[LordOpie]

I've been grabbing the hoods and leaning on the tops with my forearms lately for a change and it seems like I'm more comfortable, so i thought I should explore aerobars.

any experience or insight?

 

[The Toninator]

i dont think areo bars were made for comfort.

 

[bigevilgrape]

I have no personal experince, but I have heard of people touring with areo bars to switch up the arm possitions a bit.

 

[Damn True]

The only problem with that is that it takes your hands to a position a loooong way from your brakes, takes your CG really far forward which has a negative effect on stability and pedal efficiency and puts your weight on your perinium rather than sit bones.

 

[Serial Midget]

The answer is yes. Aero bars set up as they were intended are not comfortable and take some getting used too. They are designed to pull you back down while constricting your shoulders so as to lesson your aerodynamic profile.

If you set the clip-ons wide enough so that they do not constrict your shoulder and your handlebars are at touring height - you can ride all day in wannabe triathlete style and comfort.

I do use them for long solo rides but I strongly advise against even having them on your bike during organized club rides and events.

Braking is a non issue - if you are riding in conditions where you'll be needing your brakes then you have no business using your aero bars.

 

[LordOpie]

What about riding up 5+% grades for long distances?

 

[Serial Midget]

What about riding up 5+% grades for long distances?

What about it? You adapt to the conditions at hand.

 

[jaydee]

Mmmmmm.

 

[LordOpie]

What about it? You adapt to the conditions at hand.

I mean, are aerobars functional when climbing for comfort purposes. As you know, there are long stretches (10+miles) here of consistent grade.

 

[Motionboy2]

I don't know about aerobars for climbing, I tend to pull on my bars a bit when climbing. There are definitely sections that you can use aerobars for but you have to keep in mind that often the pads get in the way of the top part of your bar. So you eliminate a little useful space on your drop bar.
If you are getting aerobars I would look at something like the Visiontec Mini Clip on's. They are small and not too stretched out.

 

[chicodude]

I mean, are aerobars functional when climbing for comfort purposes. As you know, there are long stretches (10+miles) here of consistent grade.

I would say no, When you climb, don't you want your arms as open as possible to allow yourself to breathe easier?

 

[LordOpie]

I should clarify that I don't climb, I just ride up mountains. The only time I get out of my saddle and really climb is around steep switchbacks.

I couldn't find anything on google about Visiontec Mini Clip?

I guess what I'm really looking for is pads to expand the surface area for my forearm at the ends of the bars and I can continue holding the top of the hoods.

 

[Wumpus]

I couldn't find anything on google about Visiontec Mini Clip?

Bottom of the page --> http://www.triathletemag.com/story.cfm?story_id=9484&pageID=1727

They also make some clip on's that are like long bar ends.

 

[Pau11y]

I should clarify that I don't climb, I just ride up mountains. The only time I get out of my saddle and really climb is around steep switchbacks.

I couldn't find anything on google about Visiontec Mini Clip?

I guess what I'm really looking for is pads to expand the surface area for my forearm at the ends of the bars and I can continue holding the top of the hoods.

hehehe.. wear some DH elbow pads. You can also try pipe insulation. Just wrap your flats w/ some of that stuff. $5.00 will get you WAY more than you'll EVER need

Edit: Seriously tho, what about some BMX padding?

 

[Serial Midget]

I mean, are aerobars functional when climbing for comfort purposes. As you know, there are long stretches (10+miles) here of consistent grade.

The answer is still yes - if you can normally climb it without getting out of the saddle then you can climb it with aero bars as well. Aero bars take a little getting used to but with them spaced wide enough I am sure you will find them comfortable and, since you are still gripping the forward end of the aero bars, you will find that they are easy enough to control.

I use Syntace C2s which are light weight and come on and off pretty easily, you can see them on my trusty Univega Superpoo.

 

[LordOpie]

Thanks guys!

The first thing I need to do is actually go look at some aerobars in person. The catalog looks like some of them might be able to be taken apart. If I can do what I'm thinking, i'll post photos.

 

[LordOpie]

 

[Serial Midget]

If I can do what I'm thinking, i'll post photos.

You can't... the wrist angle that would involve can't be good. Try someone's aero bars to see if you like them before you go effing around with your cash.

 

[Wumpus]

What about this?

These used to be legal for road races, but I think they changed their minds.

 

[LordOpie]

What about this?

Thanks!

That looks pretty good. Is it a hard foam that won't bend and will support? I'm gonna go googling to see if I can find it in a practical application.

 

[Wumpus]

Is it a hard foam that won't bend and will support?

I don't know. Just saw them when I surfing around.

 

[LordOpie]

I don't know. Just saw them when I surfing around.

Unacceptable!

 

[cliffster5]

Hey Op, not sure you wanna be using the bars when climbing. Best position is hands on top of the bars to open chest and allow the pelvis to shift back onto saddle to enable the legs to reach out and grab and pull back on the pedals. I took my profile airstrykes off my road bike when I read articles a couple of years ago about cycling and impotence. You wanna get more comfortable on long climbs? Ride more amigo! (and do some ab work or core muscle work).

 

[LordOpie]

...I read articles a couple of years ago about cycling and impotence.

not a problem. I'm hard right now.

Tanks for the insights!

 

[cliffster5]

not a problem. I'm hard right now.

Sheeesh, why don't you and yer hand get a room
:love: