new to aero bars. Any tips? - Triathlon Week

03-28-2005, 09:47 PM

Greetings,
I recently bought some aerobars (Easton AeroForce clip-ons) for my road bike in preparation for the summer triathlons where I live. I haven't used these before, and am a bit apprehensive about my first few rides with them. Using them in groups, steep downhills, and blind curves (especially those that I haven't ridden before) all seem like bad ideas, at least at first. What else have people learned about using them? For starters, how does the narrowness of your arms in the bars (relative to riding on the hoods or drops) change how you steer?

Thanks,
Chris

03-29-2005, 06:16 AM

Chris Esposito wrote:
> Greetings,
> I recently bought some aerobars (Easton AeroForce clip-ons) for my
> road bike in preparation for the summer triathlons where I live. I
> haven't used these before, and am a bit apprehensive about my first few
> rides with them. Using them in groups, steep downhills, and blind curves
> (especially those that I haven't ridden before) all seem like bad ideas,
> at least at first. What else have people learned about using them? For
> starters, how does the narrowness of your arms in the bars (relative to
> riding on the hoods or drops) change how you steer?
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>

Hi Chris,

You're right; using aero bars in groups is a bad idea. I don't use my
aero bars in group rides unless I'm at the front of the pace line. I
also ride on the drops when I get out of the saddle and on some sharp
curves.

You definitely don't have as much control when down on your aero bars,
so take it easy at first. After you get used to them, you'll be more
comfortable negotiating obstacles down on the aero bars.

I don't position my aero bars too close to each other. I find that if I
do (with my elbows very close together) I'm uncomfortable. So I
sacrifice some of the aero advantage for comfort.

Bob

03-29-2005, 07:34 AM

In article <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]>,
"Chris Esposito" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

> I recently bought some aerobars (Easton AeroForce clip-ons) for my road bike
> in preparation for the summer triathlons where I live. I haven't used these
> before, and am a bit apprehensive about my first few rides with them. Using
> them in groups, steep downhills, and blind curves (especially those that I
> haven't ridden before) all seem like bad ideas, at least at first.

All BAD ideas unless you are a seasoned pro. DO NOT draft while using
aerobars unless you like to crash (I'm assuming you are not an ITU pro.)

> What else
> have people learned about using them? For starters, how does the narrowness
> of your arms in the bars (relative to riding on the hoods or drops) change
> how you steer?

Pracitice with them a long time in relatively safe areas (parks,
deserted roads with wide shoulders, empty parking lots, etc.) before you
take to busy streets or races with them.

There are some experienced cyclists who take to them right away, but
they're starting with much better bike-handling skills than you or I.

--Harold Buck

"I used to rock and roll all night,
and party every day.
Then it was every other day. . . ."
-Homer J. Simpson

03-29-2005, 10:59 AM

Chris Esposito wrote:
> Greetings,
> I recently bought some aerobars (Easton AeroForce clip-ons) for
my road bike in preparation for the summer triathlons where I live. I
haven't used these before, and am a bit apprehensive about my first few
rides with them. Using them in groups, steep downhills, and blind
curves (especially those that I haven't ridden before) all seem like
bad ideas, at least at first. What else have people learned about using
them? For starters, how does the narrowness of your arms in the bars
(relative to riding on the hoods or drops) change how you steer?
>
> Thanks,
> Chris

* The fit that feels comfortable at the five mile mark may really stink
at the fifty mile mark. Until you settle into a good fit, carry your
hex wrench.

* I am top-heavy (broad), so narrow is not good for me. If you are
also broad, take a look at wider handle bars. It depends on your size,
but additional room for hand positions will be useful one day
(climbing, fatiguing, etc.).

* Don't expect your first fit to be your final adjustment, but make
incremental changes very conservatively.

* If you are hoisting/slinging yourself up, you may be too low on the
bars.

my $.02

rsquared

03-29-2005, 08:47 PM

\"rsquared" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1112119192.386744.81130@l41g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
>
> Chris Esposito wrote:
>> Greetings,
>> I recently bought some aerobars (Easton AeroForce clip-ons) for
> my road bike in preparation for the summer triathlons where I live. I
> haven't used these before, and am a bit apprehensive about my first few
> rides with them. Using them in groups, steep downhills, and blind
> curves (especially those that I haven't ridden before) all seem like
> bad ideas, at least at first. What else have people learned about using
> them? For starters, how does the narrowness of your arms in the bars
> (relative to riding on the hoods or drops) change how you steer?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Chris
>
> * The fit that feels comfortable at the five mile mark may really stink
> at the fifty mile mark. Until you settle into a good fit, carry your
> hex wrench.
>
> * I am top-heavy (broad), so narrow is not good for me. If you are
> also broad, take a look at wider handle bars. It depends on your size,
> but additional room for hand positions will be useful one day
> (climbing, fatiguing, etc.).
>
> * Don't expect your first fit to be your final adjustment, but make
> incremental changes very conservatively.
>
> * If you are hoisting/slinging yourself up, you may be too low on the
> bars.
>
> my $.02
>
> rsquared
>
Thanks for all the suggestions to all who replied.

Chris

03-30-2005, 05:45 PM

Hello,
You'll also want to ease into them for your body's sake. They made my
back hurt when I first started using them. I had to gradually build time to
let my back get used to them.
Also, be careful about quick movements. Using aerobars is like driving a
front wheel drive car for the first time, a little movement will go along
way.

Larry

"Chris Esposito" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]...
Greetings,
I recently bought some aerobars (Easton AeroForce clip-ons) for my road
bike in preparation for the summer triathlons where I live. I haven't used
these before, and am a bit apprehensive about my first few rides with them.
Using them in groups, steep downhills, and blind curves (especially those
that I haven't ridden before) all seem like bad ideas, at least at first.
What else have people learned about using them? For starters, how does the
narrowness of your arms in the bars (relative to riding on the hoods or
drops) change how you steer?

Thanks,
Chris