Triathlon - Aero bars and riding the tops

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Geewhiz

07-29-09, 09:54 PM

Hello,

I am looking for a set clip-on aero bars that will allow me to ride on the tops of my handlebars. I do a lot of distance riding and a lot of hill climbing and I would prefer not to sacrifice one hand position for the other. I have the profile design century bars on my touring bike and they work well for me in all other respects. The obvious choice to me seemed the "airstryke" model, but I have heard that the hinges that allow the pads to rise not only rattle irritatingly, but also seem to break easily presenting a serious hazard. Any suggestions you have for other models would be greatly appreciated. I am not very picky when it comes to weight or even achieving the "ideal" aero position. Comfort and handling are greater priorities. Thanks!

twentysixtwo

07-29-09, 10:08 PM

I have an older Airstryke.

They do rattle a bit on very rough road but otherwise quiet.

I don't think they're likely to break easily - I thin they're forged. I would say that with the pads in the outer positions they did seem to flex a lot more than I would have liked. I've since gotten accustomed to them enough that I use the innermost position and they don't flex much at all.

brian669

07-29-09, 10:54 PM

the aristryke is prob as close as you'll get. but when you lift the rests that high your position is weird. almost pointless imo.

Dalai

07-30-09, 12:15 AM

I had the Split Second model years ago. Rattled a bit but otherwise was fine... In the end it was the springs that failed so the arm rests wouldn't lift up anymore.

sirious94

07-30-09, 01:24 AM

I have Profile T2+ on my bike and they work fine. I just angled them up a few degrees and my hands fit right under them. I have seen some flip up ones on the market though.(as in the elbow pads are spring loaded to come up) I forget what they were called.

kakman

07-30-09, 07:17 AM

I have Profile T2+ on my bike and they work fine. I just angled them up a few degrees and my hands fit right under them.
Same setup here - and if I'm feeling really lazy I just sit my hands on top of the armrests.

bspurrie

07-30-09, 11:38 AM

Ditto

Rahzel

07-31-09, 08:30 PM

Most clip-on aerobars render the tops unusable. However, as others have said, you can put your hands on the pads to give yourself a pseudo-"tops" position.

Some long-distance riders (such as RAAM riders) custom-build their aerobars to have a significant rise up from the point where the aerobars clamp on to the handlebars. This allows the hands access to the tops and gives an aero position (though the pads are so high that the position is usually more for comfort than aerodynamics):

http://www2.arnes.si/~astege/jure-robic-raam.jpg