pearcem

i'm looking at getting some clip-on bars for some time trials. i ride a compact goe. Allez comp. I am looking at syntace and visiontech. I'm liking the Mini's. I have heard many people say that the mini's work well for road bikes because they don't stretch you out as much (i am not going to buy a foward seatpost, i don't have the cash for an extra seat and post and all). First, does anyone here ride the minis and have any feedback on them? second, do you think minis would be a good idea for the reason i mentioned above? third, is there any way to permanently center mount my computer so i wouldn't have to relocate it every time i used the bars? and finally, here's the link to my bike. The bars start out at 31.8 at the clamp, and then taper down to 26.0 as the bars go out. What size would i need to get?

https://specialized.com/bc/SBCBkModel...keTab=techspec

Thanks!

martin_j001

There are plenty of computer mounts out there that can help you out like the FSA Control Center. If you are going to look into that at all, get a hold of krazyderek on these forums, as he is making something similar that does not have any bends in it like the FSA one does (see this thread. As far as the size goes, you'll want 31.8 since the aerobars mount next to the stem. I haven't used these before, but have heard the same recommendation that you should use the shorter aero bars on a road bike that is occassionally used for TT's. Hope this helps.

pinky

If you like the Mini's I'd check out either Profile GTs or making your own. The mini's are nice but they aren't adjustable, which is ok unless they end up being a little too short. GTs are nice since you can get a lot of positions, but if you get a pair of the clamps (which you should be able to order from Profile) you can actually cut a set of mountain bike riser bars in half and use them as a set of adjustable S-bends, and get them cheap to boot. I'll post picks of my setup in a few days (after Fitchburg)

pearcem

i would really love to see some pics of your home made setup when it's finished.

sathomasga

I think you're going to have problems with those bars. Most clip-ons are for straight 26.0 bars. The vision techs claim to be for 31.8, but the problem is very few bars are 31.8 for any significant distance either side of the stem. As with your's, they taper to a smaller diameter. The clip-ons that are 31.8 won't really install on the taper. (And believe me, when you're stretched out in the aero position on clips, the *last* thing you want to worry about is the clip-ons not staying securely attached to the bars.)

I wanted to put visiontech minis on my Tuscany and ran into this exact problem with the stock 31.8 ITM bars. I ended up replacing the bar and stem with 26.0 diameter Ritchey (I wanted the ergo bend anyway). Not as cheap as I was hoping, but I am pleased with the results. If you go that route, the minis come with shims for 26.0 bars. I had the LBS install mine since I don't have a torque wrench and (as noted above) I really wanted to be sure that the clip-ons were securely attached.

As for the ride, I've never ridden with full-size clip-ons, so I can't comment on the mini's relative to others. I can say, though, that I've had no discomfort riding on the clip-ons for extended distances. Since my 43-year-old frame isn't very flexible, there may well be something to the minis not requiring as stretched out a position. I'm actually more comfortable on the clip-ons than in the drops. (Most of my recreational riding is actually on the hoods.) One disadvantage with the minis is you lose quite a bit of the tops. I'm used to riding on the tops for steeper climbs. Still do, but now I have to jam my hands underneath the clip-ons.

As for the FSA mount, I think it's a piece of junk. It's as flimsy as can be, and there's no way you could actually press a button on your computer. Then again, it is light. (Of course, if you end up with 26.0 bars you can't use the FSA mount anyway.)