Raketmensch

Lately I've been doing a fair number of longish (50-100 mi) solo rides -- sometimes pretty flat and usually with very little traffic -- and it has gotten me thinking about getting some aerobars. I may get into TTing at some point in the future, and someday I may even get a dedicated TT bike. For now, though, I'm just looking for a possible modification to my road bike that'd give me a little more speed and another hand position on those really long rides.

My bike is a Trek Madone 5.9 SL with Bontrager Race X-Lite CF bars. It's got a perfect road-bike fit for me, and I do not want to mess with that. This means, of course, that I don't want to try long TT-style bars. Instead, I'm looking for some "shorty" bars that are specifically designed to go on a road bike without requiring any other changes to the setup. One bar of this type that I've heard about is the Profile Jammer GT. I suspect that there are others that are similar.

Four questions for anybody who has experience in such matters:

1) What do you think of the Jammer GT?

2) Are there other similar bars out there that I should consider?

3) Can clip-on aerobars be used with carbon handlebars without causing damage? The Profile site just says "Some lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber handlebars are not compatible with aerobar assemblies..." and refers you to the manufacturer's instructions. I did not find the Bontrager site to be helpful.

4) For various possible models, how easy is it to remove them? I do group rides where aerobars would be of no use (and indeed a hazard if I actually rode on them). Are there bars out there that can easily be installed or removed on a per-ride basis?

Thanks for any answers you can provide!

grahny

I was recently looking at aerobars too and found this site that has all different makes and models...

https://www.trisports.com/aerobars.html

I ended up getting the Oval A710's for my needs.

I should mention that I ended up getting a pair for $30 less on ebay than buying them from the store though. I just used that site to see whatelse other than profile design was out there.

-Steve

ks1g

I have a set of Jammer GT's (based on recommendation of a friend training for ultra distance TTs). I use them for the same reason as the OP - different hand positions (I'm prone to hand numbness anyway) and I'll take whatever aero benefit I can get on a normal road bike setup. I really like them. On group rides, I just stay off the jammer bars unless I am at the front of a group or solo. No one has complained yet. They do use up a lot of handlebar real estate - I have my HRM mounted on a stub off one of the jammer bars. Installation was very easy and you can fine tune the position almost infinitely. You will probably have to trim the bar tape near the center, however. I have aluminum bars, so can't comment on compatibility with carbon.

ranger5oh

I also have the Jammer GTs, and I really like them. I will say, they are a short bar, they wont stretch you out like a set you would find on a tri bike. I find the problem with longer aerobars is that whiel they make you more aero, they reduce the force I can apply to my pedals. I think the Jammer GTs are a great compromise of fit and function. THey weigh next to nothing, and are really comfortable.

https://www.trisports.com/prdecajagt.html <-- These are the bars.

terrymorse 

Just FYI, whenever a new person with aerobars shows up on a group ride, everyone gets just a little nervous. Aerobars telegraph the message: "I don't have much experience riding in groups".

Having gotten that off my chest, I've occasionally used the Cinelli Spinacissimi bars for long solo efforts:

TomMc1

I just got the Split Second aerobars from Profile Design. Check out this thread that I started when looking for advice on the same subject. I too was just looking for another hand position. So far I really like the bars. I have only ridden about 100 miles on them though.

Here is the link to the thread: https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...hlight=clip-on

I also didn't want to disturb my road bike setup with anything like an angled seat post. I have them pretty much set so my upper body is in the same position when in the drops as on the aerobars. I don't want crotch discomfort because of resting my hands. so far so good. I have aluminum bars so I can comment on comptability. They were very easy to install and are very easy to adjust.

Raketmensch

Yeah, I know that, and there's a good reason people feel that way! That's part of why I'm interested in clip-on bars that are easy to remove... I really only would want to use them for the occasional very long solo ride.

From what I've seen so far, two of the nicer ones out there are the Profile CGT and the Syntace XXS. Anybody had a chance to compare these?

Talewinds

Once you go aerobar you never go back.
I guess I can understand the whole group ride/ aerobar thing, but I ride alone almost exclusively, so that particular group dynamic isn't one of my worries.
I have the Oval brand R-bend bars on my Kestrel. They're ultra sleek, but the hand position doesn't lend itself to long distances.
My Trek has some Syntace C2's that have been very good for me for a couple of years. I can recommend those for sure.