General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Talk to me about your aerobars Rss Feed  
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2006-09-12 12:20 PM

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Victoria, BC
Subject: Talk to me about your aerobars

Well, I decided to put some aerobars on my road bike, but I'm having problems setting them up correctly.  It's the classic dilemma, I suppose.  In order to get my upper arm and forearm at a 90 degree angle to one another, or close to that, I have to either sit so far forward I'm off my saddle or pull my arms back so that the middle of my forearm is in the pads.  Either of these positions is uncomfortable.  Sitting too far forward is, well, impossible because my saddle just doesn't go that far forward.  And pulling my arms back is uncomfortable because I can't support my weight that close to my wrist.  In fact, even if I do pull my arms back, I'm still sitting so far forward that I'm off my sit bones and squishing my soft tissue, which also hurts.

My road bike was professionally fitted and is quite comfy without the aerobars.  I know that one solution would be to just buy a tri bike, but I'm not ready to do that yet.  Plus, I see plenty of women (and men) riding road bikes with clip-ons.  The bars I bought are pretty adjustable, but I just can't seem to get them to work.

So, what gives?  Is there a trick to this?



2006-09-12 12:28 PM
in reply to: #538009

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Subject: RE: Talk to me about your aerobars
I would say (but I am DEFINITELY not an expert) that you might want to consider taking your bike and the aerobars to your LBS and they could set it up for you.
2006-09-12 12:48 PM
in reply to: #538009

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Subject: RE: Talk to me about your aerobars

My road bike was professionally fitted and is quite comfy without the aerobars.  I know that one solution would be to just buy a tri bike, but I'm not ready to do that yet.  Plus, I see plenty of women (and men) riding road bikes with clip-ons.  The bars I bought are pretty adjustable, but I just can't seem to get them to work.

So, what gives?  Is there a trick to this?

I would guess since you are adding the bars into the equation just now the fitting didnt take that into account.  A good fitter will take into account how you are riding and adjust accordingly, so riding in a different position, the old fitting doesnt mean much.  Let the LBS do it and have them adjust accordingly.  I ride a road bike that was set up on the fact I ride the aero bars that came with it.

2006-09-12 12:56 PM
in reply to: #538065

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Subject: RE: Talk to me about your aerobars
jszat - 2006-09-12 10:48 AM

My road bike was professionally fitted and is quite comfy without the aerobars.  I know that one solution would be to just buy a tri bike, but I'm not ready to do that yet.  Plus, I see plenty of women (and men) riding road bikes with clip-ons.  The bars I bought are pretty adjustable, but I just can't seem to get them to work.

So, what gives?  Is there a trick to this?

I would guess since you are adding the bars into the equation just now the fitting didnt take that into account.  A good fitter will take into account how you are riding and adjust accordingly, so riding in a different position, the old fitting doesnt mean much.  Let the LBS do it and have them adjust accordingly.  I ride a road bike that was set up on the fact I ride the aero bars that came with it.

 

I suppose I could go back to my bike fitter and pay him another $100 (he's worth it, for sure), but I'm not even sure what he could do.  I have the pads as close to the saddle as possible, and the saddle as far forward as possible.  I already have the shortest stem I could find. 

What's left to adjust?  Is there a special kind of aerobar that works better in this situation?  Sorry if these are dumb questions...it's all very new to me.

2006-09-12 1:04 PM
in reply to: #538077

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Subject: RE: Talk to me about your aerobars
did you rotate your seat post mount so it points forward?
2006-09-12 1:09 PM
in reply to: #538096

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Subject: RE: Talk to me about your aerobars

Birkierunner - 2006-09-12 11:04 AM did you rotate your seat post mount so it points forward?

No, I didn't try that.  I will do it tonight.  Thanks!!



2006-09-12 4:38 PM
in reply to: #538009

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Regular
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Subject: RE: Talk to me about your aerobars
Here's my take from a prior thread:
http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp...

Generally, adding aerobars to a well-fit road bike is tough. (And the better the road fit, the harder it is).
2006-09-12 5:24 PM
in reply to: #538510

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Subject: RE: Talk to me about your aerobars

westfried - 2006-09-12 2:38 PM Here's my take from a prior thread: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp... Generally, adding aerobars to a well-fit road bike is tough. (And the better the road fit, the harder it is).

Thanks for this!  Very helpful information.  I will work on it for a bit, but it may be time to start convincing my husband that I NEED a nice tri bike.

2006-09-13 7:20 AM
in reply to: #538563

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Subject: RE: Talk to me about your aerobars
I agree with the LBS suggestions...I bought my road bike with aero bars and part of his set up included seat selection - It's a bit longer that average so I can sit further forward.  There may be other tricks they can do as well that wll help the fit.  On a prior bike I just put the aero bars on myself and was in your situation - never did get them adjusted quite right...
2006-09-13 7:51 AM
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2006-09-13 8:44 AM
in reply to: #538009

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Subject: RE: Talk to me about your aerobars
If your seat doesn't go far enough ahead w/ the post you have now, you may need to get another forward angle post...I think profile makes one.

Oh yeah, I bought my aerobars from my LBS that fitted me for the bike, so he fitted me for those, too.


2006-09-13 9:51 AM
in reply to: #538510

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Subject: RE: Talk to me about your aerobars

westfried - 2006-09-12 5:38 PM Here's my take from a prior thread: http://www.beginnertriathlete.com/discussion/forums/thread-view.asp... Generally, adding aerobars to a well-fit road bike is tough. (And the better the road fit, the harder it is).

I'm finding this to be the case as well.  My road bike is a little small for me, but from speaking with a fitter at the LTS (did I use that acronym correctly?) it seems like that will work to my advantage.  I plan on having him do a fitting for me in the next week or so, so that during the offseason I'm at least riding in the correct position.

2006-09-13 10:23 AM
in reply to: #539089

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Subject: RE: Talk to me about your aerobars
Be careful if you go this route, though... using a seatpost that pushes your saddle forward can move your weight too far forward relative to the wheels on a road bike. This can make the handling very twitchy.

Not saying don't do it, just be careful.

Or, you can use this as yet one more excuse to get a new bike...


2006-09-13 10:43 AM
in reply to: #538009

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Subject: RE: Talk to me about your aerobars

I gave in and called my bike fitter.  My LBS, while awesome, doesn't have anyone who can do a fit even in the same realm as this guy.  He even puts shims in my cleats and looks how my power output changes with each adjustment.  It's an incredibly detailed process, so I was trying to avoid doing it again, but oh well...it's worth it.

I'm going on Saturday to have my fit tweaked, so I will report back with specifics in case it helps anyone else.

2006-09-13 12:22 PM
in reply to: #538009

Regular
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Seattle
Subject: RE: Talk to me about your aerobars
That's probably the best bet.

One thing to consider - get a detailed listing (measurements, etc.) of the current "road" position, as well as the new "tri" position. THat way, you can swap back and forth as needed.

If you will be swapping often, consider buying a second seatpost and saddle - that way you can just swap them as a unit, without having to adjust location.

Good luck!
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