Originally Posted by
gauvins
Thanks for the comments and links to pictures. I searched quite extensively for fit principles, but found that the vast majority are aimed at competitive athletes, mostly triathletes and time trialists.
My understanding is that there are 5 adjustments to consider (see diagram below). If you have information on how to adjust settings, I'll read with interest. At the moment I am inclined to use default settings and to keep Allen keys close by.
- Height - for touring, the suggestion is to significantly raise the aeros, which should improve comfort
- Tilt -- I didn't find much about this. The manufacturer suggests starting level. Then it is like salt: "add to taste"
- Length -- nothing here. I assume that it depends on the rider forearm's length, and on how you grab the bar
- Slant -- It looks as if several competitive riders prefer a slanted layout (prayer mantis). Others criticize it and suggest a vertical layout.
- Pad -- depends on the model. Mostly alignment. "add to taste".
From what I saw, competitive cyclists favor low and level aerobars to reduce their CdA, whereas tourers prefer raised and tilted aerobars, for comfort.
Yeah, I thought you would need to see those photos of the Great Divide race bikes, their posture is not anything like time trials or triathlons. Some of them have the pads quite a bit above the saddle height.
My niece borrowed a set of those bars for a triathalon. She had to move her saddle further forward on her road bike to make it work. The only way she got the reach right was to turn her seat post around 180 degrees so that the clamp on the seatpost was moved forward. That is not the way I would want to do it, but for a one time event, I can see doing it that way.
Add a number 6 - how far apart they are from each other. Are you a narrow shoulder person or a wide shoulder person?
But your comment on headset mounting (I assume you mean mounting on the steerer tube or stem cap) indicates you already are thinking about how to adjust reach. This one looks interesting for how to adjust reach. Has the pads quite far aft from the handlebar mounting.
https://bikepacking.com/wp-content/u...ivide-rigs.jpg
I am assuming that this one uses spacers for height.
https://bikepacking.com/wp-content/u...ivide-rigs.jpg
Other than height, you should be able to adapt as you see fit. But, height may mean more or less spacers, so that is one adjustment that involves $ and more parts if you want to raise it with more spacers and possibly longer bolts.
Also, make sure you have the bar diameter right when you order them. And you might need different handlebars to get your fit right for how far apart they are from each other.
Good luck getting this figured out. I would not even try to figure this out myself, I spend maybe one third of the time in the drops, that is good enough for me for getting aero.