Triathlon - Anybody try homemade aerobars?

Heh yeah fairly new to cycling, but definitely hooked. Want to start training for triathlons, but totally turned off by prices for aerobars.

Did any of you know try throwing something together on your own? In my thought experiments, I was imaging some PVC pipes that could work? Or anybody try fabriciating some of those short stubby aerobars like they used in TdF?

Appreciate any feedback,
-xan-

Try a minimalist bar extension like the Cinelli Spinaci. I got mine for around $20.

http://www.totaltri.com/item--Profile-Design-Century-Aerobar--5007

I got mine for $50 and I thought that was a pretty decent deal. But yeah, $20 sounds even better. The one I bought they were selling at my LBS for $170!! Yowzza!!

Try a minimalist bar extension like the Cinelli Spinaci. I got mine for around $20.



Thanks for the tip fliprider. How do you like those bars? Hmm I dont' know a ton about aerobars.. so I guess those ones you don't actually rest your arms on them? I'm unsure how exactly you use those ones...

Which leads me to another question.. it seems that the bigger aero bars do two things (in terms of weight distribution): Allows you to rest on your forearms, relieving weight from your wrists and arms. Also your wrists are in a neutral vertical position (like bar ends). However the Cinelli Spinaci doesn't look like it'd be able to to either?

i tired it once.....some small pvc...took a heater gun thing and heated it up and bent it like a U then used some bracket thingys and attached it to the stem. it worked for a few weeks but they got junky and loose so i threw em in the trash.

Thanks for the tip fliprider. How do you like those bars? Hmm I dont' know a ton about aerobars.. so I guess those ones you don't actually rest your arms on them? I'm unsure how exactly you use those ones...



When you grip the Spinacis your forearms are resting on your handlebars.



Which leads me to another question.. it seems that the bigger aero bars do two things (in terms of weight distribution): Allows you to rest on your forearms, relieving weight from your wrists and arms. Also your wrists are in a neutral vertical position (like bar ends). However the Cinelli Spinaci doesn't look like it'd be able to to either?

Correct. The spinacis don't have the same hand position that other aerobars do, and they don't have a nice forearm pad either. They do let you get into a low aero position though, which is what they're for.
There are other more substantial aerobars out there for road bikes like the Profile Design Jammer, but they're a bit more expensive.

Hop on over to the bike fit articles on www.slowtwitch.com (specifically: http://tinyurl.com/5h5fa) to find out which aerobars will best fit your bike.

That bar tape looks like flavorstripe gum.Do they even still make that? I think i want some gum.

just bite your lip, tuck your body to the stem and hold on to those bull horns for dear life. SCREW AERO BARS!