Bicycle Mechanics - Aerobars will not fit

I assumed that all handle bars were created equal and the aerobars I got from Nashbar would fit my bike. I have a 2007 Trek 7200 and my handle bars are too thin even using the provided shims that came in the kit (link below). Rather than the hassle of sending them back or selling them, do hardware stores or LBS carry larger shims?

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600092&subcategory=60001180&brand=&sku=17140&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Aero%20Bars

Problem Solvers makes a shim that adapts a 25.4mm bar (yours I think) to a 31.8 stem (the size of your aerobar clamps without shim). It could be cut in half and used to shim your bar clamps to the bars you have.

Maybe wrap some electrical tape on the shim? That works for me for lights and such.

SO YEA... DON'T DO THIS...! I suppose I could delete this, but I hate it when I read a thread and that has happened and I have no clue what is going on.

Do not fool around while shiming aerobars. If they come loose while your pulling up.........your in trouble. If they come loose while your weight is on them..............your in trouble.

Think of handlebars coming loose while riding. Now think of handlebars 6" wide coming loose while your body is parked out over your front wheel.

+1 Send them back.

Too big of a difference between 25.4 and 31.8.
You'd be trying to "shim" a mounting already based on friction; don't introduce more variables there.

THE LINK YOU PROVIDED SAYS THE BARS FIT 25.4, i HAVN'T SEEN road bars smaller than that. Have you measured your bars? how big is the gap?

The link says they fit standard (25.4) and OS (31.7). It looks like there are shims you include for the smaller diameter bars. You either aren't putting them on right or the shims are missing.

The link says they fit standard (25.4) and OS (31.7). It looks like there are shims you include for the smaller diameter bars. You either aren't putting them on right or the shims are missing.

standard bars are 26.0!

MTB bars are 25.4.

OS bars are 31.8.

Aerobars do not come from the factory with shims to fit MTB bars.

Maybe wrap some electrical tape on the shim? That works for me for lights and such.

This is the stupidest and most dangerous suggestion I have ever heard.

standard bars are 26.0!

MTB bars are 25.4.

OS bars are 31.8.

Aerobars do not come from the factory with shims to fit MTB bars.

MTB bars (and most road bars) are 25.4mm in the centre under the stem clamp. MTB bars taper to 22.2mm (IIRC) when you move toward the grip...

send the bars back or call them and ask if there is another shim you should have recieved witht he bars.

MTB bars (and most road bars) are 25.4mm in the centre under the stem clamp. MTB bars taper to 22.2mm (IIRC) when you move toward the grip...

send the bars back or call them and ask if there is another shim you should have recieved witht he bars.

Aerobars clamp onto the stem clamp area of the bars. There will be no factory shim to adapt the aero bars to a 25.4 MTB bar. This will require purchasing or fabricating a special shim.


edit: Extra information. If mounting aerobars, make sure that your handlebar is rated for the aerobar as there is a lot of clamping force involved. Many carbon bars are not. Manufacturers that do a lot of work with aerobars also tend to have longer (wider) stem clamp areas on their handlebars so that the user has more latitude as to how far apart the bars can be mounted. Do not try to mount the aerobars on the end of the clamping area where the bar starts to taper down to the smaller diameter. The clamps will crush the handlebar if this is tried.

The product description says they fit "standard" and "OS" bars. Standard bars on a road bike are 26.0mm, not 25.4mm as on the OPs hybrid. The aerobars are intended for a road bike. The OP will either have to find shims that will adapt to his bars, replace his bars and stem with OS components, or return the aerobars for a refund.

The product description says they fit "standard" and "OS" bars. Standard bars on a road bike are 26.0mm, not 25.4mm as on the OPs hybrid. The aerobars are intended for a road bike. The OP will either have to find shims that will adapt to his bars, replace his bars and stem with OS components, or return the aerobars for a refund.

Looks like they updated their description, because it said that they fit 25.4 diameter before. Now it just says standard and os

This is the stupidest and most dangerous suggestion I have ever heard.
Yea, now that I think about it I totally agree. Probably only why I use it for lights and bells. I hope the OP didn't smash his chin on his stem...

Maybe wrap some electrical tape on the shim? That works for me for lights and such.

Horrendously bad and dangerous advice.

You might try calling them to tell them that the bar was shipped without the correct shims (25.4 to 31.8). They ought to send the correct shims at no charge. (After all, you have standard diameter bars; the item description didn't specify whether "standard" refers to road or MTB bars.) Failing that (if they point out that there are three road bars and no MTB bars shown in the aerobar page), Alfred E. Bike and some other online suppliers list the shims for around $8.00 a pair.