GrooveTime!group - CLOSED!!! (Page 71)

stevebradley - 2010-02-24 8:11 AM TRACEY - I think that just about any road bike can be fitted with tri gear. Clip-on aerobars will just attach to the handlebars on either side of the stem (think: "knob" in middle of handlebars), and that's that. On a road bike you'll have integrated brake/shift levers out at the front of the drops (where your hands go), so the aerobars will not impair your shifting or braking. More advanced aerobars, such as mine, will have "bar-end shifters", meaning the shifting is done only there; there are no hifters near the drops. That's a hugh benefit for shifting while one is in the aero position, where I am about 96% of the time. But many people new to serious cycling don't like that at all, as it effectively removes thier hands from the near-vicinity of the brakes. (In scary situations, however, riders "come off" their aerobars and keep their hands right next to the brakes.) ANYHOW, for you the brake/shift levers would be integrated, and the clip-on aerobars would be there just to allow you to get aero in optimal conditions, such as flats on which you don't have to shift or brake very much. They are a great investment in both speed and comfort, and a good model - the Century, from Profile Design - used to cost about $55. A "forward" seat post is also something that can be switched in very easily to any road bike, and what it does is shift your position on the bike. However (but this is a small however), you usually need to change some other aspects of your fitting to accommodate the new geometry of the bike. A forward seat post make the geometry "steeper", which helps in several areas, but mostly in running more easily after the bike. More on that later, though. A third doohickey might be a bottle-holder that will attach to the seat post and stick out behind the saddle. This will hold two bottles, which is good for longer races or rides, but far less valuable for shorter stuff. And related to this is an "aero bottle", which will snug down between the arms of your aerobars. These have a long, thick straw, and with them drinking becomes a matter of simply leaning your head down and/or forward a bit, and sipping. No hands required, and virtually no body movement! The old stand-bys of these are still made by Profile Design, although many newer and more fancy models have come along. The final item, which has been talked about here before, involves pedals and compatible shoes --- but they too can be fitted on to any road bike, so that is not a concern as you shop around. I guess the bottom line here is that ALL of the above are able to be retro-fitted to any road bike. Or so I think. Remember, things mechanical and technological are generally anathema to me, but in this case I'm pretty sure I haven't said anything that is way off-course. However, it is worth it to go shopping with a list of possible add-ons, and just asked the merchant if this and this and this and this can be added on later, or even as part of the whole initial purchase. With my first bike, I had the aerobars attached as part of the buying process. Check some of these toys out at www.tri-zone.com, or look for the website for Profile Design.