why does everyone one this forum hate aerobars?

Poseurs.

Because the type of person who would ride on aerobars in a group ride is probably less than skilled in controlling them, and even if they were decent at riding with them, aerobars are much harder to control as compared to drop bars.

^ A good point but a moot point in the context of a solo century.

Well - as someone who could care less and is an independent observer, those who hate aero bars hate them for the following reasons:

(a) For whatever reason, cyclists are not fans of triathletes, and most people riding around with Aero bars are training for a triathlon. Rare is the rider training for a TT. I think part of this is the whole ego triathletes have, as if because they are training for an Ironman they deserve to be put on the same level as Lance.


(b) There is a complaint about riding with people riding with Aero bars (i.e. - they lack skills for riding in a group). I think this is unfounded for the most part, but, I can see the complaint.

(c) Some purists hate the aero bar. But these are also the same people who think only steel, lugged bikes are appropriate.

(d) Face it, on the whole, triathletes have better bodies. Perhaps there is some jealousy.

(e) Triathletes are not good cyclists. Anyone with basic race skills in cycling knows this. Triathlete ride mostly flat courses without havnig to deal with a peleton of riders. So they do not need to develop the same level of skills.

I have no problem at all with aerobars ... I even own aerobars!


I do have a problem with some of the people who use aerobars ... who think they know how to use them, but wobble and weave all over the place ... and who use them in groups putting the rest of the riders in danger.

+1

I saw an idiot riding on his aerobars in the Tour da Bronx. Thousands of cyclists, most of them very casual cyclists (read: poor handling skills), and this poseur thinks he's doing a TT amongst them.

Hope he got shouted down? Man, I have no problem with aerobars, but they are not for pack riding. One of my training rides is with one other rider, and the idea is to both use aerobars, and basically redline it for two hours. I'm at threshold on the front, and creep back down to tempo behind. It's a great workout and since we're both focussed on time trialing, it makes sense to simulate the TT position.

I really can't see why roadies would hate aerobars since most of us own them anyway; most of us are forced to do at least one TT per year!

There are cyclists who hate:
1) other cyclists that wear spandex
2) other cyclists that match their bar tape to their jerseys
3) other cyclists that wear a team jersey
4) other cyclists that use clipless pedals
5) other cyclists that wear helmets
6) other cyclists that that don't wear helmets
7) other cyclists that that ride road bikes
8) other cyclists that don't ride road bikes
9) other cyclists that use mirrors
10) other cyclists that that don't use mirrors
11) other cyclists that use carbon fiber frames
12) other cyclists that use steel

Ignore 'em.

There was a (pretty strong) guy wearing a local tri-shop jersey at the Tuesday Nighter last week, riding with aero bars -- in the A group. There was a minor break about 50m up the road, and the pack was just letting them hang out up there.

This guy decides to get into his bars and pick up the pace. Granted, he was moving pretty fast (passed right by the break), but as soon as he was done, a couple of the big guns attacked, and that guy was spat out the back of the pack with his aerobars. I think it was an intentional move by the riders that attacked. Their break didn't stick, and I really think they did it to get the aero bars out of their pack.

I dunno, it doesn't bother me that the bars are on somebody's bike (just stay out of them if you're drafting), but if it's a TT bike, handling is greatly compromised in corners -- and that bothers me. Of course, the Tuesday Nighter is a training race, so on a normal group ride, high-speed cornering isn't necessary.

In case it's not already obvious from what so many others have already pointed out, it's not that "everyone one (sic) this forum hate[s] aerobars", it's that most of the people in the Road Cycling forum ride in groups, and a cyclist using aerobars in a group ride compromises the safety of that group.

You can argue all you want about whether or not aerobars are inherently squirrlier (sp?) than drop bars, and I might even be willing to accept to proposal that stability when riding on aerobars can be learned... But there is absolutely no arguing the fact that when you are riding on the aerobars, your hands are 4-6" (at least) away from the brake levers, and I'm sorry, I don't know any group rider who's comfortable in a paceline behind or in front of some schmuck whose brakes are that inaccessible. Just like it's uncool to show off your no-hands riding skills in a paceline; it's just plain uncool to compromise the safety of other riders.

Now, when you're riding all by yourself, aerobars are the shiznit. Hell, I'd certainly have a totally aero TT bike in my stable (if I had enough room in my apartment to have a stable). But I'd never bring it on a group ride. I care too much about other people.

Reel Big Fish - Somebody Hate Me

+ a couple more
I am quite fond of aero bars in a tri or TT but I dont want someone riding behind be in a paceline on their aero bars(unless its a team TT and I trust them)

I like aerobars for individual efforts on long rides such as centuries. It not only gives you an aero advantage, but it takes some pressure off of your hands on a several hour ride. Using them in a tight group however is suicidal.

i just need clarification,

aero bars not equal to bull horns?

apologies, i'm just trying to understand.

there great for TT bikes

They're scary.

Hi Bob Ross-

We share the exact same sentiments on the topic. You're right on.

~ Blue Jays ~

lets make a few more un-needed generalizations here.

why does everyone on this forum hate un-flipped stems?

No they are not. But, bull horns are often used with aerobars. Some aerobars clip on. They can clip on to normal drop bars. I have clip-ons that I use for very long rides. You can also clip on to some bullhorns. Others are a one piece unit that incorporate the aero bar with bull horns.

Here are some pics of typical aerobar set ups.

These are clipons on some drop bars.



These are a one piece unit.

[/QUOTE]

I was thinking of getting a pair of those, sawing the bullhorn part off and mounting them on my brakeless fixie for the local group ride. Any thoughts?

I was thinking of getting a pair of those, sawing the bullhorn part off and mounting them on my brakeless fixie for the local group ride. Any thoughts?[/QUOTE]


I like it. also, I saw a kid this weekend who went down in a crash and lost his seat. you should think about removing your saddle like that, too. really improves your ability to corner.

I saw some idiot woman on a local MUP using her aero bars while towing her child in a trailer. She was having a pretty hard time maintaining control, and she still hadn't put 2+2 together.

I work in a shop part time, and a lot of the people buying aerobars have no idea what they're doing. They buy them because a) they think they look cool (wannabe triathletes) or 2) they think they'll be more comfortable.

I have nothing against triathletes. Some of them are much nicer than the racer boy wannabes.

Az

Okay, *that's* my new sig line!

Oh where to start...
a. I've done 3 IMs. I never want to be considered anything near lance. Ego? Doing an IM will take the ego right out of you, believe me.

b.I would never ride in a group with aerobars, though I do get wheelsuckers when I'm on my tri bike.

d. no doubt about that.

e. I disagree with a lot of this. I came to Tri from road riding. I have great handling/pack skills. Better than most people I see out there in packs. Triathlons are NOT mostly flat courses, some are, most are not. And there is a HUGE difference being out there by yourself, with no one's wheel to grab on to. By rule in triathlon, you can not be closer than 2 bike lenghths from another rider.Deal with a peleton, not exactly, though you do have to keep yourself legal. There is no drafting. (except some pro draft legal races, and then those just become a foot race)