ryanparrish

Hello,

I have been thinking about getting some clip on aero bars for my drops does any one have any suggestions?

pelotonracer

Cheapest ones you can find- https://probikekit.com/display.php?code=a1367

There's no difference between them anyways. Weight doesn't matter for flat TT's, & carbon aerobars is honestly just stupid.

Serpico

yeah--don't do it

operator

Great reason.

That's a saddle. He's asking for aerobars.
To the OP: If you're putting aerobars on road bars consider the mini/non full size TT bars. For example these are a pretty good deal on chucksbikes.

https://www.chucksbikes.com/store/br050.htm

Aluminum.

deanp

I picked a new to me bike last week that came with aero-bars and I took them off after my second ride. They were spooky, the bike was very twitchy and hard to control. I thought I would like them, but they weren't for me. They were made by Profile.

dekalbSTEEL

https://www.all3sports.com/product_in...19d88dcdf1a212

pelotonracer

Whoops. Edited.

operator

Hehe.

not2fast

I have profile airstykes, and like them a lot. In the past, I have had regular Profile clip-ons. I like that I can get to the top part of the bar if I need to.

As for stability, with a little practice, you will have no problem holding a straight line, and making turns while on the aero bar.

I would have no problem riding on my aerobars on a group ride, if only the group riders could hold a straight line.....but they cant!

dekalbSTEEL

Inability to reach your brake levers quickly is the main reason aerobars are not allowed on most group rides, not ability to steer.

ryanparrish

thanks for the suggestions, I will check out the links and make a decisions. The reason why I want them is that it is 95 percent flat.Were I live in michigan and there is only a couple " tough " hills that I have problems with, and I am feeling stronger every day so they are becoming less tough and some of the questions, and searching from this form has really helped. Also some days the wind from the lake can be horrible for riding even though I get in the drops it still isn't enough also with all the flat spots. I would like to increase my average riding times by being able to go faster. With a more aero position, or are my reasons for aero bars misguided?

MtnRide

Probably not misguided. I don't use aerobars except for TTs and TT practice, but all I can say is make sure you get something very adjustable. Ideally, you should be able to adjust length and width of the forearm rests at the very least. Road bike geometry doesn't work too well with aerobars, and most people ride them way too stretched out. I have my bars set all the way back and slide my saddle as far forward as I can, and then it fits, sort of. I have to say it doesn't seem to make much of a difference below 20 mph, and if you're not comfortable handling a bike, they'll wear you down more than standard bars just from small corrections you'll be making (think driving a car with heavy crosswind - strangely tiring to make all those little changes in course.) Honestly, it will make a 0.5 mph difference, if that, but if that's worth it to you, go for it. FWIW I have the cheapest ones I could find locally, the performance Forte T-1 bars. They work well. The Jammers look better for road bikes though. As a side note, one irritating thing about a lot of clip-ons is that they block the tops of the regular bars. They are more comfortable, when setup correctly, on your shoulders and back.

Oh yeah, never ride them in a group ride. That always ends badly.

FIVE ONE SIX

the main reason for aerobars is for when you're riding by yourself and need to be as aerodynamic as possible, like in a triathlon, when you're not allowed to get on someones wheel and draft. otherwise they REALLY serve no purpose, other than putting yourself and everyone around you in danger because of the inability to get to your brake levers as fast as possible...

yes, i use the Oval Concepts A910 clip-on aerobars on my roadbike, but i am ONLY on them if i'm riding in a triathlon or in the front of a bike line with friends. i can't comment on a t/t, i've never ridden in one, but they're definitely necessary for a tri if you plan on being competative...

if you're anywhere other than the front of a bike line, you don't need to be on them, since you're on someones wheel and are drafting anyway. you won't notice a single bit of difference between the drops and the aerobars if you're on someones wheel. and like i said, if you are on them in a line you put yourself and everyone around you in danger if something happens to the person in front of you and you can't get to your brakes in time. i don't know about you, but i know i would be pissed if i had to go to the hospital because someone in front of me was on their aerobars when they shouldn't have been, which is everytime except the very front of a line...

and as far as group rides go, forget about using them, they're not allowed on most or all group rides that i know of. if they see you with them, the first thing they will tell you is not to get on them, and no i don't get on them when i do a group ride. for some reason, most road cyclist dislike triathletes, and that's the main reason why at least from my experiences...

and honestly, i wouldn't get profiles if i was you, they're the heaviest. i don't know about you, but if i was going to put something on my bike that i didn't plan on using every day, i would personally go for the lightest ones i could find, that's what i did. the Oval Concepts A910 only weigh 295 grams, and most Profile Designs weigh 600-700 grams, which is more than twice the weight. one weighs about 11 ounces, and one weighs about a pound more, i personally went with the one that weighs 11 ounces. don't get me wrong though, fit is the most important thing. i also like the fit of the A910's, but that's just me though, that's not to say you should get something really light without seeing how they fit first...

and if you want more feeback, you should post this in the triathlon section, since most to all triathlete's use aerobars...

operator

Profile T2+'s are around 500 grams, the oval concepts are about 2x the cost of the profiles. Just some extra information to throw around.

FIVE ONE SIX

you're absolutely correct, but you CAN go with the Oval Concepts A710's for $99, and they're only 395 grams. another company that makes some nice clip-on's is syntace, they make a few that are both light AND comfortable (which IS rare) like the SLS and C2, and they definitely deserve a look at...

i've never looked into the T2+'s, but i find it funny that the carbon version of the T2+'s (the Cobra T2+) is ONLY 20 grams lighter than their aluminum version. hell, the Profile Designs Carbon Strykes are about 550 grams, which is very heavy for carbon...

terrymorse 

When I have the need to be aero, I use the very minimalist Cinelli Spincissimi:



Only 210 grams. I wouldn't recommend them for hours at a time, but a 1-hour TT is fine. Only 210 grams, and they only work on 26 mm bars.

operator

I always thought that was a typo, but apparently it isn't. Way to go carbon

FIVE ONE SIX

also, mini clip-on's are better if you only plan on using them once in a while, but like everything else it's all user preference...

all in all, i would only go with clip-on aerobars if you plan on doing some type of TT or Triathlon and still want to do some type of group rides, otherwise spend your money on something that will benefit you more...

also know that you should never use clip-on's with carbon bars, unless the manufacturer recommends it, and the only on that i know if that does is Easton. and that's for Easton clip-on's, with Easton bars, both of which are going to be pricey...

zimbo

I have the Profile Design T2 Clip-Ons and I love them. They work with either 25.8mm or 31.8mm bars (and they actually work with my carbon bars!), they're easy to install, they're relatively lightweight, and they're extremely adjustable.

I used them on my road bike for a triathlon yesterday and had the 3rd best bike time out of 400 entrants.

NOTE: You need to practice with aero bars for several reasons: (1) you need to get used to the handling, (2) you need to figure out the proper adjustment which typically means bringing the seat forward and up and dropping/flipping your stem, and (3) the different position uses slightly different muscles and takes getting used to.

Good luck and take them off before your group rides.

--Steve

operator

I think it's fine if you have aerobars installed on group rides, just don't go on them. Although the problem is some riders are prejudiced against those that have aerobars on.

Alphonso

Don't do it! Aero bars promote erectile disfunction

80vette

I like my aero bars.
I find that on solo rides I spend 80+ % on the bars.
When I am in a group ride and in a pace line I stay off of them. Hands on the hoods.

Syntace SLS are great bars.
Profiile design bars are also good .. very adjustable.. but heavy.

Try a pair .. They will take some getting used to and some tweeking of your postion.

ranger5oh

Whats with all the aero-bar haters? I have been riding on mine for about 1500 miles, and no accidents, never been heckled by other group riders... etc.

I do agree, you shouldnt be on them unless it is a straight flat area where you dont need the brakes. But isnt this common sense? I think we need to give all the riders a little more credit.

Anyway, I have a set of carbon profile design F-22Cs and I love them. They are a shorty style bar, and very ergonomic. I like them for relieving pressure off my hands on longer rides. They are a little pricey though.

SSC

I have these with 31.8 mm adapter.



I can ride so much faster and farther with much less fatigue.

orcanova

I don't think he/she stated they want a pair of clip-ons to mess up a perfectly nice group ride.

Aerobars do take a little getting used to. Of course the hands are not near the brakes, just as your cleats are still clipped in as you approach a stop sign. Riding skills are just as important with or without them.

No you don't use them in a group ride unless you are pulling...

Yes clip-ons aver very functional for solo riding and obviosuly for du's, tri's and time trials...

Personally, I have been riding on the Syntace C2's for over 10 years, when they first came out. They are still the lightest and most ergonomic of the full sized aero-bars, and are just as sturdy as the others. When you hold them in your hand they feel as light as a feather...as though they are adding no weight.