Mukluk

Greetings all. I have a road bike and plan to do some time trials and triathlons with it. When I went to pick up my bike, the bike shop owner felt that a bar such as the Profile GT jammer would be easy to put on the bike and would not require fit adjustments. He felt that a bar such as the Airstryke would require a lot more adjustments. Also on my last ride I notice that I get some numbness in my left hand which I was able to "shake off" but I wonder if having aerobars on my bike would be helpful for giving me more arm position options (at present I try to rotate between drops, brake hoods and bar tops). I can only afford one bike so having a separate TT/tri bike, although a swell idea, is not an option.

I suppose the +/- of the Jammer would be
+ minimal if any fit adjustments
+ can leave on the bike which might be nice for having alternate hand positions on solo rides
- arm pads do not flip up so could be an issue for hills (not too many in Ohio but when I move back to California in September that won't be the case)
-not as aerodynamic in speed events

+/- for airstryke
+ more aerodynamic
+ better for hills due to "flip up" arm pads
- "hassle factor" put on the bike about a week prior to TT and tris, make adjustments for bike fit, then remove after event. (is this what people do, or do they just leave them on? I will be doing some group rides in which I of course would not use the bars even if they are on the bike)
- bike shop guy thinks the flip up feature makes them rattle which he claims is annoying


I wonder what the difference in aerodynamics is between the two bars. If it isn't much, perhaps I would be better off with the road style bars?

Thanks in advance for any wisdom that might be offered on the subject.

TechJunkie

It's been said before: Don't put aerobars on your only roadbike. Go with shorty clip ons like the jammer or buy a TT/Tri specific bike if that's what you want. Geometry on a Tri bike is very different: back is flat, body is rotated forward on the saddle, and the saddle is farther forward in relation to the bottom bracket. It is not comfortable or efficient to pedal at a low cadence, either. Bottom line, a Tri bike is not for everyone. Ride one for at 10 miles, if possible, before you buy.

littledjahn

I don't know from aerobars - but you may want to address the numbness in your hand. There could be a problem with your set-up that you need to fix, not just hide by adding aerobars.

merlinextraligh

Neither bar is more aerodynamic than the other. The issue is which one gives you, the rider, a more aerodynamic position. The Jammer bar (and others like Oval slam bars) are designed to facilitate an aero position on a road bike without altering other things about the bike..

A full on aero bar may allow you to dial in a somewhat more aero position, (and a more open hip angle) but to do so may well require a shorter stem, and a seatpost with little or negative set back. Those changes may help your TT position, but won't help the bike's handling as a road bike.

Personally, if I was using the bike as a road bike and occassionally for tris or TT's, I'd buy the jammer bar, put it on for TT's and to train for TT's, and otherwise take it off.

TechJunkie

One disclaimer: I ride my Cervelo a week before and during a triathalon, and the rest of the time I am on my near 30 year old Centurion-I don't put clipons on that bike. I hate putting base miles on my Tri bike. Take it for what its worth.

Psydotek

When looking at them, in terms of aerodynamics there's probably not much different between the two. They both really do seem like road bars for long distance comfort.

I'm going to have to say try them both and use whatever is the most comfortable. I just recently put aerobars on my roadbike since i do lots of triathlon (already did 3 last month...) and have afew more planned for later this year.

Mukluk

This just started up (has occurred on two rides) and my right hand will feel numb when I take my hand off the brake hood. It seems to happen once or twice during a 1 hr 45 min ride. I'm going to keep an eye on it- and take action if it becomes more of a problem or doesn't go away.

Mukluk

Yes the obvious solution is to have a separate tri/TT bike. But I just spent all of my money on a new road bike so it ain't gonna happen any time soon. Unless I can start up a fund and have generous members of the BF community contribute to the cause.

TechJunkie

Built mine off of scambay for less than $500. Ultegra 9sp. Took me a while, too. My wife is less than enthusiastic about bike parts. My suggestion though, was not to make your only bike a tt/tri bike. Some people don't mind changing setups, but you're likely talking bar, stem, seatpost, shifter, brake levers,maybe saddle, too, cables and housings (most likely), and at least having to rerun and adjust all of them.

Carbonfiberboy 

I've run Syntace C-2 bars on my Trek for many years now. I just leave them on - it's too complicated moving computer, HRM, etc. No bike adjustments are required, which I why I got these particular bars. Position is about the same as having hands on the hoods and forearms almost horizontal. They do use part of the bar tops, but leave enough for me to climb with hands on bar tops.

On a long ride, I'll pull on them periodically to rest my arms. They're also good for chasing at TT pace trying to get back on after being droped on a climb. If you want to TT train, just get up there and pull for 15-20 minutes at LT and try to keep those wheels from appearing in your periphery.

About your hand: check your shoulders. Are they relaxed, same height, etc. Check your gloves or try a different pair. Sometimes the padding isn't quite right. Check the alignment of your brifters. Both the same? Does it have anything to do with which side you sleep on?

FIVE ONE SIX

don't sweat it, i know plenty of people that use their road bike for tri's. i would say to go with stubby aero-bars, that won't interfere with everyday riding, and won't cause all of the roadies to hate your guts when you go riding with them. i think the Oval Concepts 710's would be one of your better best choices, they're short and light (at least for clip-on's) and you won't even really notice them. my friend just got a pair of stubbies from Vision, i like her bars too, look into Vision Tech too..

bvfrompc

You have found a vell versed bike owner, listen to him. Shorties/jammers are for road bikes and the rest are for tri bikes. Kills me when I see some of the positions people will put themselves in using regular tri bars on a road bike.