Aero Bars for HIM?

Aerobars will make you a little bit faster but it is certainly possible to do the HIM without them. I did my HIM without any Aero bars. I kind of wish I had them, just because it's more time I could have taken off.

It is the cheapest speed you will ever buy.  I think the setup is more comfortable than the drops for that length of race - hence you are more likely to stay down.  I have them on my road bike and keep them on it most of the time, it just gives me an additional position if I want or need it.

I would definitely at least recommend giving them a try.  You can get some used ones from the classified section of this site for real cheap.  Although you are comfortable without them, I think you would be really happy with the investment.  They should make you faster and once you get used to them, you will probably find the aero position quite comfortable.

Greg, what aerobars do you have on your road bike?  I wasn't going to use them on my road bike and I already have a set of PD Jammers, but maybe I should consider them for IMWI.  What do you think?

Sounds like I should give em a try.  I appreciate the feedback!

I have a similar road bike that I put on Profile Design T2+  Love them! they fit nice and feels good for the geometry of the bike.  I put in the bar riser blocks which made a big difference in making the fit right for me.

What I especially like is to relieve the numbness in my hands that I get with the drops. I don't get any numbness when on the aerobars..

you might consider changing the seat post if you want a more aero position. Like PD's Fast Forward.

Put em on ... if for no other reason other than you look like you can go faster.  I have some  added to my roadie and really like them for an added comfy position.  Ride in the lots prior to your event.  I did a HIM last year and only rode a few times in the bars.  My shoulders KILLED me during the run.

I have the Profile design Air strike 2000.  I really love them.  I am still not certain that I am better off on my tri bike than my road bike.  I will have to do some time trialing and test myself this year in both set ups.  I ran very well off my road bike at Steelhead two years ago and I think I stay pretty aero yet generate more power on my road bike.

I have heard IMWI can be a bit hilly, though I am not certain if it would warrant a road bike.  I will say, the aero bars are the best purchase I have ever made in cycling, 1-2 mph when I drop down.  It not only makes me more aero on my road bike, but the position is that much more powerful.  I think my physique, long upper torso, short legs might play into my favoring my road bike.  Its position is rather agressive, but I am fairly flexible.

I'd probably test a couple of times and then make the decision. 

Greg, my goodness had I known I would have told you before - you are missing out.  The road racers etc like the drops because they are aero and you still have very good handling/control.  You will love them, they drop you down into a more powerful position, but more importantly they give you a much nicer position (at least for me) than the drops.  The forces are spread out so much better.  From a comfort standpoint, the aerobars feel perhaps a little better than riding on the hoods and certainly for a long ride that is the way to go.  It is the cheapest speed that money can buy. 

When does your IMWI plan/training begin? 

Placebo effect? I was actually thinking the exact same thing. Looks like aero is the way to go.

Have you tried riding with the Jammers?  I have used a couple of different aerobars on road bikes and I find shorty aerobars the best.

Shane

I honestly just throw them on my road bike; however, this is only for draft legal racing so the aerobars are only used if I am pulling (~30 second rotation) or if I am dropped.

Are you not staying in them because they are not physically comfortable?  If so, it may be worth it to have somone have a look at your fit with the aerobars and see if they are tweaks you should make.  If, it is just a matter of getting used to riding longer periods of time in the bars, then put them on and build up the time you can spend in the bars.

Shane

I suggest you get a PD Fast Forward seat post (or equivalent) and aerobars and then do your fit. The seat post will help you achieve the geometry of a tri bike. A fast forward seat post will allow you to ride steep and comfortably in your aerobars.

I would suggest that before he goes the FF seatpost route that he considers whether or not he wants to add the aerobars as an alternate position on his road bike but keep the current setup or if he wants to turn his road bike into a pseudo tribike.

If he wants to go pseudo tribike, then the FF seatpost and full sized aerobars (and likely a new stem) will be in order.  If however, he is looking for a roadbike with an aero option, then I would go with the shorty bars he has with no other changes.

Shane

I also understand that you have to take into consideration the type of race.  Areo is only good for fast flat races.  If there are ALOT of hills, then you won't in using them.

Not really; there are very few triathlon courses that would be hilly and/or technical enough for me to leave my tribike home.

There are occasions where I will climb seated instead of aero but you will still benefit from being aero as you descend.

Shane

Deafinatly!! I find them MUCH more comfortable than drops

I'm doing my first HIM in June w/o the aerobars - just using my Trek 2.1 the way it came.  The winters here are long so I wouldn't have enough time to get comfortable in aero before the June race.  Luckily I don't have a time goal plus I'm so small that my arms don't get tired holding me up on the drops or hoods.

I'm planning on being aero when I do the same HIM in 2011 and am sure between that and experience I'll take a whole crapload of time off my 2010 time.

While whether you use aerobars or not is a personal choice, trainer rides are a great time to get used to aerobars without having to worry about differences in handling.  Then, when you get out on the road, you will have plenty of time to get used to the aerobars (I would expect you can ride outside sometime in April at the latest).

Shane

Thanks Shane!  I thought most of the "adjustment" to aero would be with handling and spending time in aero on the trainer wouldn't help much.  Thanks for the correction - I'll definitely keep that in mind!  (And yes, even here you can start heading out in late April as long as there's no late snow making the roads slippery - we had a JUNE snow this year.)