Aero bars

i was a bit apprehensive before I bought some clip-on aerobars. I read about how hard it is to adjust and things like that. But I went ahead and purchased them anyway.

Install was easy, my first ride didn't feel quite right so I narrowed the bars a bit and made them more comfortable. After that it was fantastic. I was able to stay in the bars for about 90% of all of my rides since putting them on.

I do have a random issue on the front page, but it shouldn't discredit aerobars at all. It just happens I bought the wrong used aerobars

I couldn't imagine not having them now. especially because where I live there is really heavy wind and although it is still hard with headwind, the aerobars help a lot.

agree with poster above; aerobars are awesome.  i think they're quite necessary and you should train to be in the aero position as much as possible.

but that being said, not having aero bars is not a big deal either.

You will go faster with aerobars; they are the single biggest upgrade you can make.

Riding in them takes some practice to get comfortable, and to steer well; so the ride may not be "easier" but you will go faster.

IMO get a set of highly adjustable clipons (ex. Profile T2+) so you can dial in your position.

audiojan - 2012-08-30 6:50 AM If you decide to get a pair of aero bars, get ITU (shortie) bats. They'll allow you to maintain your road position and what ever you do, do not change a dialed-in road position to accommodate the aero bars, get the aero bars that adjusts to you instead...

+1

I'm against the Fast Forward seatpost personally, but to each their own.

I am also looking at getting Aero Bars and plan on practicing with them in the off season.

Does anyone have a preference with either of the following?

1. Vision TT Mini
2. Profile Design T2

Thanks,

Rick

Of those two, i think the better shorty bars are the Vision TT Mini- the Profile design T2 isnt really a shorty bar.

I think a yet better option is the Profile design T3 http://www.profile-design.com/profile-design/products/aerobars/aluminum-aerobars but then you need to slide the bars WAY WAY back (and cut off the back parts where they stick behind the handles) if you are going to use them on a road bike.

BY FAR the #1 error people make putting aerobars on road bikes is making the setup way too long- assuming (big assumption) your ride bike was fit right, you should be looking at a max of around 6" of aerobar sticking out beyond the road bike handlebars- they will look VERY short compared to what is on a tri bike.

Once you get the bars on, take a pic, or a video, or have a friend measure the angle from your hips to your shoulders then down to your elbows when on the aerobars- you want that angle around 90 degrees- if its greater than 90 degrees your bars are too far forward and should be slid back (or your seat, forward and slightly up)