Hilly course + clip ons = not that useful?

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2009-07-06 12:40 PM

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Subject: Hilly course + clip ons = not that useful?
Just wondering how those with clipons deal with hilly courses, primarily with respect to shifting. With clip ons, the shifting is still on the hoods and so with a rolling hilly course, I find it's hard to keep going in and out of aero to shift.

I've experimented with taking a bit of an aggressive shifting strategy but sometimes it leads to grinding my legs or spinning too much before hitting the real meat of a climb.

Thoughts? Comments?

2009-07-06 12:44 PM
in reply to: #2264978

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Member
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Subject: RE: Hilly course + clip ons = not that useful?
Use your discretion... Dont stay on the Aero bars just because its "Aero" If you are going to be losing tonnes of speed/power up the hill what is the point..

Ride the aero bars as far as you can, and then just switch it up the hoods to maintain your power as best you can...
2009-07-06 12:44 PM
in reply to: #2264978

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Extreme Veteran
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Alexandria, VA
Subject: RE: Hilly course + clip ons = not that useful?
I don't use my aerobars when Im climbing, usually. Unless Im hoping to maintain my momentum and just roll over the hill, then I'll reach over with my right hand and downshift while staying in aero.
2009-07-06 12:47 PM
in reply to: #2264978

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Master
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Loughborough, England
Subject: RE: Hilly course + clip ons = not that useful?
You only have to move one arm 30cm or so...

If you're going fast enough for the aero bars to be useful then I would stay in them.  If you're climbing and going slow then just ride on the hoods.
2009-07-06 12:52 PM
in reply to: #2265001

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Not a Coach
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Media, PA
Subject: RE: Hilly course + clip ons = not that useful?
tridantri - 2009-07-06 1:47 PM You only have to move one arm 30cm or so...

If you're going fast enough for the aero bars to be useful then I would stay in them.  If you're climbing and going slow then just ride on the hoods.


Ditto.  You shouldn't have to go 'in and out' of aero to shift gears.
2009-07-06 12:58 PM
in reply to: #2264978

Iron Donkey
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Subject: RE: Hilly course + clip ons = not that useful?

I haven't had any problems, and I ride the IM Moo course, and worse, Horribly Hilly Hundreds, on my tri-bike.  Those hills are killers!

2009-07-06 4:15 PM
in reply to: #2264978

Regular
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Subject: RE: Hilly course + clip ons = not that useful?
What a useful thread! I have clip on aerobars (very old school though) and I thought I'd have to go completely back to the hoods/drops to change gears.  When I get up the courage to use them, I'll tryto remember that I should be able to shift without changing much.
2009-07-06 7:34 PM
in reply to: #2264978

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Master
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Riverside, IL
Subject: RE: Hilly course + clip ons = not that useful?
x3 on staying in aero while shifting...I do it all the time.  It does take a little bit of practice at first, but once you get the technique down...it's no big deal, just a matter of sliding the right hand over to tap that shifter and then right back onto the armrest pad. 
2009-07-06 8:09 PM
in reply to: #2264978

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Master
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Breckenridge, CO
Subject: RE: Hilly course + clip ons = not that useful?
merlin2375 - 2009-07-06 11:40 AM
Just wondering how those with clipons deal with hilly courses, primarily with respect to shifting. With clip ons, the shifting is still on the hoods and so with a rolling hilly course, I find it's hard to keep going in and out of aero to shift.

I've experimented with taking a bit of an aggressive shifting strategy but sometimes it leads to grinding my legs or spinning too much before hitting the real meat of a climb.

Thoughts? Comments?


I have clip-ons on my road bike and I'm in aero on the climbs all the time if I feel wind resistance. I never come out of aero to shift and it's so natural for me that it's just as easy as if I was on the hoods. I think it just takes a lot of practice before it becomes totally natural.
2009-07-06 8:18 PM
in reply to: #2264978

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New Haven, CT
Subject: RE: Hilly course + clip ons = not that useful?

Attended a lecture on IMLP and the coach who was lecturing said stay in your areobars until you are under 8 mph or as long as possible before you feel too unstable.

I am a crappy biker, on a crappy bike with crappy clip-ons and I gain 2-3+ mph on flats when I am areo over the hoods (too much of a sissy to ride areo going down hill as m handling skills are simply pathetic).  That is a lot of speed for $45. IMO. 

2009-07-06 8:29 PM
in reply to: #2265952

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Champion
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Northridge, California
Subject: RE: Hilly course + clip ons = not that useful?
nscrbug - 2009-07-06 5:34 PM x3 on staying in aero while shifting...I do it all the time.  It does take a little bit of practice at first, but once you get the technique down...it's no big deal, just a matter of sliding the right hand over to tap that shifter and then right back onto the armrest pad. 


X4...

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