Aerobars on a Road Bike? (Page 2)

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2009-07-02 6:20 AM
in reply to: #2257523

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Subject: RE: Aerobars on a Road Bike?
skuzy - 2009-07-02 6:33 AM hi folks Just saw this thread.. i recently just got aero bars fitted to my road bike.. i honestly feel that my back isnt flat enough to be gain any aerodynamic benefits from this. What do others think? Has everyone lowered their bars?


Part of the aerodynamic gain, as I understand it, is from narrowing your front profile as well.  You cut through the wind resistance this way by moving your arms closer together. Even without a flat back, you also lower your overall position. 

And put me in the camp of using aerobars on road bikes since I started tri'ing in the early 90's.  I don't spend enough time in aeroposition (or frankly on the bike overall) to justify a tri-bike.

2009-07-02 10:07 AM
in reply to: #2225076

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Subject: RE: Aerobars on a Road Bike?

I put Profile Design T2 clip-ons AND a Fast Forward seat post on my Specialized Tarmac. I feel the seat post help me be less stretched out, but I guess I could have put a shorter stem on for the same results. The slightly different geometry had me more sore for a few rides, but after I adapted I really like the setup. Since then I have been putting together a true tri-bike and once it is built up I am not sure I will change the Tarmac back to a plain roadie. I like the extra hand positions I have with it.

2009-07-02 1:39 PM
in reply to: #2225076

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Subject: RE: Aerobars on a Road Bike?

Put them on, but go to a LBS that understands tri-bike fitting, and have them fit you with them.  They can advise whether you need a fast-forward seat post or not, and possibly a new stem.  What works for one person won't necessarily work for another, so don't assume that you either need to switch out your seat post and/or stem, or that you don't need to switch them.  Only a fitting will tell you what you need, but in most cases, some additional adjustments will be necessary.

A good fitter can even set you up with an effective geometry between a road bike and a tri bike if that's where you're most comfortable.

2009-07-02 11:31 PM
in reply to: #2228338

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Subject: RE: Aerobars on a Road Bike?

rc63413 - 2009-06-19 7:18 AM
Aerobars on road bike are great.  I am still not convinced I can ride my tribike faster than my road bike with aerobars.  On my road bike, the aerobars drop me down into a much more powerful position and aerodynamic at the same time.  My tri bike drops me down into a more aerodynamic position, but alters the muscles that I am fatiguing - seemingly less powerful. 


I'm glad to hear everyone's positive results (comfort, 1-2 mph gain, etc).  But I haven't heard anyone mention the effect on running.  Isn't one of the tri bike geometry advantages supposed to be that you're able to run better (faster, or less fatigued, or something)? 

Has anyone done training bricks over the same course only switching between their road bike with aero bars and their tri bike?  Any difference in your running pace at similar HR?  Yes, I agree either setup has to be comfortable, but which is best for age grouper triathletes?  Are tri bikes worth it, when you consider your overall race time?

Bill
road bike with clip-ons, and comfortable & fast fit

2009-07-03 1:01 PM
in reply to: #2259787

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Subject: RE: Aerobars on a Road Bike?
AtlantaBill - 2009-07-03 12:31 AM

rc63413 - 2009-06-19 7:18 AM
Aerobars on road bike are great.  I am still not convinced I can ride my tribike faster than my road bike with aerobars.  On my road bike, the aerobars drop me down into a much more powerful position and aerodynamic at the same time.  My tri bike drops me down into a more aerodynamic position, but alters the muscles that I am fatiguing - seemingly less powerful. 


I'm glad to hear everyone's positive results (comfort, 1-2 mph gain, etc).  But I haven't heard anyone mention the effect on running.  Isn't one of the tri bike geometry advantages supposed to be that you're able to run better (faster, or less fatigued, or something)? 

Has anyone done training bricks over the same course only switching between their road bike with aero bars and their tri bike?  Any difference in your running pace at similar HR?  Yes, I agree either setup has to be comfortable, but which is best for age grouper triathletes?  Are tri bikes worth it, when you consider your overall race time?

Bill
road bike with clip-ons, and comfortable & fast fit



I've heard a lot of people claim that, but I've never seen any studies that prove it.  My belief is that it doesn't really make a difference for your run (unless you use the improved aerodynamics to ride at the same pace as you did without the bars to conserve energy and have fresher legs off the bike, but that's no fun!), and the only thing that helps you run better off the bike is better conditioning.

2009-07-04 10:08 AM
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Subject: RE: Aerobars on a Road Bike?
AtlantaBill - 2009-07-02 10:31 PM
Has anyone done training bricks over the same course only switching between their road bike with aero bars and their tri bike? 

I'm far more fatigued after a hard effort on my TT bike compared to on my road bike. But (I think) it's only because I've ridden road geometry (w/clip-ons) for so many years. I'm trying to adjust to the steeper effective seat angle on my TT bike, which for me has been a "process".

I have no opinion on whether "most people" can run better after riding at a steeper angle and personally I don't really care.

2009-07-04 10:33 AM
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Subject: RE: Aerobars on a Road Bike?
AtlantaBill - 2009-07-03 1:31 AM

I'm glad to hear everyone's positive results (comfort, 1-2 mph gain, etc).  But I haven't heard anyone mention the effect on running.  Isn't one of the tri bike geometry advantages supposed to be that you're able to run better (faster, or less fatigued, or something)? 


There is one study that suggested that somehow riding a steeper geometry would save the legs for the run but IMO, the conclusions drawn by the study were no supported by the data.  However, this result has found its way into triathlon mythology so most people have at one point or another heard about how a tribike can help you run faster.

The benefit of the tribike is that it allows you to get into a more aerodynamic position on the bike and therefore ride faster for the same effort.

Shane
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