Tandem Cycling - Cane Creek Speed Bars

Anybody using these on the stokers bars?

We're looking to set the tandem up for the State TT championship. We'll use clip on aerobars for the Captain. But there's not enough room in the back to make aerobars work for the stoker.

I'm thinking the narrow arm position allowed by the Speed bars will be more aero than drop bars.

http://www.universalcycles.com/images//products/medium/5261.jpg

http://www.usacycling.org/gallery/albums/album224/Tina_Beatini_and_Jacqui_Lockwood_1st_W_Tandem_70.jpg

If the stokers hands on the drops are already within the bounds of your hips, will maker the stoker "more aero" really help?

1) there not, and 2)the stoker's upper body is still more open catching more air at the outside of the bars.

Experimenting, we've found that we get about 1/2mph for the same perceived effort with her hands by the stem, and tucked down elbows bent.

My thought is that the speed bars can allow that same narrow position with more support, thus easier to hold for 40k

Experimenting, we've found that we get about 1/2mph for the same perceived effort with her hands by the stem, and tucked down elbows bent.

My thought is that the speed bars can allow that same narrow position with more support, thus easier to hold for 40k

Cool, 1/2mph is a good difference for a TT. Yeah, I'd hate to be grabbing tops near the stem for 40K even if I was going to only spend 50 minutes doing it. You guys look pretty fast, are you averaging in the high 20's?

that pic isn't us. just an example of a set up with the speed bars.

We'll be doing very well for us if we can hold 25mph.

Merlin:
Suggest you mount those Speedbars on an old set of bars; chop off the excess of the old bars with hacksaw; will make the setup even more light/aero.
Good luck in trhe state TT!!!
Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

+1 ^

Is the team in the picture riding a few degrees OOP?

I think those bars may be a great idea. We know a team that has a Calfee with an extended stoker section and aerobars for the stoker. In theory and possibly in practice, it is a fast setup. However, the stoker is set back from the captain. With the bars you are evaluating, the stoker will be closer to the captain and it may be superior to the other set up at certain wind angles. Let's assume you qualitative speed increase is close to being correct. At $30, this is the best gizmo I have seen to increase performance.

BTW, you look like you lost weight in that picture but you legs look great.:D

Got the speed bars, and so far they're working out well. Allows the stoker to get low, and be more narrow than a conventional drop bar setup.

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/bobstewart/speedbars.jpg

Got the speed bars, and so far they're working out well. Allows the stoker to get low, and be more narrow than a conventional drop bar setup.


Brilliant idea, Bittersweet and I are planning on doing some time-trialing later in the season and I have to look at this option now. Great thinking outside the box.

Pretty slick idea, got to admit.