General Discussion Triathlon Talk » SBend vs Ski Bend Rss Feed  
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2012-02-28 5:53 PM

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Greenville, SC
Subject: SBend vs Ski Bend
Which do you prefer and why?  I am new to try bikes.....my P2 has SBend bars.  I feel like my wrist is bending too much after long rides.  Thought about sticking some Ski Bend bars on the bike but thought I would ask around for opinions before I spend $150.  I tried raising my s bend bars but didnt care for that either.


2012-02-28 5:58 PM
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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend
Yep, my bike came with s bends and i get that wrist strain some too. It's not too bad but is a bit bothersome at times. I may just deal with it for a while...I am hoping to upgrade to a carbon bike next yr. Currently on a Qroo Kilo and that's been my only complaint, the aero bars.
2012-02-28 6:08 PM
in reply to: #4071489

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Elite
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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend

I took several aero cockpits to an X-Ray facility to see the skeletal effects of different aero extensions.

Here are Visiontech's "R" bend straight extensions:

And a comparison of my skeletal alignment with a ski bend style:

It doesn't take much imagination to figure out which one provides a more neutral anatomical angle and greater comfort.

2012-02-28 6:10 PM
in reply to: #4071489

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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend

Started with ski bends.  Bought S bends on the new tri bike.  Tried them for about 300 miles.  That was all I could take.  Threw the ski bends back on and am much happier.

2012-02-28 6:13 PM
in reply to: #4071508

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Greenville, SC
Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend
Tom Demerly. - 2012-02-28 7:08 PM

I took several aero cockpits to an X-Ray facility to see the skeletal effects of different aero extensions.

Here are Visiontech's "R" bend straight extensions:

And a comparison of my skeletal alignment with a ski bend style:

It doesn't take much imagination to figure out which one provides a more neutral anatomical angle and greater comfort.

 

Wow....always impressed with your knowledge on this stuff.  Have seen your posts before.  XRAY pics to answer my question?  Seriously?   Awesome!  Thanks!

2012-02-28 6:15 PM
in reply to: #4071489

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Elite
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PEI, Canada
Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend
I used to be an S-bend user but recently switched to what PD calls a Drop Bend extension on the T3+.  I was ok with the s-bend (T2+) but once I switched I knew I would be happier with it.


2012-02-28 6:18 PM
in reply to: #4071489

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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend
If the s-bend is not comfortably, I would go with the ski bend and those will hopefully work better. I've used both and greatly prefer the s-bend although my wrist is nowhere close to the extreme bend shown in Tom's x-rays.

This shows my wrist position with my T2+'s - http://zoomphoto.ca/viewphoto/12699-103-12246117/1/

Shane
2012-02-28 6:22 PM
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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend
To add to what Shane said, my wrist position with the T2+ was nowhere near the angle in Tom's xray's either.  I'm sure I would be if I gripped it like that but I positioned my hands differently. 
2012-02-28 6:26 PM
in reply to: #4071489

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Greenville, SC
Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend
Trying the ski bends.....i do not think I bend as much as the X-ray picture, but I know its uncomfortable for me and switching the extensions is the cheapest option right now.  I like the look of the PD Drop Bends.....that may be the long term play if I switch out everything.  The thing I don't like about the 3T Auras is that I can't adjust the arm rest pads (whatever they are called) any farther apart and I feel ilke my elbows are too close together.  Not sure why they would make bars where the adjustability is so limited.
2012-02-28 6:31 PM
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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend
Ski bend is more comfortable for a lot of people. I prefer R bend though.
2012-02-28 6:45 PM
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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend

Use whatever is comfortable. I'm a s-bend guy, but I don't have as extreme an angle as Tom does. I also don't have a death grip on my bars as seems to be shown on the x-ray.

Keep in mind, there's not a lot of movement with the ski bends. You're stuck with the placement of your arms and elbows. If you like to move them around much, you're out of luck.



2012-02-28 6:49 PM
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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend

I have the ski bend's and have found that there are not many options for arm placement; you can't really move back on the pads at all or you will only touch the ends of the bars with your fingertips.  I am interested in trying the s-bend's but have not had a chance yet.

I will say that my wrists never hurt or get uncomfortable though.

2012-02-28 6:49 PM
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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend
MonkeyClaw - 2012-02-28 8:45 PM

Use whatever is comfortable. I'm a s-bend guy, but I don't have as extreme an angle as Tom does. I also don't have a death grip on my bars as seems to be shown on the x-ray.

Keep in mind, there's not a lot of movement with the ski bends. You're stuck with the placement of your arms and elbows. If you like to move them around much, you're out of luck.

Lots of adjustability (is that a word?) in the Profile Design bars.

Edit: I see what you mean if you meant move around while riding - that I agree with.



Edited by axteraa 2012-02-28 6:50 PM
2012-02-28 6:50 PM
in reply to: #4071551

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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend
MonkeyClaw - 2012-02-28 4:45 PM

Use whatever is comfortable. I'm a s-bend guy, but I don't have as extreme an angle as Tom does. I also don't have a death grip on my bars as seems to be shown on the x-ray.

Keep in mind, there's not a lot of movement with the ski bends. You're stuck with the placement of your arms and elbows. If you like to move them around much, you're out of luck.

Hmm, I don't have that experience. 

ETA - Like the OP, if I had a set of bars that the pads could be moved outward, I may have liked them.  Planet X bars, no lateral movement allowed apparently.  I also felt as if my shoudlers were being squeezed in, then to get any grip on the bars I had to move my arms out.  Too much stress on the shoulder joint.  And yes, this included a professional fit



Edited by ChrisM 2012-02-28 6:52 PM
2012-02-28 6:53 PM
in reply to: #4071489

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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend
I use 3t s-bend extensions.  My hand positioning is more like Shane's, but there is some wrist bend.  However, I have never had any wrist discomfort on rides up to 70 miles on my tri bike.
2012-02-28 6:56 PM
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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend


2012-02-28 7:24 PM
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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend

GAUG3 - 2012-02-28 4:56 PM Check this link out

You realize that's Tom's (above post with x-rays) site, right?

Sorry, had to remove the link. The parser kept messing up my reply...



Edited by MonkeyClaw 2012-02-28 7:27 PM
2012-02-28 8:31 PM
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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend
Ski-bend or J bend all the way. S-bend cramps my wrist.
2012-02-28 9:07 PM
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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend
I went the other way with bars. started with a big upturn, then moved to sky bends. then S a year later. realized i kept grabbing them on the lower section and finally moved to straight bars. FOR ME, they are the most comfortable i've tried outside of a very shallow ski bend (sort of liek the first run of easton attack bars).
2012-02-28 9:45 PM
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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend
NeverEnough - 2012-02-28 6:26 PMTrying the ski bends.....i do not think I bend as much as the X-ray picture, but I know its uncomfortable for me and switching the extensions is the cheapest option right now.  I like the look of the PD Drop Bends.....that may be the long term play if I switch out everything.  The thing I don't like about the 3T Auras is that I can't adjust the arm rest pads (whatever they are called) any farther apart and I feel ilke my elbows are too close together.  Not sure why they would make bars where the adjustability is so limited.
. I had the exact same issues... Swapped out the base bar with a cobra wing and ski bend for the s bend... Night. And. Day. Net difference was about $100 but that was with a parts swap. I couldn't be happier with my fit.
2012-02-29 8:25 AM
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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend
I much prefer the ski bends. But my current bike has s bends, and I am too cheap to swap them out, so I deal with it.


2012-02-29 8:29 AM
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Subject: RE: SBend vs Ski Bend

When I bought my last tri bike I tried both but stuck with Ski Bends which I had been using for 5+ years.

Look for some used ones to save $150.

Many shops when you first buy a new bike will swap out parts at no cost or just pay the difference between the two.

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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » SBend vs Ski Bend Rss Feed