Anyone else dislike "aero" bars?
03-20-09, 08:48 AM
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Anyone else dislike "aero" bars?
Or is it just me?
I have tried Profile, Syntace, Ascent, Scott 1-pc, and even took a set of Scott 1-pc and cut it in half, tried the sides independently mounted. I find the only way I can really feel confident is to put foward pressure against each, but things still get pretty squirmy when I move to shift or brake.
I simply prefer drops, even to the riding the hoods. If I knew how to do polling, I'd set something up....
I ride drops 75% of the time, on any ride, and 100% when going fast. I have been on 4 group rides with a bunch of velo/tri folks. Every single time, one of them has gone over the bars while tucked. Is it really worth it in repair expense and road rash?
Anyone else?
I have tried Profile, Syntace, Ascent, Scott 1-pc, and even took a set of Scott 1-pc and cut it in half, tried the sides independently mounted. I find the only way I can really feel confident is to put foward pressure against each, but things still get pretty squirmy when I move to shift or brake.
I simply prefer drops, even to the riding the hoods. If I knew how to do polling, I'd set something up....
I ride drops 75% of the time, on any ride, and 100% when going fast. I have been on 4 group rides with a bunch of velo/tri folks. Every single time, one of them has gone over the bars while tucked. Is it really worth it in repair expense and road rash?
Anyone else?
03-20-09, 08:52 AM
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Maybe as I get rid of the gut (193# this morning) it will be more comfortable, but at this point I just don't like 'em.
Don't like the squirrilly handling, either. There's a reason they're not legal in mass-start races.
Don't like the squirrilly handling, either. There's a reason they're not legal in mass-start races.
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03-20-09, 08:55 AM
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Don't own any and have no desire to own any. I think I still have that old bias against all
things "Tri" which first showed up in the 80's. There were 'Cyclists' and then there were Tri Guys and
the two were seen to be miles apart when it came to technique.
Marty
things "Tri" which first showed up in the 80's. There were 'Cyclists' and then there were Tri Guys and
the two were seen to be miles apart when it came to technique.
Marty
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Sono più lento di quel che sembra.
Odio la gente, tutti.
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Sono più lento di quel che sembra.
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03-20-09, 08:57 AM
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I have ridden a few and don't much care for them either.
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03-20-09, 09:05 AM
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I put them on for Sprint Triathlons and then take them right back off. Ugly but they help a little on the flats. It's weird, I ride 20-40 miles for fun or for training no problem. But in the Triathlon the 16 or so mile ride is right after the swim, which wipes me out, and every little bit helps so I use the clip on aero bars only then.
"Scott 1-pc, and even took a set of Scott 1-pc and cut it in half, tried the sides independently mounted."
I did the exact same thing. And I still hate them but I'll be damned if I going to spend any more money on Tri stuff.
"Scott 1-pc, and even took a set of Scott 1-pc and cut it in half, tried the sides independently mounted."
I did the exact same thing. And I still hate them but I'll be damned if I going to spend any more money on Tri stuff.
03-20-09, 09:20 AM
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I've tried them and have never been comfortable with them. I do use them on the trainer bike in the winter. I ride 75% of the time on the hoods - just always have.
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03-20-09, 09:31 AM
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This year will be funny for me. I have an almost normal bike, my new to me >22 pound Schwinn Peloton I just built this winter. The last two years I went to the triathlon's with an '81 Traveler. Two tone, red and white. 27"x1.25" gumwall tires. Polished alloy. 26+lbs. Kickstand. $10 butchered 25 year old Scott aero bars.......
03-20-09, 09:40 AM
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1959 Bottecchia Milano-Sanremo(frame), 1966 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1971 Bottecchia Professional (frame),
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03-20-09, 09:43 AM
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A race is one thing but I think riding on public roads with aero bars is foolish and dangerous. Maneuvering and braking are severely compromised. I've used them in Time Trails. You really have to train with them to be able to use them effectively. If you just throw them on for today's race I don't think you are doing yourself any favors.
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1973 Bottecchia Gran Turismo, 1974 Bottecchia Special, 1977 Bottecchia Special (frame),
1974 Peugeot UO-8, 1988 Panasonic PT-3500, 2002 Bianchi Veloce, 2004 Bianchi Pista
1959 Bottecchia Milano-Sanremo(frame), 1966 Bottecchia Professional (frame), 1971 Bottecchia Professional (frame),
1973 Bottecchia Gran Turismo, 1974 Bottecchia Special, 1977 Bottecchia Special (frame),
1974 Peugeot UO-8, 1988 Panasonic PT-3500, 2002 Bianchi Veloce, 2004 Bianchi Pista
03-20-09, 09:58 AM
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"You really have to train with them to be able to use them effectively. If you just throw them on for today's race I don't think you are doing yourself any favors. "
That has occured to me. But it seems to help having that 4th hand position when I'm chilling out on the flats resting up for the run that finishes the triathlon.
That has occured to me. But it seems to help having that 4th hand position when I'm chilling out on the flats resting up for the run that finishes the triathlon.
03-20-09, 10:07 AM
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03-20-09, 10:08 AM
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"You really have to train with them to be able to use them effectively. If you just throw them on for today's race I don't think you are doing yourself any favors. "
That has occured to me. But it seems to help having that 4th hand position when I'm chilling out on the flats resting up for the run that finishes the triathlon.
That has occured to me. But it seems to help having that 4th hand position when I'm chilling out on the flats resting up for the run that finishes the triathlon.
03-20-09, 10:19 AM
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If you are a serious time trial rider, they are necessary. I have never really cared for them.
I traded my last set to some guy on some internet site about old bikes.
I traded my last set to some guy on some internet site about old bikes.
03-20-09, 10:34 AM
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I have a few points to make.
1. Riding in the aero bars on a group ride is stupid and you deserve to get hurt if you do.
2. You do have to train in them a little and it should be on solo rides or rides where you are not riding in a pack.
3. You cannot just clip aero bars on your bike and expect them to work. Your whole fit must be changed, you need to move you seat position and probably shorten your stem so of course there is no way they are going to feel good. Tri fitment is even more involved than road fitting and I think there is a less room for error.
1. Riding in the aero bars on a group ride is stupid and you deserve to get hurt if you do.
2. You do have to train in them a little and it should be on solo rides or rides where you are not riding in a pack.
3. You cannot just clip aero bars on your bike and expect them to work. Your whole fit must be changed, you need to move you seat position and probably shorten your stem so of course there is no way they are going to feel good. Tri fitment is even more involved than road fitting and I think there is a less room for error.
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03-20-09, 11:28 AM
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I have a few points to make.
1. Riding in the aero bars on a group ride is stupid and you deserve to get hurt if you do.
2. You do have to train in them a little and it should be on solo rides or rides where you are not riding in a pack.
3. You cannot just clip aero bars on your bike and expect them to work. Your whole fit must be changed, you need to move you seat position and probably shorten your stem so of course there is no way they are going to feel good. Tri fitment is even more involved than road fitting and I think there is a less room for error.
1. Riding in the aero bars on a group ride is stupid and you deserve to get hurt if you do.
2. You do have to train in them a little and it should be on solo rides or rides where you are not riding in a pack.
3. You cannot just clip aero bars on your bike and expect them to work. Your whole fit must be changed, you need to move you seat position and probably shorten your stem so of course there is no way they are going to feel good. Tri fitment is even more involved than road fitting and I think there is a less room for error.
03-20-09, 11:47 AM
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They´re so good damn ugly and they make bikes look...good damn ugly!
03-20-09, 12:19 PM
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My first bike in many years was a tri bike so I got used to them right off the bat and love them so my experience is the opposite of most people's here. In fact, I just got a road bike and riding in the drops feels totally alien at this point.
cyclotoine hit the nail on the head about fitment with aero bars though.
cyclotoine hit the nail on the head about fitment with aero bars though.
03-20-09, 02:00 PM
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I need the control and stability that a good set of drops provides. I also concur that nothing looks as "right" on a road bike as traditional drops.
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03-20-09, 02:36 PM
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They're alright, I guess.
I have a feeling a lot of people who ride them use them due to an incorrectly-sized bike, compensating for bad riding position/configuration.
I have a feeling a lot of people who ride them use them due to an incorrectly-sized bike, compensating for bad riding position/configuration.
03-20-09, 03:20 PM
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You guys are showing your swollen prosate fat old man Luddite tendencies again. I have used a variety of aerobars over the years. They work. I even but them on a MTB turned suburban assault vehicle to ride into the wind.
1) There is no reasonable debate -- they make you faster. For me, I can pick up 10% plus in speed simply by going down to the aero bars.
2) Properly installed and fit, they are very comfortable and allow a good break from drops or bullhorns. It is true, aerobars will let you go farther, faster.
3) They are wind killers.
4) It takes some practice, but once you are adjusted, they are stable. No, I don't use them in group rides or in traffic. But give me relatively straight road, I'll be on the bars.
Here is a pic of my Quintana Roo Santo. This bike rides like a blade. Since most of my routes require me to be on the horns about 50% of the time, I modified the control center to allow shifting from the horns.
When on the aero bar, it is no big deal to move my hand four inches to shift. By the way, since this shot, I am using a different saddle set a little straighter, a Profile FastForward seatpost, and a different aerobar set up below the horns.
1) There is no reasonable debate -- they make you faster. For me, I can pick up 10% plus in speed simply by going down to the aero bars.
2) Properly installed and fit, they are very comfortable and allow a good break from drops or bullhorns. It is true, aerobars will let you go farther, faster.
3) They are wind killers.
4) It takes some practice, but once you are adjusted, they are stable. No, I don't use them in group rides or in traffic. But give me relatively straight road, I'll be on the bars.
Here is a pic of my Quintana Roo Santo. This bike rides like a blade. Since most of my routes require me to be on the horns about 50% of the time, I modified the control center to allow shifting from the horns.
When on the aero bar, it is no big deal to move my hand four inches to shift. By the way, since this shot, I am using a different saddle set a little straighter, a Profile FastForward seatpost, and a different aerobar set up below the horns.
Last edited by RFC; 03-20-09 at 03:29 PM.