Road Bike Racing - Clip on Aerobars and position

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UmneyDurak
08-07-08, 12:20 PM
So in preparation for a TT on Sunday I put clip on aerobars on my road bike. Big cudos and thanks to Pizza Man for loaning them to me. :thumb:
From the reflection in the windows my back looks pretty straight. The thing is I didn't do any adjustments to the bike, didn't slide the seat forward, etc. From all the posts I read it seems to be a common thing to do, but I just didn't feel it was necessary. Plus I was quite comfortable on the bars. I am sure this says something about the fit of the bike, but I am not sure what. Any words of wisdom?

DannoXYZ
08-07-08, 12:44 PM
Personally I wouldn't change your position. You're most comfortable and probably more efficient in your current position than a new one. A pure TT position, while it can be faster, takes a lot of training to get comfortable and efficient. But I wouldn't use that position until you've done at least 100-hrs of training in it. So you'll actually be slower when you change into that position until you're used to it.

For this Sunday's TT, just use your current position and you'll be fine! Good luck! :)
Colonelmom
08-07-08, 01:34 PM
So in preparation for a TT on Sunday I put clip on aerobars on my road bike. Big cudos and thanks to Pizza Man for loaning them to me. :thumb:
From the reflection in the windows my back looks pretty straight. The thing is I didn't do any adjustments to the bike, didn't slide the seat forward, etc. From all the posts I read it seems to be a common thing to do, but I just didn't feel it was necessary. Plus I was quite comfortable on the bars. I am sure this says something about the fit of the bike, but I am not sure what. Any words of wisdom?

get last month's Bicycle magazine; there is a DIY section about converting your road bike for TT. It commends several adjustments besides just clipping on aero bars.. you've effectively lengthed the top tube.. so yes you need to probably slide your seat forward and up... read the DIY article.... I was almost 8 minutes faster from my first TT when I just clipped on aero bars, to my second TT on the same course after I made the adjustment... The other big difference... I was not sore!!!