jrossbeck

Just curious for those who use them, I just got a used set of Aerostryke bars to put on my back up bike. I will be getting used to them on the trainer over the winter and possibly use them next year if I decide to do any triathlon style races (loop style so they should be approved).

If I mount the bars straight to the handlebars - will they scratch/mark up the paint? They are two bolt clamp style, with a little row of "teeth" on the top clamp arc. If so, would simply wrapping a few winds of electrical tape between the clamp style mount and the bars be sufficient to prevent this, or are there any other tricks? I'm not 100% concerned about minor scratching, but would like to prevent if at all possible.

pdedes

putting on electrical tape will ensure that the aerobars slip

canam73

Sounds like you will just have to buy a TT bike.

Campag4life

If an expensive handlebar, shelf it and install an inexpensive bar like the aluminum FSA Compact Wing which is aero bar compatible...but has a nice hook shape. There is no getting around some light marring of the handlebar when mounting aerobars. If you try to buffer this with tape, the aerobars will slip...no good.

hueyhoolihan

when i was a boy, my best friends parents put stiff clear plastic covers on all their fabric covered furniture. fifty years later, after they died, the furniture was sold, sans covers, and the fabric was, not surprisingly, much like new.

they, my friend, and anybody that ever sat on those damned awful pieces of furniture suffered for it. so, i say, live a little and put the aero bars on, they will mar the handlebar a little, but so what?

OTOH, since it's going to be on a trainer, there's little harm in trying out a few types of protective material between the bar and the aero bars. i've had little success in doing that out on the road where stresses are more dramatic, but it won't hurt to try.

Campag4life

You are so right.
Which brings to mind a golfing analogy as part of the great golfer Ken Venturi's legacy. Ken Venturi who was a protégé of the great Ben Hogan when standing on the tee pumped 3 new titlist balls in a row into the water on a long windy par 3. His caddy went on to ask, Mr. Venturi, wouldn't it make sense to use a used ball for this hole and not open another fresh sleeve? Venturi bristled and said, sunny boy, I will let my successors play used balls. While I'm here, I will tee up a new ball every time. He is an old man now and no doubt doesn't have any regrets.

hueyhoolihan

from what i've heard about Mr. Venturi's temper, that caddy was a brave lad.

jrossbeck

Thanks all - I did use the tape and noticed that I can rotate the bars if I try hard enough despite a tight clamp tension. Definitely will remove tape and just live with the scratches. Lesson learned.

Bunyanderman

Buy time trial bars that are made to clip on the head tube.
270mm Uberhund Straight Time Trial Triathlon TT Handlebars Aerobar Aero Bar 31 8 | eBay

New Time Trial Carbon Fiber TT Bar Triathlon Bike Handlebar Stem 90mm UD Matte | eBay

kv501

Neither one of those clip on the head tube.

The first one clamps in a stem, and the second one has an integrated stem.

Campag4life

To be a caddy of a pro golfer, you almost need a degree in psychology. A very hard game of mm's competing against those with unbelievable skill in all kinds of weather conditions. Most...not all top players had pretty explosive temperaments...a lot of fire to compete and win. The best could channel it.

DaveLeeNC

For completeness sake, Ken Venturi is in the Golf Hall of Fame (14 victories including one US Open in an injury shortened playing career, LONG time golf announcer). He died in 2013.

dave

FLvector

If not too late, you could try double-sided sticky tape. If it doesn't work, then live with the minor scratches.

DaveLeeNC

Back in 1971 I went to a golf exhibition with Arnold Palmer and Frank Beard (at the course that Frank was opening in the Louisville area). This was just maybe 200 spectators and Arnie/Frank playing a round of golf. But it was clearly competitive between them.

No ropes so we could get pretty close. On the first hole Frank had hit a horrible drive and Arnie had a bit over 100 yards to the green. Arnie hit is short iron on the back, maybe 30' past the pin. I was only 30 or so feet away and Arnie glared at his caddy saying "I thought you said it was 125".

The caddy said "it is".

Arnie said (with even more of a glare) "it is 125 to my ball". And competitions almost can't get any more low key than this.

dave

Looigi

Double sticky tape will be doubly bad, as the sticky is a big part of the problem. It's soft and moves and flows. In my experience the surfaces on the bars and clamps need to be completely clean and the clamps fully tightened to specified torque to reduce the possibility of the bars moving when you hit bumps. Hit a big enough bump and they'll still move, but not usually enough to prevent continued riding.

Friction paste for CF bars....