Bike Forums - Aero bars anyone?

Bike Forums (https://www.bikeforums.net/forum.php)

- Touring (https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/)

- - Aero bars anyone? (https://www.bikeforums.net/touring/694923-aero-bars-anyone.html)

The more I look at it the more I like it too. Is this like a Mark 20 (your 20th version) or something? You could not possibly have done this on your first try...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carbonfiberboy (Post 11785059)

Any tips for helping to get and stay low, Machka?

I'm not Machka, but I am a former triathlete who used aero bars almost exclusively for over a decade. In order to get low, you need to have the handlebars lower than the seat by at least a few inches, and generally you want the handlebars further forward (i.e., longer stem or a time trial frame) than usual. Both of these modifications allow you to stretch out over the frame and keep your back low to reduce the frontal profile into the wind. Of course, these modifications probably won't be pleasant on a touring setup where you generally want to sit even more upright than on a road bike. Putting areo bars on a regular touring setup will still have some areo advantage, but you're going to be much more hunched over the bike and will be unable to "get and stay low."

Quote:

Originally Posted by tomn (Post 11785195)

I added them right after I mashed my Ulnar Nerves 5 years ago. It numbed up my hands for months. I use them to give my hands a break, and it is a very comfortable pedaling position. Someone here once called them "prairie bars" because they aren't added for the aero quality, but for comfortably pedaling long stretches.

http://img8.sellersourcebook.com/use...ok_on_copy.jpg

http://img8.sellersourcebook.com/use..._bars_copy.jpg

I made the extensions for the arm rests and the bag mounts as I still wanted to use my handlebar bag.

Tom

Hey Tom could you show more detail of the handlebar bag mounts? I'm touring on a LHT and would like to have a go with aerobars, but I also need my handlebar bag. I recently experienced a ultra-tough headwind while on tour, I ended up resting my forearms on the brake hoods and wrapping my hands gently around my handlebar bag. It worked, I gained at least 2 mph with this setup and punched through the wind much better, but it felt like a much riskier position than when using aerobars. I have a couple of sets of aerobars on some of my other road bikes and have used them extensively in the past. After my wicked headwind experience I started thinking about my LHT and aerobars but until I saw your post I thought the bar bag was a show stopper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SBRDude (Post 11806048)

I meant for the stoker, running a standard 28.5" cockpit. Single and captain's position is no problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gus Riley (Post 11806606)

Hey Tom could you show more detail of the handlebar bag mounts?

Hi Gus,

Here are a few pictures of the modified mount and arm rest extensions when they were on my previous bike:

http://users.techline.com/tomn/arkelbag.jpg

http://users.techline.com/tomn/arkelbag2.jpg

http://users.techline.com/tomn/arkelbag3.jpg

http://users.techline.com/tomn/arkelbag4.jpg

http://users.techline.com/tomn/arkelbag5.jpg

Tom