clip-on mini bars

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2014-08-03 10:22 AM

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360
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Ottawa, Ontario
Subject: clip-on mini bars
In an effort to get a better aero position I added some clip-on mini bars (Deda Blast) to my road bike. Not the most comfortable but I could hold myself up for while, and if nothing else it gave me yet another hand position option for longer rides.

Did my first Tri yesterday and had not anticipated how the swim would impact my arm muscles (particularly my triceps) when I got on the bike I could only hold myself on the aero bars for like 2 minutes at a time, so as a result rode almost the whole race in the drops. I watched with envy the other cyclists on TT bikes or who had full aero bars, resting the elbows on the bars and looking quite comfortable.

Any users of mini-bars out there? Is it just a matter of strength/conditioning to be able to ride on those things for a whole race? Are full-sized bars really that much better? Is adding aero bars of any size to a road bike bound be an inadequate half-measure regardless?

2014-08-03 11:48 AM
in reply to: SenatorClayDavis

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Green Bay, WI
Subject: RE: clip-on mini bars
Never used mini bars but personally I think aero bars on a road bike make a huge difference. I race with a tri bike now, but I still have my aero bars on my road bike and I use them often.
2014-08-06 5:35 AM
in reply to: SenatorClayDavis

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Pro
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, New Hampshire
Subject: RE: clip-on mini bars
The ITU (aka shortie) bars are specifically designed so you maintain your road position, but gain the additional position in the aero bars. You rely on core strength when in aero, so that becomes increasingly important. Also, it takes a bit of time to get used to them and comfortable in them. Give it a month of riding. If you're still uncomfortable at that point, then it's a question of bike fit.
2014-08-06 10:33 AM
in reply to: audiojan

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360
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Ottawa, Ontario
Subject: RE: clip-on mini bars
Well there was a dude selling a pair of full on aero-bars (Profile T2+) for a good price so I grabbed them and went for a 40 km ride last night - so much better. Riding on those is actually the most comfortable position on my bike now - I can ride indefinitely that way (whereas I'd have to switch hand positions every now and again because of hand numbness) and it seems more aero than the position I got with the mini-bars. The steering is a little more squirrelly but I got used to that.
2014-08-15 10:07 PM
in reply to: SenatorClayDavis


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25
Subject: RE: clip-on mini bars
I use the profile design gt jammers and was on them for at least 90% of my HIM. I felt pretty comfortable through the race. I'm not sure if the jammers would be more comfortable because they extend further back than the deda.
Going full aerobars will definitely be more comfortable. My training partner also has the jammers and just bought TT/tri bike and he said it is much easier riding in the aero position on his new bike.
Full aerobars will be a problem on a road bike because you'll have to adjust your seat position between aero (further forward) and road riding. Redshift (http://www.redshiftsports.com/) is an option without buying a dedicated TT/tri bike.
2014-08-31 8:13 AM
in reply to: SenatorClayDavis

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Subject: RE: clip-on mini bars
As noted, your core muscles should be doing a lot more of the work than your arms in the aero position. It takes some getting used to recruiting those muscles to help hold you up.

It took a few weeks for me to feel comfortable in the aeros, and it also took at least 3+ rejiggings of the bars/arm rests before I found my sweet spot for comfort.

I do feel that the new position on my bike plus shorties has helped my cycling...I feel like my legs are able to produce more power in this position and I like having an extra position to cycle in.

2014-10-02 8:22 AM
in reply to: SenatorClayDavis


20

Subject: RE: clip-on mini bars
Is there a big aero difference between shorter aero bars and full extensions? I am considering shorty aero bars for my road bike so that I can still keep the same position for riding without them
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