gazelle5333

Got clip-on aero bars for my allez elite over spring break and went for my longest ride yet with them on Monday (a very hilly 40 miles) However, I noticed I was sore in a couple places after adjusting my set-up a little from where I had it. Here's what I did:

- Added the bars right next to the stem (practically touching)
- Tweaked the bars til they fit fine without changing anything else (no pain then)
- Felt way too high so I pulled 2 spacers out from beneath the stem to get more aggressive
- Went on a 10 mile ride, visited with a friend, then biked another 10 home (still no pain)
- Rode the 40 and OUCH

I developed a slight pain in my right knee, and in my lower back. Also, it felt like I was holding myself up when I got into the drops.

My immediate thought is to move the seat back a little, but I haven't done anything yet. Anyone have any thoughts on what it could be? And no, I don't have any pictures. My entire family questioned my buying the bars in the first place b/c road bikes aren't made for for them/the bike wouldn't do what it was meant to do/etc etc., so if anyone hears of pain, I'll never hear the end of the "I told you so". Plus I'm a college student so money isn't there for a full fit.

I've gotten one response from Beginner Triathlete and Slowtwitch combined...the person said move up and spend the money on a fit. Any input is appreciated

Triguy

Giving fit advice is tough online, it's even tougher when your just going by descriptions.

Here is what my general mantra is: don't mess with a good fit on your road bike for the purposes of getting in to a tri position. By all means put aerobars on your road bike, but don't go messing with the fit of your road position, because that is the bread and butter of the bike.

I would say go back to your original position on the bike and add the clip ons, adjust so that they are comfortable. Even if you aren't super low, it will still be faster because it is drawing your arms and shoulders in.

You've already bought the clip ons but this is why certain bars are better for road bikes. Typically the pads sit low to the base bar and have slightly shorter extensions.

StanSeven

Another potential cause of soreness, especially with your knee, is you are using your legs differently - different use of quad, glutes, and hamstrings in an aero position

Tourmalet

You can do this one of two ways.

Keep the road fit just as it is (assuming you got fitted correctly in the first place!) and get shortie aerobars (20cm). Adjust the aerobars until you feel the most comfortable. They shouldn't be so close together BTW. Typical center pad to center pad spacing is 20-25 cm.

That will preserve the road fit and get you into a mediocrely comfortable aero position. You will find yourself getting out of it and into the hoods to stretch your back every 5-10 minutes.

If you don't care about your road fit, you should change the geometry entirely and find a super comfy tri position. Purchase a forward facing seatpost stem and place the nose of the seat about 4cm behind the center of the BB (way way forward in comparison to a road position). Get a tri specific saddle with a thick padded nose. Finally get long clip-on aerobars (28-30cm). You may also need to change the stem length depending on your reach. To put it all together, you MUST find a good fitter and get yourself fitted! There's no substitute for a proper fit.

ac29593

Interesting thread, since I was thinking about this tonight when riding on my trainer.

I have a road bike, feel very comfortable on it, never any pain, ride and pedal smooth. In the drops my legs have just enough room below my chest to be borderline on the uncomfortable side, but never crossing the line (had my seat be a fraction lower I might be too compact or bunched up).

I thought about what the feel would be like if I added tri bars, since I never rode a bike with one or in that position. I rested elbows and forearms on the top off my handlebars in the middle, stretched my arms out as if I had tri bars, while lowering my back a bit to get into position while I kept pedaling. What I noticed was that in this position my legs were too close to my chest and my pedaling was uncomfortable and inefficient.....I couldnt keep a smooth stroke. Knowing that I only need a few mm more height to my saddle I raised it slightly until I was pedaling in circles again.

Once I felt this comfort zone (and this was a very small adjustment) I went back to the basic road position (bars, hoods, drops), and seemed to like it a bit more with the adjustment.

Is this something that should be considered when doing a road bike fit, basically being perfectly comfortable in all positions, including if you slapped tri bars on the bike?

I never thought of things this way, and not sure why it wouldnt make sense. I know that time trial positions usually have a saddle more forward to work different muscle groups, but the seat height and reach to the area where the bars are should be somewhat consistent, given the fact that the 4 positions (bars, hoods, drops, tri bars) really have more to do with how aerodynamic you are trying to get yourself.

GUGS

I would suggest going to youtube and finding some input and video for setting up a tri bike. I did this with my road bike as best as one can. I have noticed more power when I ride now. Maybe it is in my head, but it seems like a stronger stroke. I have not added areo bars and do not intend to, however I have droped down on my trainer as if I had aeros and it was fine, but not until I made the adjustments. And none of this cost me a dime, just time on the internet looking for set up advice.