, move your seat (up/down and forwards/backwards) until you find a comfortable position, and just ride more until you're at ease with your bike. Any aerodynamic advantage at this early stage of your career will be little more than riding on the drops anyway, plus it's a lot cheaper not buying accessories you don't need :)

Mr Killa, I think you and I are in quite a similar position. I ride BMX too, I just got my first road bike a few months ago, and was the youngest person in the room by about four centuries when I went to my local club. At first I wanted aero bars (or bull horns at least), but having ridden more and readjusted my drops and levers, I realised it just wasn't worth it.

Try moving your levers if they're not comfortable to ride on, move your seat (up/down and forwards/backwards) until you find a comfortable position, and just ride more until you're at ease with your bike. Any aerodynamic advantage at this early stage of your career will be little more than riding on the drops anyway, plus it's a lot cheaper not buying accessories you don't need :)


I totally agree Jonny B, I have made a few adjustments on the seat and I feel alot better when riding. But now I get a pain at the bottom of my right foot toward the small toe very painful almost like a cramp. anyone know what the cause of this could be.

But now I get a pain at the bottom of my right foot toward the small toe very painful almost like a cramp. anyone know what the cause of this could be.

Could be a 'hot spot' caused by your pedal/shoe combination. How long do you ride before you notice this?

Could be a 'hot spot' caused by your pedal/shoe combination. How long do you ride before you notice this?



about 35 minutes, before I notice the pain.

I'm not a fan of aerobars...BUT...I was in a team triathlon last September. The winner had an avg speed of just under 25 mph-with aerobars. I finished 2nd with an avg of just over 21 mph. IF I had the aerobars...a big IF...and I gained the usual 2 mph..I still would've been in 2nd place...but who knows...maybe if I were a real threat to the winner, he would've blown up trying to get away early on...

Next year: Already training for spring NOW
Next year: Putting aerobars and bullhorns on my Specialized M4 and if I can afford it, some dangerous wheels...wish me luck