Inverted

I'm fairly new to the sport, I've put down maybe 500 miles or so but I'm averaging a little over 18 mph over this 30 mi (hilly) course. It's down the access road and back, basically. The issue with where I ride is that there is always a strong headwind, which seems to change directions and still hit me when I do the 180. I spend most of my time- probably 80%- down in the drops or with my hands on the hoods and my arms resting on the bar in a somewhat-aero possition (someone posted a picture a while back, but I can't find it).

I'm not so much concerned with speed as I am comfort, and if speed is a bi-produce of being in a more aero possition and comfortable- such as when I'm in the drops which I love- then so be it. I really want to increase my distance, but comfort will play a part in that than moreso than fitness.

My question is, are aero bars worth it? I was really eyeing a pair of $60 clip-ons at the LBS, and I am really tempted to pick them up when I go back for another jersey, but I figured I'd post on here first before I make a stupid decision.

So,
relatively new rider
~500 miles under my belt
in good shape and want to increase my distance, but worried about comfort
Really want aero bars, but am weary of getting something too early that I really don't need

Thoughts? Opinions? Suggestions?

Serpico

I don't see any reason, unless you're training for TT or Tri

Jakey

If you feel the need to get them for comfort, you probably need to be fit to your bike better.

Inverted

Well, moreso riding against some heavy wind resistance and comfort being down in an aero possition (as opposed to in the drops). The bike fit feels fine, it's just fighting the wind that makes me display some really funny faces.

Tequila Joe

I use Profile Design GT Jammer clip-ons for long rides around 100 km & over. It gives me another position to ride in as well as being more aero. I would say that it adds 2-3 km/hr to my speed with the same amount of effort. See https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/147454-show-your-dashboard-photos-here.html post #22.


T.J.

EDIT: I use the aero bars for long Solo rides. i.e. banff to Calgary. I do not use them when riding in groups.

ManBearPig

Use of aero bars is typically considered proper only for specific types of riding requiring max output for limited periods of time, such as time trialing and triathalons. The reason being that the position it places you in really sacrifices control for aerodynamics. This means you have less control, which is an important factor in common riding situations such as group riding or simply riding in proximity to other riders. In other words, they are generally not advised for general riding, as their use can be unsafe. On an otherwise properly fitted bike, aero bars are actually considered less comfortable -- again, the sacrifice being for a slight advantage in aerodynamics.

I see alot of riders using them along my regular club route, and as far as I can tell this often comes from ignorance. When you watch cycling on TV, the look of aero bars really stands out. For example, the lay person sees Lance Armstrong time-trialing with aero bars, but there is a disconnect with the viewer as to why he is using them. The viewer is stuck with an image in his/her mind that serious cyclists have bikes with aero bars. The result being that uninformed or ill-advised newbies will often purchase aero bars, believing they are an essential component to being a serious roadie.

Unfortunately, most situations in which I see riders using aero bars are situations in which using an aero bar is not ideal. For example, you see lots of people huffing and puffing along the usual routes, tucked in their aero positions, and not moving particularly fast. Many times there are other conspicuous things -- for example, I have seen many riders tucked in their aero positions with a cadence that is too slow for what they are doing. This, to me, corroborates that these particular riders are ignorant or inexperienced.

Occasionally you will see a rider riding solo, tucked in his aero bars, amongst other riders, and the tucked rider happens to be practicing for a time trial or triathalon. In these cases, it is a judgement call, in that the rider may be exposing surrounding riders to unnecessary danger, but at least the rider is training with the bars for a specific purpose.

In short, don't purchase aero bars just because you see Lance using them. They are not for general purpose cycling. There are enough positions available on a properly fitted bike, between the hoods and the drops, to render aero bars unnecessary.

ZappCatt

If you typically ride solo on long straight, windy(not winding) stretches of road, aerobars can rock. Most of my rides are solo, so I typically am on my aerobars when fighting the wind.

I do not use them when I am climbing, cornering, or riding in groups.

bhh

I have to agree with Towlie here. Learn to ride a "pure" road bike efficiently and powerful first before adding on "extras". In some ways it is analogous to trying to run before you can walk. There is actually a lot of skill involved in being a strong, efficient rider and aero bars will complicate mastering those basic skills rather than help you develop them. Also, riding with aero bars without those basic skills, you will look like a tool.

cmcenroe

I read in so many places that if you are planning to do long rides, it is a good idea to bring the aero bars that, as a newbie, I went ahead and picked up Profile Airstryke bars. I am right around 500 miles now, and I don't ride around on the aero bars all day. I use them in the flats or with a head wind when there is one. Hopefully I don't look like a tool, I just think it is nice to have another position to ride.

I am not really sure how they would complicate things, could you explain?

Inverted

Well my thinking is that there is a reason they use them in TTs, and not on flat stages. But that being the case, I have heard a lot of people swear by their aeros/the comfort they provide.

Though admittedly, it never really occured to me about the lack of control you mentioned. For $60, is it still a bad idea? It sounds like a *fairly* cheap price to pay for a bit of comfort on the longer rides, but if they are that much of a hindrance I might have to reconcider.

At any rate, I love my drops. Love. Love. Love. Love my drops! Hate the Sora when working in combination however.......

dstacyh

I got aero bars when I got my bike, I rarely use them and may take them off soon. But my longest distance has been about 35-40 miles.

bhh

This is all my IMHO. And I want to add that I "found" cycling as a runner who needed a way to cross train during marathon training. I bought a bike and the next thing I did was buy aerobars. Hell, if I like this biking thing, maybe I will do a triathlon at some point. Cut to about 4 years later. I don't run anymore as injuries finally caught up with me and am really working hard to become a better, stronger and more efficient cyclist.

In retrospect, those aerobars on my bike for the first 2 years was the biggest waste of time ever. Again, this is my OPINION based on my experience. Nothing more. I think learning to be efficient on the bike is incredible important to be a strong cyclist and good form is perhaps the biggest part of this. To me, good form includes proper position on the bike to facilitate good power transfer, developing good core strength, learning bike handling skills that can save your life, and learning how to deal with hills & winds effectively through gear selection and cadence. All of these are skills that that riding with aerobars detract from.

I'm not saying there isn't a place for them. Hell, I may pull mine out of the closet and clip them on my trainer bike for the winter to make the trainer more comfortable. What I am saying, again IMHO, is that for someone who is relatively new to cycling, there is a lot to learn that aerobars clearly obfuscate.

The reason I say "tool" is because when I look at pictures of myself from back then when I had jerky pedaling, terrible cadence, and rocked all over the bike trying to hang on to my aerobars, that is exactly what I looked like. That certainly doesn't mean you do. I just think that time would have been better served w/o them. It wasn't like I was in a race where they shaved off precious seconds. A little more wind (and hills) would have just made me stronger.

adxm

I think if you feel like you can control your bike well, and are in situations where they would be appropriate, which it sounds like you are, you should go ahead and pick them up. I think towlie's off the mark here. Aerobars are certainly not just for high power short events...why do 100% of RAAM riders and other ultramarathon cyclists use them then?

It adds to the comfort of longer rides because you can change your body positions, and it increases your speed as well. Also, they're just fun, and there's nothing wrong with that. They have greatly improved my comfort and performance on my last few double centuries. That's not to say that I use them all the time, but for their purpose, they're a great and inexpensive addon to your bike.

StanSeven

I'm with adxm here. Although I no longer use them, aero bars are comfortable, add another riding position, and allow you to go faster.

The main reason they are frowned on in group rides is because your hands are a long way from the brakes. You can't stop as quick in a panic situation. Anyone with a few miles experience can control a bike with aero bars.

merlinextraligh

Unless your doing time trials or triathlons, just say no to aerobars. You say your doing 18mph on a hilly course. In these cricumstances, the added pound of weight is more of a detriment, than any aero advantage from occassional use of the bars. Plus many judgemental types, like myself will look down their nose at you.

As for comfort I've spent my share of time riding on aerobars, in time trials and training for them, and I don't find anything comfortable about them.

cmcenroe

Man, I have a triple, aerobars, what's next... a yellow disco jersey? *shudders*

cmcenroe

BTW

one reason not to use them is that they get in the way of your climbing position unless you buy a pair that flips out of the way like the Profile Airstryke.

Bob S.

Good input. My preferences are along this line. For the price, try them. Your currnet riding route/habbits sound as though you may find them useful.

If you don't like them, pull them back off. Bob

Inverted

I am sure I am doing this wrong, but I usually either climb down in the drops, or if it gets really steap I'll get out of the saddle with my hands on the hoods. The only time my hands are....well, anywhere but the drops really, are when I'm just taking a breather on a flat or something and I have my hands about where the aero bar armrests would be.

bvfrompc

To sum up the arguments:

Comfort - There is a comfortable fit for traditional road biking and a comfortable fit for aero bar use. They are not the same. A properly fit bike with aero bars is going to be very comfortable. The only ones who will argue that a properly fit aero position isn't comfortable hasn't had a properly fit aero position.

Speed - You will go faster, use less energy, be more efficient with the aero bars.

Groups - Do not use them while riding with groups, you posted about riding alone, hmmm, that means your not with a group, sounds like your ok here.

Only for TTs and Tris, becuase you would only want to be faster, more comfortable when riding in a race?

Only Use Limited periods of time/Short bursts - See RAAM as mentioned before

Control - yes, when you are cornering, high speed descending or coming to a stop, get out of your aero bars, takes about 5 minutes of riding to figure this one out.

Yes, the only people who ride in aero bars are those who saw Lance ride in a TT or those that like to ride alone, fast, and comfortable.

John H.

Skip the aero bars. Just find a riding route in the opposite direction. You should have the wind at your back the whole time!

Keith99

They don't use the aero bars on flat stages because they are not legal. They are not legal because the pros do not have enough control to be safe for pack riding. If the winds you speak of are gusts I would strongly advise against it. But if it is a long straight road without too many intersections and traffic it could be worthwhile. In any case I would not advise using the aerobars at intersections.

Jaye

This was my take on things as well, I wound up buying a set of the Profile Century bars for $55 rode them for about 40 miles and decided I didn't like them, turned around and was able to resell them to one of the guys in my club two days later for $45. I cured my curiosity for $10 and he saved $10 on his.

Dellphinus

I got hooked on cycling after buying a comfort bike to ride around on with my kids. I'm still riding it, just several 1000 miles a year now. With it's upright position, wind is a real killer. I would ride with my arms on the bars, and grab the front of my bar bag to get out of the wind when necessary. I recently put on a pair of Profile Design Split Second clip on aerobars to use on an MS150 ride. Also did a 115 century with them. Elbow pads flip up when not in use, so you don't lose hand positions on the bar. Short story: They freakin rock. Pick up 2-3 mph when down, wind resistance is much much less (when not on the bars, I'm practically sitting straight up). I'll definitely put them on my new bike (tourer with drops) when I get it.

As for control, if I'm down on the aeros, and see a car coming, stop sign, anything other than open road, or start a downhill, I come up off them. Unless I can figure a way to get brake levers on the aerobars and the handlebars, I'll continue to do that. Riding with other bikers, as others noted, is dangerous, and I come up off the aeros when passing, being passed or riding with others.

For long distance riding, as far as I'm concerned they're a must have. Maybe when I get drops and try that, I'll think otherwise, but right now I can't see it happening.

qroo

Inverted,

If you think that aero bars will help you and you find them comfortable use them. I personally swear by mine. I would rather be in the aero position than ride in the drops but that's my personal opinion. The nay-sayers above bring up some very good points and you should consider them. Two comments are particularly useful: (1) make sure your bike is properly fitted; and (2) make sure the aero bars give you enough room to hold onto the top of your bar. (some aero bars take up too much space on the top of your bar so you don't have much space for your climbing position).

When I first started riding, I had horrible bike fitting issues including pain in the lower back, numb hands and numb nether regions. However, after getting a proper fitting, and purchasing gloves and a new seat, all the issues went away. After another few months, I decided to try the aero bars and I loved them. The aero position was very comfortable to me. However, you will find that your maneuverability is severely limited when in the aero position, so you will need to figure out when to use them and when not to. For example, I don't use them when I am on a street where there isn't much room to ride (i.e. no bike lanes or cars are too close) because I don't feel like I can evade poor drivers quickly enough. However, when there is plenty of room to ride, I find that I can add an additional 1-2 mph to my speed when in the aero position. Ultimately, it's your bike. Do what you want. Whatever you do, don't shun them because you feel like a 'poseur' or you feel like someone will think of you poorly. Who cares? You ride for you, not them.

One other thing, don't ever use them when riding in groups, for your safety and the safety of the other riders.

My $.02.

Q