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Aero and climbing hills
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 2009-07-02 9:08 AM |
Regular  187   Barrie, Ontario, Canada |  Subject: Aero and climbing hillsAfter reading through a thread on adding aero bars to a road bike a question came to mind. I ride in an area with lots of hills requiring me to change gears quite often. It is rare for me to remain in the same gear for more than 3-4 mins. I'm new to triathlons this year and have been riding a mountain bike so far. I am really liking the training and my first tri experience was great and I expect to continue in the sport. I am now considering a new bike and have done all kinds of reading on the whole tri bike versus road bike issue and am not going to revisit that issue here but to help me make my decision I have a couple of specific questions. Is hill climbing normally done in the aero position? People commonly put aero bars on a road bike but given the hilly terrain I ride, is this even an option considering I would be reaching out of aero constantly to switch gears? |
| 2009-07-02 9:22 AM in reply to: #2257906 |
Regular 58 Durango, Colorado | Subject: RE: Aero and climbing hills I have aero bars on my road bike and typically only use them on the flats. When I'm riding hills and still want to be in an aero postition, I usually just use my drop bars. It makes it so much easier to shift as I'm riding and I can stay in that position. |
| 2009-07-02 9:23 AM in reply to: #2257906 |
Master 1517  Western MA near the VT & NH border on the CT river | Subject: RE: Aero and climbing hills I try and stay in aero as much as possible. Even on hills. I live in a hilly area and I have clip ons. I've found that I gain 1mph in aero than on the bars going up a hill. I can leave one arm on the aero bars and shift w/ my right. It only takes a couple seconds and you not that far out of aero. It may take some time to be comfortable going one handed while in aero. It just takes practice. But yes - aero bars are worth it IMO, even in hilly terrain. Going downhill - depends on the pitch, length and amount of curves. I still try and stay in aero, but a good tuck on the drops (near the brakes) doesnt take that much away from my speed. But I feel more secure being closer to the brakes, especially knowing that a car can pull out of a driveway at anytime so I will opt for drops for most long and fast hills. Edited by ratherbesnowboarding 2009-07-02 9:27 AM |
| 2009-07-02 9:27 AM in reply to: #2257906 |
Master 2021 Alpharetta, GA | Subject: RE: Aero and climbing hills I have a tri-bike, and mainly stay in aero while climbing, so I can shift while climbing. However, I will drop off to the pursuit bars if it is a nasty hill. It is just a quick reach with one hand if I need to shift while on the pursuit bars. I mainly ride hills as well. |
| 2009-07-02 9:33 AM in reply to: #2257906 |
Veteran 499 El Segundo, CA | Subject: RE: Aero and climbing hills I would say it depends on the grade of the hill. If it's steep enough to slow me down to the point that wind resistance becomes negligible, I don't see the point in using aero bars during climbing. I'd rather ride on the brake hoods so that I have the option to get off the saddle and mash if necessary. BTW, I've tried standing to ride up a hill while keeping my arms on the aerobars. It doesn't really work. That said, aero bars are definitely worth having for riding on flat terrain and, if you're crazy brave enough, descents. |
| 2009-07-02 9:38 AM in reply to: #2257906 |
Master 1651 Breckenridge, CO | Subject: RE: Aero and climbing hills For me it all depends on how much wind resistance I'm feeling on the climb. Since here wind normally blows down the hills I'm on my aerobars very often when climbing. When I start to struggle, I'll alternate between standing/sitting and then when I'm in the saddle I'm usually on the hoods because I can get some leverage on the bars which helps me maintain a gear. As far as having to come off the aero bars to change gears, it's so second nature to me that I don't even notice it. Edited by breckview 2009-07-02 9:40 AM |
| 2009-07-02 9:42 AM in reply to: #2257906 |
Elite 3683 Whispering Pines, North Carolina | Subject: RE: Aero and climbing hills road bike with clip ons... i get out of aero to climb, for convenience and safety, but stay as aero as possible downhill, my hands are near the brakes. |
| 2009-07-02 9:52 AM in reply to: #2258004 |
Master 2021 Alpharetta, GA | Subject: RE: Aero and climbing hills Longshot - 2009-07-02 10:33 AM BTW, I've tried standing to ride up a hill while keeping my arms on the aerobars. It doesn't really work It will work, but you have to keep the nose of the saddle between your legs (or the rear of your legs specifically). Doing so keeps the rear of the bike stable. If I do that it is on smaller hills that need a little extra mashing, and I keep the nose right between my legs, below my butt checks. It definitely takes practice to get used to. |
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