As I was riding yesterday I kept looking at the bars (Trek 7300 hybrid) and thinking, "you know, if I had a set of bar ends mounted inboard of the grips/shifters/brakes I'd have an alternate riding position that would tuck my elbows in and pull me forward a little for better aerodynamics."

So, I have three questions. First, am I overlooking some good reason not to do this? Second, have any of you done this and if so how's the ride?. Third, would I need to remove the grips and controls to slide the bar ends on or are there bar ends with two-piece clamps?

Thanks,
John

Halfhearted,

Most of the bar ends that I have dealt with would require you to remove things from the bar to install them because they don't have a two piece clamp. I would think that you would have really bad handling while using the bar ends in this way because all of your steering input is coming from the center of the bars. The position you would be put in seems like it would be a bit more uncomfortable than you might think. A set of aero bars, like those used by Time trialers/triathelets/tourers on road bikes might be the answer if there are no issues with mounting them on your bars. These also give you a place to rest your arms and postion your hands considerably farther out from the bars than would a set of bar ends. You would still lose some handling when using them. Getting a set of these would probably be more expensive than using the bar ends. And you have to remember that in either situation, you aren't near your brake levers as you would be on the bars in a regualy riding position unless you've got a special setup. Shimano sells bar-end mounted shifter levers, though.

I would stick with the current setup or get a set of areo bars. Personally, using bar ends in the center of the bars while riding just doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Then again, I've never tried it, so I guess you would only truly find out from experience. For fast, relatively short bursts of speed (like to catch somebody ahead of you) you can tuck by holding onto the center of the bars near the stem and pulling yourself down and into the bike farther.

-Moab

Thanks for the reply Moab. I may not have been clear where I meant to place the bars. I'm not talking about in close to the stem, but just inside the controls, where they'd still be about 12" apart. Even then you're right that some steering force would be lost, but I'm only looking for an alternate position for clear, smooth stretches.

I think next week I'll run by the LBS and see what they have in bar ends. I was really hoping somebody would tell me they all have two-piece clamps so I wouldn't have to manhandle the grips off

Come to think of it, it won't be a loss, anyway. If they don't work out mounted inside I can always move them out to the ends.

John

The Italian company Cinelli, famed for their high quality bike bits invented a type called Spinacci, which are designed to attach to the top of road bike drop bars, and protrude forward , but not as far as full aero bars. They are good to use and safe in the event of a crash, but have been banned for use in racing.
https://www.cinelli.it/eng/bici/estensioni/index.html

MichaelW,

Thanks for the link. Those look like they have real possibilities. Not just one but two new hand positions!

Is there a significant difference in the outside diameter of dropped bars vs. hybrid bars (i.e. will the clamps fit a hybrid)?

Thanks,
John