 Topic Name: aerobars
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on: March 31, 2011, 10:34:42 AM
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annoying crack
Location: brussels
Posts: 127
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« on: March 31, 2011, 10:34:42 AM » |
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Does anyone want to discuss aerobars for the Tour divide?
Personally, I have no experience with them at all and I'm tempted to go without. Should I?
What are the pros - cons?
What model/make or what to look out for?
What problems will/can I run into?
Are they only being used on the paved sections or also on the gravel bits?
Lots of questions. Anyone can help me with some insight? I'm sure other rookies are wondering too.
Thanks.
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #1 on: March 31, 2011, 12:59:40 PM
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trebor
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 375
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« Reply #1 on: March 31, 2011, 12:59:40 PM » |
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I added them for my trips just this past year and love them.
Positives:
more positions for the body (rest)
less air resistance
more 'cockpit' space for cyclometers, gps, etc
Negatives:
weight
may not be comfy with your current bike fit
you get funny looks from people.......
may be a problem (depending on setup) if you like to flip your bike upside down as a part of your sleep setup - ala tarp over the wheels.
I used Siren's Fred Bars to attach the aero bars. This raises you up and back and I found it so much better than clipping directly to the handlebars. To use Fred Bars you have to have some steer tube above the stem.
I use them on gravel and even climb in them on shallow grades. Caution on use during twisty road/gravel descents since your hands are far away from the brakes!!
I used the cheapest set I could find. Not the lightest but carbon was to expensive for my budget.
Once dialed in I was able to spend hours in the aero position comfortably.
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« Last Edit: March 31, 2011, 01:07:59 PM by trebor »
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Rob Roberts
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #2 on: March 31, 2011, 01:01:18 PM
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wookieone
Location: Gunnison, Colorado
Posts: 310
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« Reply #2 on: March 31, 2011, 01:01:18 PM » |
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I am new to those funky ass things too. I have some profile t-2's. So far they are great, mainly for the amount of adjustability, you can put the arm pads back behind the handlebar, you can adjust the angles of everything. I will say if you haven't used them start soon, they are twitchy as can be till you get used to them.
I believe that it is as much having another position as aerodynamics.
Issues are getting them high and comfy, getting them on your handlebars, clamp size, clamp area, etc, most mountain handlebars are not designed at all for the use of clip ons.
I have gotten them to be pretty comfy and aero, nice to take the weight off your hands!
That's all I got, veteran's?? Jefe
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #3 on: March 31, 2011, 01:06:33 PM
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trebor
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 375
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« Reply #3 on: March 31, 2011, 01:06:33 PM » |
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one more thing i use them for is a clothes line.... i put my shorts over them and slide my gloves over the ends to air dry as I ride.
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Rob Roberts
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #4 on: March 31, 2011, 02:20:10 PM
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6thElement
Posts: 234
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« Reply #4 on: March 31, 2011, 02:20:10 PM » |
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one more thing i use them for is a clothes line.... i put my shorts over them and slide my gloves over the ends to air dry as I ride.
Yep, useful in all sorts of ways not just pure riding  |
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #5 on: March 31, 2011, 08:19:17 PM
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Marshal
Location: Colorado
Posts: 951
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« Reply #5 on: March 31, 2011, 08:19:17 PM » |
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Ditto on trebor’s and wookieone’s coments.
I used a set up like wookienone describes—worked well for me—but the main thing is experiment till it works for-you
I spent massive amounts of time on them—I question if I would have been able to ride as strong over the last 5 or so days without them
Get’em on NOW and get them dialed in—this is a big issue as if you do not work out the fit issues they can cause a TDR ending stress injury
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #6 on: April 04, 2011, 02:34:44 AM
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annoying crack
Location: brussels
Posts: 127
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« Reply #6 on: April 04, 2011, 02:34:44 AM » |
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So, after reading the replies to my post here, I went on and bought a cheap set of aerobars to go on my TD bike. I didn't waste any time (thanks for that advice) and installed them, loaded up the bike and went on a 240km/3000hm sub 24 hour ride. Some observations:
- Riding in the aerobars usually meant that I would ride 1 cog down as to what I would normally ride in that same situation without them. That means that I would go faster (+) but also wear my legs out more (-). I don't know what would outweight what over such a long distance.
- When riding in the aerobars, my arms would tire rather fast (-) and that would usually be the reason why I would switch back to the upright position. Find better position and work on those arms?
- They would indeed make for a great drying rack (+).
- More weight added to the bike (-).
Some pictures, please feel free to comment on my setup.
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #7 on: April 04, 2011, 05:57:29 AM
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Marshal
Location: Colorado
Posts: 951
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« Reply #7 on: April 04, 2011, 05:57:29 AM » |
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- When riding in the aerobars, my arms would tire rather fast (-) and that would usually be the reason why I would switch back to the upright position. Find better position and work on those arms?
Some pictures, please feel free to comment on my setup.
from the picture imo you have them way too far forward and also to low--ie for the TDR they should be a 'rest' position 1st and provide aero position 2nd when set up right they become the go-to position as the day wears on and the body gets tired |
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #8 on: April 04, 2011, 06:05:19 AM
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trebor
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 375
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« Reply #8 on: April 04, 2011, 06:05:19 AM » |
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my first use also tired my upper body a bit. I don't know if I was tense or if the fit was poor - but in any case, after getting set just right, they are very comfy. I think taking a look at Fred Bars may help a little - at least they did for me. http://sirenbicycles.wordpress.com/2008/05/12/making-stuff-introducing-the-fred-bar/that blog post is a bit dated, but Brendan still makes and sells them. |
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Rob Roberts
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #9 on: April 04, 2011, 08:25:40 AM
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annoying crack
Location: brussels
Posts: 127
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« Reply #9 on: April 04, 2011, 08:25:40 AM » |
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from the picture imo you have them way too far forward and also to low--ie for the TDR they should be a 'rest' position 1st and provide aero position 2nd
when set up right they become the go-to position as the day wears on and the body gets tired
I'll try adjusting them over the next few days and see how they feel better. Thank you for the input! It's appreciated! |
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #10 on: April 04, 2011, 05:12:53 PM
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tlideen
Posts: 49
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« Reply #10 on: April 04, 2011, 05:12:53 PM » |
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i am getting ready to purchase some. what model is most popular and seen most an riders divide rigs?
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #11 on: April 04, 2011, 06:15:56 PM
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Marshal
Location: Colorado
Posts: 951
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« Reply #11 on: April 04, 2011, 06:15:56 PM » |
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just to give an idea how 'high' and 'back' I set my aerobars --I know it looks funny but it fit the need
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #12 on: April 04, 2011, 06:43:22 PM
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THE LONG RANGER
Hi-Ho, Single-Speed, AWAY!
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 932
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« Reply #12 on: April 04, 2011, 06:43:22 PM » |
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that blog post is a bit dated, but Brendan still makes and sells them.
Has anyone been able to get in touch with them? I emailed a few days ago, and haven't gotten a reply. Hopefully, they're out riding! |
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #13 on: April 05, 2011, 06:09:29 AM
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MidSouth
Posts: 56
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« Reply #13 on: April 05, 2011, 06:09:29 AM » |
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I was able to get in touch with Brendan last week. He said he is out of the Fred Bars and not sure that he was going to make another batch. If enough of the new TD riders were to email him, maybe he could be persuaded?
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #14 on: April 05, 2011, 08:06:11 AM
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trebor
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 375
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« Reply #14 on: April 05, 2011, 08:06:11 AM » |
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...... he is out of the Fred Bars and not sure that he was going to make another batch...... oh no!! |
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Rob Roberts
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #15 on: April 05, 2011, 12:13:40 PM
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elobeck
Posts: 229
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« Reply #15 on: April 05, 2011, 12:13:40 PM » |
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If other sources aren't available, the following two options:
1_Riser stem attached to elongated steerer tube+6ish inch long section of handlebar.(works, but not the lightest setup)
2_Brad at Moots makes some out of Titanium. He made me a prototype last year, but wants (wait for it...) $400.- a pop.(ouch.)
or 3_Pester Siren.
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #16 on: April 05, 2011, 01:21:29 PM
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MidSouth
Posts: 56
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« Reply #16 on: April 05, 2011, 01:21:29 PM » |
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Would a short stem above the normal stem work? Maybe even turned around backwards to bring the auxiliary bar further back.
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #17 on: April 05, 2011, 08:41:11 PM
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JML
Posts: 22
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« Reply #17 on: April 05, 2011, 08:41:11 PM » |
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Yes a short stem above the regular would work. Only negative about short stems-most seem to be downhill oriented and as such are quite heavy. I have run this setup before I went to a "fancier" setup.
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #18 on: April 05, 2011, 09:01:23 PM
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elobeck
Posts: 229
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« Reply #18 on: April 05, 2011, 09:01:23 PM » |
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Here is pics of the current aero bar getup. Position also back and up like Marshall.
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Topic Name: aerobars
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Reply #19 on: April 06, 2011, 05:27:47 AM
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trebor
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 375
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« Reply #19 on: April 06, 2011, 05:27:47 AM » |
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here is the set up with Freds (sorry for crappy cell phone pictures):
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Rob Roberts
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