Touring - Aero Bars or Handle bar bag?

I was just fiddling with my touring bike and was about to a install a set of aero bars on the bike but I will need to get rid of the handlebar bag or rig up an additional stem for the handlebar bag.

I was wondering what the your thoughts of using an aero bar on a touring bike. and should I ditch the bag or try to add the bag?

I think that I would like the aero bars to minimize the bad head winds and to add the extra hand position and take a little weight off the hands. But I like my handlebar bag but since it is an ortlieb the aerobars above it may impede the opening of the bag.

I'd only suggest using the aero bars if you like riding in that position. typically an aero setup is not all that comfortable so it would not be all that usefull for touring. If anything you could just ride in the drops and keep your nice bag.

Why not have both? On my Spectrum, I have a Kirtland handlebar bag and Profile Split Second aero bars mounted right alongside the habelbar bag. Not absolutely aerodynamic, and may be a wider spread than your body will allow, but something to consider. A friend has Profile AirStryke aero bars and then the handle bar bag is mounted on the fork a la Gilles Berthoud.

If you must have both (I'm of the opinion to skip the aero bars because I don't find that position that useful for touring) and you have a threadless-style stem, you can mount two stems on your steerer tube, and then a second handlebar on your lower stem where the bag goes. I did this just to remove clutter and because I have a lot of junk that wouldn't otherwise fit (light and switch, second light, handlebar bag, trip computer, reflector-yeah, I'm paranoid about being hit). I forget where I first read of it, but it works out well for me.

I have aero bars on my Marinoni Turismo and also had them on my last touring bike. I have never had a handle bar bag. I carry my wallet, passport and other essential stuff in a fanny pack that never leaves me. Maps, camera etc go in the top pocket of my left front pannier. Snacks and such I carry in a Bento box that fits on the top tube. I come from a triathlon background so am very comfortable riding on the bars. The position is no where near as aggressive as a tri bike, and can be a nice break on a long ride as well as when riding into a headwind. So if I had to choose between the two I would go with the aero bars

Both! But it wasn't easy. I chopped the Arkel brackets to hang lower, and make raiser pieces for the aero bar arm rests.

http://users.techline.com/tomn/arkelbag.jpg

http://users.techline.com/tomn/arkelbag2.jpg

http://users.techline.com/tomn/arkelbag3.jpg

http://users.techline.com/tomn/arkelbag4.jpg

http://users.techline.com/tomn/arkelbag5.jpg

http://users.techline.com/tomn/arkelbag6.jpg

Tom

Wow. Tomn has a nice bike, or what!

Although clearly you can have both, if you must choose, it will be a matter of deciding what you value more on a tour: riding postures or convenient storage.

Me... I have toured with aerobars for 16 years, and consider them indispensable. It's not unusual for me to be in the aero position for half my rides.

I find aerobars indispensable for their comfort on longer rides. It really helps to get the weight off the wrists for a stretch. My touring bike has a top front shelf so I am not lacking for places to store things.

I'd only suggest using the aero bars if you like riding in that position. typically an aero setup is not all that comfortable so it would not be all that usefull for touring. If anything you could just ride in the drops and keep your nice bag.

Perhaps it's best to remember that aerobars were originally invented for touring purposes. One of the mountain bike guys from CA as I remember.

cyclist 2000,
Try to ignore those who say aero bars aren't useful on tour. I have aerobars on every bike I own and use them for hours on end. When you are out west and are faced with a 20+ mph headwind for three or four days in a row, you will be glad you have the aerobars. If you have tried aerobars and find them too uncomfortable to use for you, then leave them home. I think that it is all about fitting the bars so that they are comfortable for you and then learning to use them a lot and to be comfortable with them. There is no doubt that they are useful many times when on a long, cross-country tour.

I have looked for several years to find a bag that would work with my aerobars to no avail. I would say that Tomn's solution is very nice. I will likely try something like that in the future. Thank you Tomn for sharing the idea and the detailed photos that we can use. Very good info.
Cheers

http://www.palmbeachbiketours.com/surly-long-haul-trucker-second-stem/ Here is another solution to your problem if........you don't have a cut to length steering tube.

On my bike I found that I could attach a second stem to my primary stem because the neck of my stem is the same dia. as my handlebars. Then I bought a piece of 1-1/8" dia. aluminum tube and put it where the second stem would attach to the steering tube and it works perfectly. It holds my bag, computer, lights and mirror. I have pictures on a thread "I Need more Room" (sorry i don't have the same pic's on my work computer)
Anyway, that might be a solution as well.