Riding in the Central Park tonight, I suddenly realized that I am switching from and to aero position way too often. It all has to do with being forced to reach for the brakes to adjust my speed (I am afraid of running over squirels and pedestrians). So, I decided to buy a pair of cycloross levers and run cables up and down my aero extensions - this will probably add some 100 gramms to my bike but will make the ride way safer and (probably) faster too. So far, all I was able to find was that some pros (https://www.velonews.com/tech/report/...es/8100.0.html) are doing it too, which gives it a bit more credibility. Has anyone done it, any specific products, problems, thoughts?

PS. upon looking a bit more, I found a Hed product designed to do exactly that - it's called "the third lever" https://www.hedcycling.com/aerobars/thirdbrake.php and is kinda sleek, but (a) rather expensive and also does not look too comfortable.

Yup, I've seen it done. In addition to those HED levers, I've also seen similar kit around on websites for companies that make aero bars.

(for example: https://www.profile-design.com/2006_p..._pages/levers/ )

the ones treefox posted look like the standard levers used on the bullhorns

Oh right; you're correct about those Profile Design ones.

But I have seen people with brakes out on the aero bars.

Hi Slevin,
I am thinking about adding a third brake myself.
Could you please explain the way you have added this third brake ?
Thanks in advance,
Todor

I have thought about it too. I am wondering if it is easy to install yourself, or should a bike shop do it?

I paid 35 bucks for a pair of inline cyclocross levers on ebay. It's carbon fiber bling, I think you can get alloy ones for 25. The other thing you most probably gonna end up needing is a longer cable, so buy one of the tandem cables in advance. Get a pack of brake housing as well.

Then on my right handlebar (the rear brake) I ran a cable from the main lever up the right airbar and through the inline lever, loop it and ran it back down the aerobar. If you have the tools, it should not cost you more then the cost of the components plus the time. I just paid about 90 bucks to the mechanic to get it done, simply because I do not have the time (and the skill, probably) to do it myself.

The other way to do it (i thought about it too) is to buy the same cyclocross levers, but instead of looping the cable use a brake cable doubler (produced by Problem Solvers, 40 bucks or so).

I´m using a HED third break on my HED aerobars. Great to trim off some speed before turns etc, but don´t expect it to work with the same stopping power as a normal break.... just won´t work that way. Still, highly recommended and it does allow me to go a bit faster as I know I can bleed off some speed if necessary, and stay aero since I´m not changing position all the time...

Train somewhere without squirrels!

It is a good idea, but for God's sake, quite riding your tri bike in Central Park! Get out of the city.
Riding a tri bike in the city is like trying to swim laps in a hot tub. Man, you gotta get out somewhere and open that dude up for some long steady miles.

Don't really have time to go outside the city, too much work, and I don't have a car. Other then pedestrians, CP is a great place for training, actually - a course with a bunch of micro-hills, a lot of sharp turns and varied pavement. Almost ideal for short training rides, it's 10k per lap. In addition, it is closed to the traffic on the weekends and after 7 pm. This said, I love going out to Queens, riding near the Kissena velodrome is fantastic.