Whizzzzz's Group -- Full! (Page 12)

It took me a couple of years and several bike fits to get really comfortable in my aerobars. So if you're not totally at ease yet... keep trying... practice practice practice!

Make sure your aerobars are positioned correctly. Nothing is worse than aerobars gone wrong. It's very easy to fall. Look here, at my first triathlon with a road bike and aerobars... they were SO FAR apart, there's no WAY I could have safely used them. I installed them myself. Plus it was raining, my bike was too big, and I was scared to death in general.

Here is a better shot of aerobars in use. This is from last year. I've got different ones now, and my fit is even better. It's a process.

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My first thought, well after I managed to think in words rather than primal fear, when I tried aero bars was "I see why all the emphasis on core strength", followed a few minutes later by, "it's good I have to do push-ups".

Steering is mainly done with body position in aero. For minor adjustments and steady curves, I'm fine. For U-turns and the like, I feel handicapped.

I knew I was getting more comfortable in aero when I found myself cycling down Pennsylvania Ave during business hours in aero. It was the same feeling I had when I once answered my mobile on my bike - "This seems to be working OK, but I'm not sure it's the best idea. How many times have I dropped this helmet and why haven't I taped a copy of my living will into it?"

I actually have different aerobars now... I went from the Profile Carbons on the blue bike (they were a loaner pair from my brother in law) to the Profile Air Stryke flip up armpad type... Which I liked fine... except for the fact that they rattled around while riding... ALOT. And they seemed to come loose too... That rattling is fine for 30-40 miles... but once you're pushing 4+ hours listening to your aerobars... you just want to scream.

When I had my bike re-fit, my coach LOWERED my front end...took out all the spacers under my handlebars...so my aerobars didn't FIT anymore. I now have a very low front end and Syntace aerobars. They seem much sturdier. They are 2 pieces... rather than the 1 piece Profile Air Strykes.

I don't have a current photo of my bike... will take one when I get home... so you can see how low the front end is. Looks sorta cool.  

You'll know when you feel comfortable in aero... like Laura said... I started reaching for my bottles, taking off my armwarmers, and going downhill in aero... and I thought to myself... "I must be getting more confident in aero....." It took a couple of years, though... I'm sure others pick it up faster... I was always sort of a scardy cat in regard to the bike... I had 2 bad crashes my first year... Freaked me out a bit.

As for me, physically... I've lost my Egg McMuffin layer... a thick layer of egg and cheese which resided just below my skin... Heh. I've worked it off.  

Since we're playing show-and-tell, here's my entry:

My tri bike:

The bike I actually ride:

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And me:

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Nice to meet you Laura!!!

You've got a couple of pretty nice bikes going there... I am quite envious of the Cervelo. NIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICE.

Here's Lucy in her recently modified incarnation. Just a wee bit different than she was last year.

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Smart! Smart! Smart! What you didn't see is this picture:

I did 2 races on my mountain bike before I got my blue bike. And then I did a whole season on the blue bike before I invested in Lucy. Take your time, Beth. No rush.

I am also partial to Michelins.

Although some people swear by Continentals. Those are the only two brands I've heard people really REALLY endorse.

I have Pro Race Michelins on Lucy right now! Red ones! 

Nancy... only with more time in the saddle. I've done aggressive downhills many many times, and I only now am getting to the point where I don't lay on the brakes. It's individual comfort. Do what feels right for you. If you feel like you need to lay on the brakes to feel comfortable, then do it... just stay away from other people if you are riding with them.

One day... you'll find yourself in aero hurling yourself downhill and not giving it a second thought... but until then... do what makes you feel the least spooked.