dploy

New to a road bike after a long time on a hybrid. Neighbor let me try his Cervelo (not TT model) w/aero bars and I loved the comfort & positioning - but not sure if they are right for the new C'dale Synapse. After the clipless etc bull$hit addons I am hesitant to spend more $$.

Soooo, any negatives or examples why I SHOULDN'T"T get aero bars? ie. back problems, etc. TIA

pdedes

clipless good. clip-on bars bad.

jdon

If you like them, use them.

Mr. Beanz

I used them years ago, actully liked them. But once I started doing a variety of rides including climbing, seemeed they did nothing more than take up hand positions. I'd use them on a TT or a long flat long distance ride (eg double century).

Velo Gator

I've always liked clip on aero bars.

gazelle5333

depends on the riding...I loved mine on my old Allez Elite and even more on my Tarmac, but you said you had a Synapse...don't know if I'd suggest putting aerobars on a relaxed geometry bike. I have the feeling it could get kinda hairy with the slower steering response. However I could also be sorely mistaken.

I know...not much help, but that's my two cents worth. I don't think you would get any other benefit other than an alternate position(on the bars instead of on the flat part of the handlebars). Plus, if you aren't going to be racing tri's or riding LONG charity events, there is no use for them.

pdedes

aerobars of any kind for tt's only. they remind me of abject suffering at speed.

Seattle Forrest

Right. No benefit for most road riding, other than another hand-position. ( And get ones with flip-up pads so you don't lose the tops. ) But you don't have access to the brakes in that position, and it takes longer to get to them than when you're in the tops. Plus, your ability to turn is pretty limited. So it's a position you can only use when the situation allows.

If you're going to make a lot of use of the bars, you need to adjust your seat, and that's going to sacrifice comfort when you're using the rest of the bars.

mountainjesus

I suppose it might be reasonable if you tried it and liked the position already, were riding mostly long stretches of flat roads and had a saddle with a decently long nose. Otherwise the drop position would achieve most of the aero benefits you desire without all the negative factors mentioned above.

simonaway427

doesn't make much sense, to me anyways, to buy a relaxed geometry bike, only to put aero bars on them.....

FlashBazbo

Aero bars on a general-use road bike aren't terribly useful and, in a pack or paceline, can be rather hazardous. In a tight group, I do NOT want a guy riding aero bars drafting me.

Of least importance (but not of no importance), is the Fred factor. Fred really, really likes aero bars on a non-TT bike.

dploy

Excellent comments - Thank you!

1> Who & what is the 'Fred factor' all about? Is that lika a Wannabe?

2> I am in N. FL - all flat so that does fit. I run about 2 hrs a day on all flat US1.

3> I found the aero bars a comfort benefit...sort of why I have the Synapse in the first place. But not sure the comfort was a perception or reality. Just seems like it's nice to have another option. BUT...

4> I do plan on riding in organized rolls offered in the community. Will I get $hit for having them? Would someone actually ask me not to run because I'm using aeros?

5> Sorry I dont have a fifth - things just look better when they come in fives. Wonder what that says bout my personality? (Don't answer that)

The comments are useful. Thanks

Velo Gator

Totally unrelated, but I ride in Ponte Vedra all the time, if you're ever looking for someone to ride with...

1. Yes

4. Probably. The groups I've been to around here are squirrely about aero bars.

ErichM

Most groups don't like you using aero bars because you can't brake.

DScott

If you want to actually ride your bike, forget about them. If you want a couch on wheels, feel free. Besides most people set them up so high they look like they're asleep at the deli counter.

awesomejack

3. I believe the saying goes something like, if you're comfortable in a TT position, you aren't aero. And if you're getting aero, you aren't comfortable.

So if you actually feel comfortable on your bars, then you aren't gaining any aerodynamic benefit, and you're loosing steering, braking, visibility, and a hand position

dploy

Tried to PM you but it said I was too newbe...

I'm doing that Micklers > Vilano stretch in the morning...seems about 16miles. How's the traffic? Anything I should know? I bought from Dale and Ralph at Bike Fitters at Micklers and so far so good.

solbrothers

i just threw clip on aero bars on my old trek. its pretty cool. for only like $40 shipped on ebay, you really cant go wrong

achoo

Sure you can.

They can screw up the fit of your saddle royally so you get a big bleeding saddle sore that gets badly infected and turns into a nasty ulcer.

Likely? No. But you sure CAN go wrong with 'em.

I've used them at times, when my riding schedule allowed me to get out early enough to get into a TT position and just hammer away for 45 minutes to an hour non-stop. I didn't think a dedicated TT bike was a good solution for those few months. But if you can't safely get into an aero position for a good long period of time, like others have posted the only thing they offer is a different position at the expense of taking away other positions.

IMO if you need clip-on bars for those additional positions there's something wrong with the fit of your bike.

Quel

I have aero bars...on my tri bike, which I use for racing tris. I don't have aero bars on my road bike, which I use for riding with other people.

king-tony

I have some, but I do not use them for normal purposes. I sharpened the ends as it allows me to work toward the front of group rides with little resistance. I just wish USAC would allow me to run them in races....

One thing to consider if you do get them, most carbon bar manufacturers will not warranty bars if they even suspect aero bars have been clamped on. With round aluminum bars it would not be an issue. If you like them, get them and don't worry about what others think. The only issue would be in group rides, please don't use them as your hands are too far away from your breaks and steering is more difficult.

Velo Gator

Micklers to Vilano is nice. Going into the wind on the way down, usually. Crosswinds can kick up too, but you should be fine. Traffic is used to bikes, I never have much problem.

rufvelo

Aero bars are for TT rides.

And no we don't let anyone ride with us even if they have the most sophisticated braking mechanism at their aero fingertips....but then we also don't approve of anyone riding with flat bars, riding no handed etc, etc.

Blackdays

Don't be the tool that shows up to a group ride with aero bars.

ciocc_cat

+1