The Aero position

On a road bike I take it?

It's almost certainly your fit. You are likely too stretched out.

Not a dumb question at all as Aero bars do take some time to get used to and will take longer if you are not positioned correctly and fitted to the bike.

Question is:  How do you feel that you will fall off the bike?  Is it that you feel like you are too far forward on the seat or are you leaning too far over the bars or something else?  Sorry for the questions, but I think it would help if you describe the issue.

I started riding a year ago, and I started with a tri bike.  It took me a little while to feel confident in aero.  I couldn't handle the initial bike fit I received and had to adjust my fit gradually as fitness and confidence increased. 

But I never felt like I was going to fall off, nor was I much/any slower in aero than I was out of aero.  So, my guess is that you should adjust your fit.

wish i could help but for what it's worth i also just got aero bars and took a few attemps to get used to them but i am flying... for me its like why did'nt i do this before, but i know someone on here will have some advice. good luck

Yes, should have clarified, definitely feel too stretched and leaning down.  I have tried to increase the height of my handlebar/stem.  I am assuming with a road bike it would not help.

OK, you're stretched out and possibly have too long a reach on that frame for your body.  A lot of this will depend on your body type and proportions, athleticism and goals so your bike shop can help you best because they will be able to see you on the bike. 

Here's some thoughts, though.

If (notice I said "if" because we're guessing here) the reach is too long and your bike frame is too big, you are probably better off with a new bike.  Your bike shop should be able to tell you that.  That's the bad news (or good news if you are looking for a new bike).

But, if you don't want to consider a new bike, or the frame is just slightly too big, than you might consider a few mods such as a shorter stem and shorty clip-ons.  Also,a forward seat post could be considered but might not do the trick as it would screw with the saddle height.

BTW - doing mods can be great but watch the price as you could quickly run up the cost to where a bike that fits you could be purchased after selling your old one.

Get yourself to your LBS.

Okay, I have tried a shorter stem but it makes my hands go numb from leaning too forward on the handlebars.  I am more comfortable with a even reach.  Guess it would be best just to save up for a better fitted bike.  Thanks for all the advice!!!

What kind of clip-ons are you using? For a road bike, you need to use something shorter like the Profile Jammers. Road bikes have a longer top-tube... with the wrong clip-ons it is very easy to get too far forward.

Edited by TaylorB 2009-09-16 12:45 PM

Fit aside, I think they take a bit of getting used to. As you use them more, you'll find cadence, turning, and even climbing get easier and more natural. Once you're sure the fit is right, I'd keep on working on it.

Before resorting to a new bike, it'd be better to pay for a fitting or failing that post some pictures of yourself on a trainer both static (not moving) and then also some pedaling shots for us to look at. It may not be as good as a fitting, but you might get some good feedback.

Same as the others have said...

You are too stretch out if you try to get into aero on a road bike (without adjustments).

A road bike has a seat tube angle about 73 degrees.  A tri bike has a steeper angle of about 78 degrees.  That alone puts you further forward.  Then of course are the stem adjustments...

You can fix some of this witha shorter stem and a setback seat post (flipped).  Which is basically a seat post with a bend in it that moves the seat further back (normal position) or forward (flipped position).  I have a Thompson Elite post on my road bike.  I can flip it and move the seat forward if I want.  http://www.trisports.com/thelsetbase.html

Getting in the right position will help tremendously.  However, even in the right position, riding in aero is still a bit twitchy.  I like saying the bike feels "nervous" (or is that the rider?!?!?!!?).  It takes some getting used to to feel steady.  Oversteer is a big initial problem you have to get used to.  Smaller correction are needed while in aero to stay in a straight line.

Aero takes a while to get used to, and the bike is a lot more nervous. It took me quite a while to get used to it, and it only felt comfy after I went for a proper fit, took about 2 hours, cost me about a US$100 but it was worth every cent. I think that going for a fit will solve a lot of your (if not all) your problems on the bike. Cycling is just so technical today and I think the pro's just know what little  tweak will make you comfy.
 In my case I just could not get comfortable in the saddle and no matter what it just did not feel right. Turned out my one leg is slightly shorted than the other, the LBS solved it by putting a small plate, about 3mm thick in the one shoe and that fixed the saddle problem. Now that is something that I never would have thought of in a million years. Bike fit is your answer, a lot cheaper than changing your bike.