General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Aero position on road bike Rss Feed  
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2006-07-12 1:24 PM

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Extreme Veteran
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Provo, UT (my heart is in Seattle)
Subject: Aero position on road bike

So I'm getting a set of aero bars in the mail today, and I'm wondering what I need to do to tweak my setup on my road bike to benefit most from the aerobars.  I have heard that you're supposed to move your seat forward.  I'm wondering:

1. If moving the seat forward is good advice

2. What else should I be doing (raising my seat, adjusting the seat angle, etc...)

Help me out team; I know running, but I sure don't know much about cycling! 



2006-07-12 1:33 PM
in reply to: #480438

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Resident Curmudgeon
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The Road Back
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Subject: RE: Aero position on road bike
  1. It depends
  2. It depends

Get thee to the LBS or other trained professional if you want it done right.

2006-07-12 1:49 PM
in reply to: #480457

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Extreme Veteran
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Provo, UT (my heart is in Seattle)
Subject: RE: Aero position on road bike
Yeah, I figured that much.  I hate it when that is the answer!  Thanks bear.
2006-07-12 2:02 PM
in reply to: #480438

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Master
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Pulaski TN
Subject: RE: Aero position on road bike
I put a forward seat post on my bike with my aero bars and it was a huge mistake. So my experience with converting was a bad one. So I just ordered a new tri bike to take care of that issue. So like Bear says just depends.
2006-07-12 2:10 PM
in reply to: #480519

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Expert
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Manchester, NH
Subject: RE: Aero position on road bike
cbost2678 - 2006-07-12 3:02 PMI put a forward seat post on my bike with my aero barsĀ and it was a huge mistake. So my experience with converting was a bad one. So I just ordered a new tri bike to take care of that issue. So like Bear says just depends.
I've been considering doing that - can you tell us why you feel it was a mistake? Thanks!
2006-07-12 2:24 PM
in reply to: #480438

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Master
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Rochester, NY
Subject: RE: Aero position on road bike
I had aerobars put on my road bike and had a professional fitting done. A few potentially useful tidbits:

1) According to the pro, you can't have a setup that will fit you perfectly for both drop bars and aero. You can be right on one and close on the other, but that the best you'll do.

2) Your bike is a road bike. It was designed to be ridden with drop handles. Its not a tri bike and it wasnt designed to be ridden in aero.

3) I like having the aero bars on my road bike. They are a bit faster than the drop bars. But they are much less stable to ride on. Your handling is substantially reduced while in aero.

4) I like having another position that I can comfortably ride in. But not being able to change gears or use the breaks while in aero limits its effectiveness.


2006-07-12 2:28 PM
in reply to: #480438

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Champion
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Rochester Hills, Michigan
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Subject: RE: Aero position on road bike

This article lays out the differences between tri and road bikes fairly concisely.  The specifics of which pitfalls may lay in wait....depend....on your specific setup (today), and the flexibility to change it.

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/bikes/difference.shtml

2006-07-12 2:33 PM
in reply to: #480529

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Master
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Pulaski TN
Subject: RE: Aero position on road bike

immyfish - 2006-07-12 2:10 PM
cbost2678 - 2006-07-12 3:02 PMI put a forward seat post on my bike with my aero bars and it was a huge mistake. So my experience with converting was a bad one. So I just ordered a new tri bike to take care of that issue. So like Bear says just depends.
I've been considering doing that - can you tell us why you feel it was a mistake? Thanks!

I beleive the reason that even with the forward seat post I was still extremeley stretched out.(nothing like the position on a true tri bike(mainly due to the geometryi---shorter top tube )) I have since then discussed this with others and they suggested that if I would of used the mini aero bars instead of the regular ones it would have possibly worked better in a sense I would not be so strethced across my bike.But if it feels comfortable and it allows you to go aero and keeps you in a positive pedaling position...its alot cheaper than a new tri bike. But hey I spent 150 dollars or so and got most of the money back so no harm no foul. Again just my two cents.

2006-07-12 2:37 PM
in reply to: #480438

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Crystal Lake, IL
Subject: RE: Aero position on road bike

I just fit myself and other than some knee pain that I think is a running injury I've had no problems.  I'll get fit someday but for now I'm comfortable enough on rides up to 2.5 hrs, my current max.  Road bike with Profile Carbon Strykes.

I went to a good LBS about a forward seat post and here's what he told me.  Try the regular seat first.  Then if you want to move forward there's either the Fast Forward post or (I forget what it's called) another post that just has a zero angle so it's less forward than the FF.  He recommended going zero angle first because he said EVERY post more aggressive than that has led to the rider coming back to complain about pain/injury which they believe is from the position on the bike.  Of course, that leaves open the question of whether those people got professionally fitted with the new seat post and whether he did the fitting or not.  ?

I always try to go the economical route so I would go with what feels right with the equipment you have.  If I were going to spend the money I'd spend it on a fitting before I'd spend it on the seat post unless I could also afford the fitting.

 

 



Edited by hangloose 2006-07-12 2:38 PM
2006-07-12 2:54 PM
in reply to: #480457

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Champion
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Sarasota, FL
Subject: RE: Aero position on road bike
the bear - 2006-07-12 2:33 PM
  1. It depends
  2. It depends

Get thee to the LBS or other trained professional if you want it done right.

Amen.  Due to my stumpy non-standard physique (short legs/long torso) the LBS actually raised my seat and moved it slightly backward to make my set-up work.  It also depends on where you're starting from.  If your current set up is off, then you might as well start from scratch.  It's very difficult, if not impossible to do it on your own - professional help is definitely the way to go.

Mark

2006-07-12 2:56 PM
in reply to: #480438

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Master
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South of SLC
Subject: RE: Aero position on road bike
Drew,

Put those on before Saturday so I can beat you...

Go to SBR and have one of their guys fit you. They do a great job and the owner is a stud. His name is Aaron and will most likely be in the shop when you go. He is a firefighter as well, so there are days he is not there.

They will take care of you.

Mike


2006-07-12 3:04 PM
in reply to: #480438

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Veteran
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Dothan, Alabama
Subject: RE: Aero position on road bike
I went to LBS a few weeks ago for an aero fit on my road bike - after installing my own aero bars and trying seat adjustmets myself. The fitter moved my seat as far up and forward as it would go, but said I still wasn't quite in a full aero position. I rode for a while without any problems, other than the "numbness" issues which have plagued me since I started riding this spring. In truth, even that has been less of an issue since I was properly fitted. Took the bike back today, and he installed the fast forward post. He checked my fit and said I'm as close to a tri/aero position as I'm going to get without a tri-bike. Now I just need to ride it a few times to see how it goes.
2006-07-12 3:59 PM
in reply to: #480438

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Veteran
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Highlands Ranch, CO
Subject: RE: Aero position on road bike
I fit my road bike with Aero bars last month. As stated earlier....it is not meant for aero position. I went to get fitted and the main thing we fit was my back being parallel to the ground while in aero. This recommendation may help you with the up/down of the seat. He did not move my seat up because I only anticipate being in aero about 25% of the time. I will be in regular road postion the other 75%. Alot of hills in Colorado that require shifting/braking.
2006-07-12 4:05 PM
in reply to: #480438

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Subject: RE: Aero position on road bike
I had my bike pretty well fit for me without aero bars on. I then put on Profile Jammer aerobars, which somebody on this site reccomended, I really like them. I actually found that I needed to put my saddle back about 7mm to feel right. Felt like by rather large but was about to slide off the back.
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General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Aero position on road bike Rss Feed