S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars
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2007-03-09 8:35 AM |
Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC | Subject: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars I'm in the process of buying a Kuota K-Factor. I'll be getting a fitting the week after next and will have it, assuming the fitter thinks that the frame will work for me. The K-Factor comes with Profile Design T2 s-bend aerobars. I was reading an article at bikesportmichigan about the ergonomics of s-bend vs. ski-bend aerobars. Their conclusion is that the ski-bend bars are better for the majority of riders. I definitely fit into the group they talk about. Any thoughts? I'll bring it up with my fitter, but I'd love to have real world advice from BTrs. Edited by dontracy 2007-03-09 8:36 AM |
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2007-03-09 8:41 AM in reply to: #717095 |
Pro 3673 MAC-opolis | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars I'm a "ski bend" guy. I've tried both and find the ski bend aeros more comfortable and I feel like I have greater control over my bike. Just my preference. |
2007-03-09 8:42 AM in reply to: #717095 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars I just got s-bends and like them fine so far. But I understand the point that Tom makes in that article and do think that many may find ski-bends more comfortable. Definately bring up your concerns with the fitter. Perhaps even try to let them know in advance so they can make sure they have an equivalent ski-bend bar that you can try out and swap at little/no cost if you prefer it. |
2007-03-09 8:47 AM in reply to: #717111 |
Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars JohnnyKay - Perhaps even try to let them know in advance so they can make sure they have an equivalent ski-bend bar that you can try out and swap at little/no cost if you prefer it. Good idea. (little or not cost? it'll probably depend on if I bring my RUBE sign with me or not... ) |
2007-03-09 8:53 AM in reply to: #717095 |
Expert 789 Lake Forest, Illinois | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars I tried them both and ended up going with ski bend. I could get used to either but the ski bend didn't have a "getting used to it" component and my speed/riding posture isn't aggressive enough to have it make a difference from an aero standpoint. My fitter started out wanting me in s-bend but after about 30 mins of tring different postures he agreed with me that the ski bends were probably better in my case. Joshua |
2007-03-09 8:56 AM in reply to: #717095 |
Expert 1103 Plano, TX | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars I test rode a K-Factor for an hour and a half a few weekends ago and it was my first experience with S-Bend bars. Sure, I could eventually adapt to them, but the position didn't feel very natural. One wrist was sore even the next day. Personally, I would definitely switch to S-Bends. As to swapping them out, take a look beforehand at the brands your LBS carries. The most likely swap is to another Profile Design bar (from your LBS's preference). I think they make two ski-bend styles (also called j-bend sometimes) - the Aerolite and the Carbon Stryke. The Aerolites have lots of adjustment available, but are heavy. Personally, I didn't care for the look of the Carbon Stryke). Alternatively, if they carry VisionTech, you could see if they would swap for the VisionTech clip on bars. Definitely bring this up with the fitter and make your choice before your fit. Since the different brands /models position the arm pads at different heights, you may need the spacers adjusted accordingly. |
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2007-03-09 9:14 AM in reply to: #717095 |
Coach 10487 Boston, MA | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars dontracy - 2007-03-09 8:35 AM Yes! That article is bias, manipulative and the argument used to supports its reasoning/findings is flawed at best. This is not only my opinion but the interpretation and informative explanation of more than a few radiologists who criticized that article at ST a few weeks ago. (among many others) IOW, the article has nice pics to impress the uninformed but basically useless. I'm in the process of buying a Kuota K-Factor. I'll be getting a fitting the week after next and will have it, assuming the fitter thinks that the frame will work for me. The K-Factor comes with Profile Design T2 s-bend aerobars. I was reading an article at bikesportmichigan about the ergonomics of s-bend vs. ski-bend aerobars. Their conclusion is that the ski-bend bars are better for the majority of riders. I definitely fit into the group they talk about. Any thoughts? I'll bring it up with my fitter, but I'd love to have real world advice from BTrs. Bottom line; choose what’s comfortable for YOU! I switched from ski bend to S bends and I find those aerobars a lot more comfortable for ME and my bike fit setup. Edited by amiine 2007-03-09 9:17 AM |
2007-03-09 9:37 AM in reply to: #717095 |
Cycling Guru 15134 Fulton, MD | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars I've got R-bends and haven't had any issues yet ...... (Picture 021.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Picture 021.jpg (51KB - 20 downloads) |
2007-03-09 9:58 AM in reply to: #717190 |
Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars amiine - Bottom line; choose what’s comfortable for YOU! I switched from ski bend to S bends and I find those aerobars a lot more comfortable for ME and my bike fit setup. Interesting... So if it's comfortable in the fitting, it should be comfortable after a long ride? |
2007-03-09 9:59 AM in reply to: #717246 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars Daremo - 2007-03-09 9:37 AM I've got R-bends and haven't had any issues yet ...... Same as an s-bend of course, just VisionTech's name for it. |
2007-03-09 10:10 AM in reply to: #717292 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars dontracy - 2007-03-09 9:58 AM amiine - Bottom line; choose what’s comfortable for YOU! I switched from ski bend to S bends and I find those aerobars a lot more comfortable for ME and my bike fit setup. Interesting... So if it's comfortable in the fitting, it should be comfortable after a long ride? My guess is that it will be hard to know for sure since whatever you have will be new to you. I'd go with what your gut says is most comfortable during the fit though. While the frame is a big committment, the bars can easily be changed later at little net cost (e-bay or classified one set & buy new ones). Some shops (don't know about Cadence) may even let you swap bars within some period. |
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2007-03-09 10:16 AM in reply to: #717095 |
Extreme Veteran 432 Pelzer, SC | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars interesting read. Very one sided, but interesting. Has anyone out there ever put Tri bike handlebars on thier road bike? I've been thinking about getting some aerobars, but I also want to be able to shift. just thought I'd ask. I don't mean to hijack. |
2007-03-09 10:20 AM in reply to: #717334 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars TROGDOR - 2007-03-09 10:16 AM interesting read. Very one sided, but interesting. Has anyone out there ever put Tri bike handlebars on thier road bike? I've been thinking about getting some aerobars, but I also want to be able to shift. just thought I'd ask. I don't mean to hijack. Haven't yet, but debating it. I use my bike at least 90% of the time on solo rides and tris so it would make some sense. But I'm comfortable in the drops on descents and have gotten used to the shifting issues so have put it off to date at least. |
2007-03-09 10:24 AM in reply to: #717340 |
Philadelphia, south of New York and north of DC | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars JohnnyKay - Haven't yet, but debating it. Isn't the Soloist a tri specific frame anyway? |
2007-03-09 11:19 AM in reply to: #717095 |
Champion 10668 Tacoma, Washington | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars This had probably already been discussed here, but I haven't read the whole thread, so I'll risk repeating... Read the thread on SlowTwitch where Tom posted the link to that article (and the x-ray pics). Pretty interesting discussion. In the end, basically it was the consensus that the article said nothing useful, and in some cases was entirely wrong (not to mention the stupid high risk of doing all those x-rays...). Really, it's a matter of comfort. I can't do the really shallow s-bends like the T2+, and the whole reason I wanted to even try them was because I wanted the pads to mount closer to the base bar (it can be done, but not as the T2+ come stock, and it puts the extension and s-part too low). I like the looks of the Blackwell "Relief" extensions, though I haven't tried them. |
2007-03-09 11:45 AM in reply to: #717095 |
Expert 1103 Plano, TX | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars Actually, the main point of Tom's article was that, in his experience conducting many fits for his customers, he has observed that the people tend to prefer the comfort of ski bends over the s-bends. (Not everyone, just more than 50%.) Now, his search for a physiological reason behind this preference may have been flawed (and was hashed out quite a bit on the slowtwitch thread). However, his underlying observation remains. This doesn't say that one or the other is better, only that real world experience with customer's preference does not seem corrolated with the advertising and marketing which seems to push s-bends as the latest-and-greatest. |
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2007-03-09 12:07 PM in reply to: #717347 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars dontracy - 2007-03-09 10:24 AM JohnnyKay - Haven't yet, but debating it. Isn't the Soloist a tri specific frame anyway? Actually, it's an aero road frame. Sort of a hybrid, but more road than tri.
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2007-03-09 12:52 PM in reply to: #717095 |
Extreme Veteran 437 | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars When aero bars first came out they followed what the down hill skiers where doing when they placed their hands in front of their faces to be more aero dynamic. The S-bend puts the riders hands farther from the racer's face. I would like to see some wind tunnel testig with S-bend vs ski bend with the riders hands up in front of the face. |
2007-03-09 1:21 PM in reply to: #717095 |
Master 2125 | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars My bike came with S bends. Sure my wrists were sore the first few times I rode but thats part of the suffering (LOL). I'm still getting used to neck and butt pains so what's a little wrist pain. I don't plan on changing them out. |
2007-03-09 3:03 PM in reply to: #717095 |
Elite 3223 Hendersonville | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars I just switched to S bends and wish I had done it sooner. I find them much more comfortable and natural. I always felt scrunched up with the cowhorns. I like that the s-bends allow me to either drape my fingers over the top of the shifter or I can move farther back and have a better grip. I just LOVE them!! Now this is just my personal experience, but something amazing happened as soon as I got those s-bends. My first ride with them was a 73 miler and I averaged 18mph. My long ride average speed up to that point had been about 16mph. I don't know if I just got myself more stretched out and comfortable with the s-bends or if there were other factors (I also started riding more in my big chain ring), but I can say that I feel much more comfortable on my bike. I guess it is all personal comfort. I find s-bends much more comfortable, but I guess most people don't. |
2007-03-09 3:21 PM in reply to: #717095 |
Champion 19812 MA | Subject: RE: S-Bend vs Ski-Bend aero bars Ski-bend type...other type doesn't feel natural at all to me. Cool another BTer with a K Factor...love the bike...hope it works for you and you have many happy & fast miles with it. I swaped out lots from the part package...different base bar/aerobars, compact crank, different saddle, different cassette, different wheels....just perfect for me. |
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