Originally Posted by VegaVixen
Most everyone I know claims an increase in average speed at TT of about 1 mph when using aerobars. I've never ridden any of my road routes completely on aerobars, so I can't say by how much they'd increase a roadspeed average. I do know that my average speed over certain relatively flat sections (maybe for half a mile) went up by about 3-4 mph, but I doubt that I could sustain that average increase over a 22+ mile route.
First time you try them out, either do it in a large empty parking lot, or on a low-traffic, long, straight stretch of road with no hills to climb. I put my left elbow on the pads first, then the right. Feels squirrelly at first (which is why you want no traffic and a straight, non-hilly stretch of road). With nothing coming, steer the bike toward the center line, then back toward the right of the lane. Just gradual shifts. Get used to the feel of how the bike responds with your new weight distribution. Put your right hand on the right hood, then left hand on left hood. Repeat. You'll be amazed at how quickly you get used to it, and learn to use your body to help steer and at how easily you learn to maintain balance while moving onto and off of the aerobars.
Most importantly, don't show fear. Aerobars can
sense fear.
This is a big deal. Your control will change a lot at first. You no longer
will have any leverage to steer and all you will have is balance. If you
have the same degree of difficulty adjusting that I did then you will
eventually be a better biker from the improved use of balance but it
will be frustrating at first. Fortunately, on my first try I didn't just
ride down the hill from my house with them. I usually hit 38-40 there.
I got onto a slightly rolling road with a painted bike lane about 1 yard
wide. It was a struggle to stay in the bike lane. No exaggeration.
They really do make you faster and have a good time. One more
caution: don't use them if you ride with anyone, much less a group.