I'm not sure if this issue has been addressed before.

I was wondering to what extent aero bars would improve my time-trialing.
I'm pretty old, and weak. I have a regular 10 mile circuit I do, generally flat but with extended false flats, bumpy road surface, and a quite frequest cross-wind---that's my excuse anyway. I can't do much better than a little over 21 MPH and was wondering what improvement I could realistically expect using aero-bars.?

Regards

Brendan O'Sullivan

The first question that occurs to me is, "Why do you want to go faster?" Of course aerobars are faster. How much depends on a lot of things.

When riding in groups, I often go to the drops to keep up.

Well yes, but he's talking about solo TTing for sport, not even competition.

It all depends on your current position vs what you could achieve on aerobars. It wasn't clear from your post if you competed in a weekly TT or if you just want to see if you could go faster on a regular route.

How aggressive is your current bike? Are you riding in the drops? Is your back flat when riding?

If you aren't competing, I wouldn't bother as you won't enjoy riding in an aggressive TT position, particularly over bumpy roads. If you just want to ride with aerobars, but don't plan on getting low, you could be comfortable, but you won't be fast.

Brendan, buy another bike with the aerobars. Just get the time trial type bike. Then you will find the time and place to ride and it will be all fun for you.

I have a Specialized Tarmac Apex Elite SL2 bike--the lower end model--wt about 19 lbs.
I ride in the drops and my position was measured at the superior bike shop where I bought the bike.
I've never been fast , even in my heyday--I'm 55 now. I don't have the money to buy another bike.
ONe of my goals is to ride Mt Washington---I suppose to ride Mt Equinox tomorrow but, unfortunately, something important came up.

Thanks for the replies.
Brendan

None of what you have posted thus far indicates any particular need for aerobars and there are a bunch of reasons not to use them if not needed. So, what is your intended use/purpose for them? You MAY be a bit faster in the flats but without a real reason most people are far better off just using the drops.

I keep wanting someone to design a chest support which attaches to the top tube. You adjust the height and then you just lay down on the support so that no pressure is on your hands and you are in a great aero position. It seems to me that aero bars would vibrate your shoulders way too much unless the road was extremely smooth.

At one time I thought that aero bars would be great but now I just don't know.