Aerobars for Touring
#1
RAGBRAI. Need I say more?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Branch, Iowa USA
Posts: 868
Bikes: 1998 Mongoose NX7.1, 2008 Kona Jake, GT singlespeed (year unknown).
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Aerobars for Touring
This summer I plan on doing a little state-wide tour called Ragbrai. With my only bike being a hardtail mountain bike, I will likely pull a BOB and add some aerobars for hand positions. My question...what should I look for in aerobars. My wife won't let me go to France, so I won't be on the Tour any time soon, thus I really only need these areobars for very occasional use. I would assume that you get what you pay for, but since I don't need great longivity, would a cheaper set do the trick?
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 857
Bikes: Cannondale T2000, Gary Fisher Sugar2, Trek Madone 5.2SL
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Just add bar ends. It's easier to get to the brakes from bar ends than from an aero bar position. It's also easier to control the bike, which in a mass of recreational riders is pretty important.
#3
Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Norway
Posts: 33
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Aero bars will not only change hand position; they will change body position. If that's what you're after, they're really nice to have.
I paid 'bout $100 for mine, and I'm really happy with them.
The cheaper ones seem to weigh more, and it's nice to have quality arm cushions.
I paid 'bout $100 for mine, and I'm really happy with them.
The cheaper ones seem to weigh more, and it's nice to have quality arm cushions.
#4
RAGBRAI. Need I say more?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: West Branch, Iowa USA
Posts: 868
Bikes: 1998 Mongoose NX7.1, 2008 Kona Jake, GT singlespeed (year unknown).
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Shemp
Just add bar ends. It's easier to get to the brakes from bar ends than from an aero bar position. It's also easier to control the bike, which in a mass of recreational riders is pretty important.
Good point on the control issue. I have never tried aerobars, but I would assume that one wouldn't want to stop real fast while using them. I guess I just have to shake the hands loose as usual.
#5
Senior Member
Just my opinion, but you will be in for exciting moments using aerobars on a loaded bike, or pulling a trailer.
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: @ the beach, NC
Posts: 609
Bikes: Surly Cross Check, Thorn Sherpa
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
As someone had posted on here before: https://www.wallbike.com/oddsnends.html#bars
Also, I am very happy with the Nashbar trekking bars on my Mtb. conversion. I think ended up paying about $15.
Also, I am very happy with the Nashbar trekking bars on my Mtb. conversion. I think ended up paying about $15.
#7
shut up and ride
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: noho
Posts: 1,947
Bikes: supersix hi-mod,burley duet tandem,woodrup track,cannondale cross,specialized road
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Monoborracho
Just my opinion, but you will be in for exciting moments using aerobars on a loaded bike, or pulling a trailer.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Central Point, Or.
Posts: 409
Bikes: Route-x bent, GT Hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My 2 cents: I tour on a hybrid bike which is a lot like a mtb, and I put clip on type aerobars on and I enjoy them immensely as compared to bar ends. I bought a set used on EBAY for less than 20 bucks. They were adjustable.
I agree with the other advice here that you might not want to use them at high speed and or in crowds. However, toodling along on a quiet country road, climbing a long hill, I love being able to stretch out along the top tube. It shifts the weight off your wrists and allows your back and backside to shift around. After some experimentation, I removed the elbow rests and rest my forearms on the padded handlebar grips.
It works for me.
I agree with the other advice here that you might not want to use them at high speed and or in crowds. However, toodling along on a quiet country road, climbing a long hill, I love being able to stretch out along the top tube. It shifts the weight off your wrists and allows your back and backside to shift around. After some experimentation, I removed the elbow rests and rest my forearms on the padded handlebar grips.
It works for me.
#9
Macro Geek
I first added aerobars to a touring bike 13 years ago, and I would not consider doing without them. As others have said, they are not for times when you need quick access to the brakes, but they are perfect for riding on quiet country roads, climbing steep hills, and resting the hands (because you do not need to grip aerobars.)
I have Profile Airstrykes. The padded cups are spring-loaded, so you don't lose a riding position that you do with non-spring loaded cups. Some people find they rattle, but I haven't noticed.
https://www.profile-design.com/2006_p...airstryke.html
I have Profile Airstrykes. The padded cups are spring-loaded, so you don't lose a riding position that you do with non-spring loaded cups. Some people find they rattle, but I haven't noticed.
https://www.profile-design.com/2006_p...airstryke.html
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Central Point, Or.
Posts: 409
Bikes: Route-x bent, GT Hybrid
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I went out and snapped a picture of my touring bars and the hybrid I use for touring. Check it out. They are profile designs also.
#11
ChainringTattoo
Join Date: Jul 2005
Posts: 79
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I put aero bars on last summer and love, love, love them. I think they are Profile "Century" or something like that. They have flip-up arm rests so they stay out of the way of the rest of the hand positions. I got them on ebay for around $70, I think.
You can see pics from a variety of angles on this page:
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/p..._id=33505&v=OK
I also jacked up the handlebars a couple of inches and added Bar Phat gel (by specialized) under the bar tape and didn't have any trouble for 5000 miles with my hands, even though my previous RAGBRAI had left me with numb hands for a couple of weeks after.
edit: The model I got was AirStryke, not Century.
You can see pics from a variety of angles on this page:
https://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/p..._id=33505&v=OK
I also jacked up the handlebars a couple of inches and added Bar Phat gel (by specialized) under the bar tape and didn't have any trouble for 5000 miles with my hands, even though my previous RAGBRAI had left me with numb hands for a couple of weeks after.
edit: The model I got was AirStryke, not Century.
Last edited by imafencer; 03-17-07 at 09:14 AM.
#12
Crankenstein
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Spokane
Posts: 4,037
Bikes: Novara Randonee (TankerBelle)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
I just put a set of the Profile Airstryke bars on my commuter. I love them! They came in extra handy this afternoon, I left work at 4:48 trying to make it the almost three miles to the bank downtown before closing time at 5 ... With a 20 mph headwind the whole way! Made it with two minutes to spare. Talk about some good interval training! (Sprinting between stop lights at 22 mph level with that much headwind is a GREAT workout! )
edit: Oh, and to add something at least a LITTLE touring related: I rode home the other day loaded with 45-50 lbs of groceries on my rear rack, using the Aerobars and had no problems controlling the bike.
edit: Oh, and to add something at least a LITTLE touring related: I rode home the other day loaded with 45-50 lbs of groceries on my rear rack, using the Aerobars and had no problems controlling the bike.
#13
Macro Geek
Originally Posted by bmclaughlin807
Oh, and to add something at least a LITTLE touring related: I rode home the other day loaded with 45-50 lbs of groceries on my rear rack, using the Aerobars and had no problems controlling the bike.
#14
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Illinois (near St. Louis)
Posts: 852
Bikes: Specialized Expedition Sport, Surly LHT
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
NAshbar has the Profile design Split Second bars (these are great!) for 55.00 US (normally > 100.00). This weekend only!
#15
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Moscow, Russia
Posts: 79
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Quote:
“…the aero bar (triathlon bar) is not just an accessory one attaches to one's bike; the aero bar actually turns the bike into a sort of front recumbent in which the rider attaches and weights himself to the bike using different parts of his body.”
The article is here https://www.cervelo.com/content.aspx?...g&i=TriBikeFit .
An additional bonus after replacing the 80 cm suspension fork on my MTB with a rigid one was changing in bike geometry so that the angle of the seat has changed from 73 to 76 degrees. That is good if you use aerobars on mtb for touring.
“…the aero bar (triathlon bar) is not just an accessory one attaches to one's bike; the aero bar actually turns the bike into a sort of front recumbent in which the rider attaches and weights himself to the bike using different parts of his body.”
The article is here https://www.cervelo.com/content.aspx?...g&i=TriBikeFit .
An additional bonus after replacing the 80 cm suspension fork on my MTB with a rigid one was changing in bike geometry so that the angle of the seat has changed from 73 to 76 degrees. That is good if you use aerobars on mtb for touring.
Last edited by Alex L; 04-11-07 at 11:10 AM.
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 498
Bikes: LeMond Buenos Aires, Trek 7500, Scattante CFR, Burley Hudson
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Steele,
I have aerobars on all of my bikes. They are very important when riding long distances into the wind, and provide a real change of positions for the hands. Across the southern tour with loaded rear panniers I found no negatives to the bars and a lot of positives. If you find yourself in a group/paceline of roadies, don't use the bars or there will be a riot. Bar ends also provide additional hand positions, but do not allow you to get down out of the wind and reduce your drag. It all depends on what you want.
I notice that some of the negative comments so far have been from those who haven't tried aerobars.
I have aerobars on all of my bikes. They are very important when riding long distances into the wind, and provide a real change of positions for the hands. Across the southern tour with loaded rear panniers I found no negatives to the bars and a lot of positives. If you find yourself in a group/paceline of roadies, don't use the bars or there will be a riot. Bar ends also provide additional hand positions, but do not allow you to get down out of the wind and reduce your drag. It all depends on what you want.
I notice that some of the negative comments so far have been from those who haven't tried aerobars.
#17
Gone, but not forgotten
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Toronto
Posts: 4,508
Bikes: spicer fixie, Haro BMX, cyclops track, Soma Double Cross, KHS Flite 100
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
I would use my aero bars on my touring bike if they had flip up arm rests, but as it is they block the top flat section of the bars and don't let me use my inline CX levers.
#18
LMLN
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Toronto,On
Posts: 566
Bikes: Marin Novato, Argon Krypton, Jamis Aurora, IRO Mark V
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
While on tour around lake ontario last year my riding partner had a these bull nose like aero bars. He said they were great for changing the riding position and relaxing some muscles after hour 5 of riding. The only negative, no handle bar bag would fit. Nontheless, I'm thinking of getting a pair for my next tour, using the front pannier rack with a MEC Ratpack for maps and odds & ends.
#19
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Columbus, OH -- Randolph, NJ
Posts: 226
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I picked up some Profile Airstrykes on eBay for 40 bucks. I'm a huge fan of the flip up arm pads and I don't think I would buy any without that feature. I've just started using them about a week ago and so far I love them. I have yet to ride with a loaded bike but so far I'm pretty sure that I will be touring with them this summer.
#20
Prairie Path Commuter
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Forest Park, IL
Posts: 669
Bikes: Marin Palisades Trail
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
My aerobars don't fit on my new Safari because the bar is too narrow. But man do I miss them, especially riding in the 15 to 20 mph Illinois wind on my commute. I am thinking about transfering the trekking bars from my old bike where the aerobars worked. I haved not tried them with a fully loaded bike but my rear panniers that I carry for commuting weigh 22lbs and the (old) bike handles fine.
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Iowa
Posts: 102
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Please!! if you're going to do Ragbrai with aero bars, make sure you get LOTS of miles in on them first. WAY too many inexperienced riders go get them right before the ride for 'comfort' and become a road hazard. better yet, leave them off for the ride, safety is better than comfort, that's why we wear helmets.
#22
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 5,115
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
1 Post
Most hardtail mountian bikes have a few degrees of rearwar seat tube slope more than a road bike, and time trial/triathalon often have a degree of forward from standard. So to actually get any more aero you will not have the seat/pedal relationship required. You also have to take into consideration the top tube length, usually short, and your torso length. Can't say it won't be more comfortable in a stretching way, but a lot of these units are not aero on an MTB. I saw one set-up that was so vertical it could hardly have been worse if the guy stood up. Aero bars are really designed for closed courses and picked road surfaces, which is not the best description of the roads where I live.