Tips to start using aerobars - Triathlon Week

08-21-2006, 10:05 AM

I have just installed Profile Jammer GT Clip-on Aerobars on my road
bike.

First time I tried them I freaked out! Almost wiped out!

Now, I'm getting used to them, but... still don't feel comfortable. Can
you provide tips that will help learn how to master the aerobars,
control the bike better, specially when I pick up speed downhill?

Your comments will be appreciated!

Guillermo

08-21-2006, 11:02 PM

"Guille" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1156147421.297179.231790@i3g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
>I have just installed Profile Jammer GT Clip-on Aerobars on my road
> bike.
>
> First time I tried them I freaked out! Almost wiped out!
>
> Now, I'm getting used to them, but... still don't feel comfortable. Can
> you provide tips that will help learn how to master the aerobars,
> control the bike better, specially when I pick up speed downhill?
>
> Your comments will be appreciated!
>
> Guillermo
>

I've used various aero-bars over the years, mostly Profile, but also
Cinelli.

A few things to try:

Firstly, put the elbow pads fairly wide apart. This makes it easier to
control. Move them in a bit as you get more confident. Eventually, aim to
have them so your elbows are in front of your thighs/knees when using them.
This may take some time!

Extensions pointing slightly up is often easier to control and more
comfortable.

Try holding the extensions nearer the bar to start off with. I know the
Jammers are a bit 'wiggly' so this might not be that easy. If I'm right,
you can bring the extensions in a bit to have the same effect.

Remember to lean when you turn. Your weight is now much further over the
fron wheel which is what makes things more twitchy. leaning makes the bike
want to go that way.

also take turns wider than you might otherwise. If you can't see far round
a corner, get back on the normal bars! Tri bars are only really safe for a
straight line.

That's not everything, but I hope that helps you get going. Like most new
things, it takes time.

Skippy
E&OE

08-21-2006, 11:02 PM

"Skippy" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:44e9ebec$0$3578$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].net...
>
> "Guille" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:1156147421.297179.231790@i3g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
>>I have just installed Profile Jammer GT Clip-on Aerobars on my road
>> bike.
>>
>> First time I tried them I freaked out! Almost wiped out!
>>
>> Now, I'm getting used to them, but... still don't feel comfortable. Can
>> you provide tips that will help learn how to master the aerobars,
>> control the bike better, specially when I pick up speed downhill?
>>
>> Your comments will be appreciated!
>>
>> Guillermo
>>

Forgot to ask age, height etc. Handy to know from a set-up point of view.
Also what sort of distances do you ride?

Skippy
E&OE

sfricks · 08-22-2006, 06:30 AM

Guillermo,
A few more things to consider:
1) Don't corner on aerobars. You can't control your bike should you find a need to manuever and you can't accellerate out of the corner on them.
2) Get your level out. Start with the bars pointed slightly down in the front. 2 to 3 degrees is fine. As you gain comfort, move them level. When you're confident, move them up 2-3 degrees.
HTH

08-22-2006, 09:01 AM

Skippy wrote:
> "Skippy" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> news:44e9ebec$0$3578$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].net...
> >
> > "Guille" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
> > news:1156147421.297179.231790@i3g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
> >>I have just installed Profile Jammer GT Clip-on Aerobars on my road
> >> bike.
> >>
> >> First time I tried them I freaked out! Almost wiped out!
> >>
> >> Now, I'm getting used to them, but... still don't feel comfortable. Can
> >> you provide tips that will help learn how to master the aerobars,
> >> control the bike better, specially when I pick up speed downhill?
> >>
> >> Your comments will be appreciated!
> >>
> >> Guillermo
> >>
>
> Forgot to ask age, height etc. Handy to know from a set-up point of view.
> Also what sort of distances do you ride?
>
> Skippy
> E&OE

44 y
5' 7" (1.67 m)
30-40 miles, trying to increase to 50-60 miles

I thing I think helps is trying to keep the center of gravity or weight
on the rear or back. If a put pressure or weight on the aerobars (hands
or elbows), the ride becomes "wiggly".

Thank you for the tips. They will help!

08-22-2006, 09:01 AM

In article <1156147421.297179.231790@i3g2000cwc.googlegroups. com>,
"Guille" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote:

>
> Now, I'm getting used to them, but... still don't feel comfortable. Can
> you provide tips that will help learn how to master the aerobars,
> control the bike better, specially when I pick up speed downhill?
>

Um, don't use your aerobars on downhills until you're really, really
good. Even then, don't do steep hills on aerobars since you won't have
access to your brakes.

Practice in an area where you don't have to worry about traffic, like a
parking lot (empty) or a trail or park.

--Harold Buck

"Hubris always wins in the end. The Greeks taught us that."

-Homer J. Simpson

08-22-2006, 07:02 PM

"Guille" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1156243484.239863.12000@h48g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
>
> Skippy wrote:
>> "Skippy" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
>> news:44e9ebec$0$3578$[Only registered and activated users can see links. ].net...
>> >
>> > "Guille" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
>> > news:1156147421.297179.231790@i3g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
>> >>I have just installed Profile Jammer GT Clip-on Aerobars on my road
>> >> bike.
>> >>
>> >> First time I tried them I freaked out! Almost wiped out!
>> >>
>> >> Now, I'm getting used to them, but... still don't feel comfortable.
>> >> Can
>> >> you provide tips that will help learn how to master the aerobars,
>> >> control the bike better, specially when I pick up speed downhill?
>> >>
>> >> Your comments will be appreciated!
>> >>
>> >> Guillermo
>> >>
>>
>> Forgot to ask age, height etc. Handy to know from a set-up point of
>> view.
>> Also what sort of distances do you ride?
>>
>> Skippy
>> E&OE
>
> 44 y
> 5' 7" (1.67 m)
> 30-40 miles, trying to increase to 50-60 miles
>
> I thing I think helps is trying to keep the center of gravity or weight
> on the rear or back. If a put pressure or weight on the aerobars (hands
> or elbows), the ride becomes "wiggly".
>
> Thank you for the tips. They will help!
>

As you're not terribly tall, you may find you've got the extensions set a
bit far forward. Bring them back a bit and tilt them up. This will help
with the stability. If you're going to be able to use them properly, you
need to get used to supporting yourself on the pads.

Just a thought: You're possibly going to feel a bit stretched out if you
don't nudge your saddle forward a bit. Only a bit, mind.

If you got the bars from a local shop, pop back and ask their advice. Take
biscuits, it works wonders!

Skippy
E&OE

08-22-2006, 11:34 PM

Harold Buck wrote:

>
> Um, don't use your aerobars on downhills until you're really, really
> good. Even then, don't do steep hills on aerobars since you won't have
> access to your brakes.
>
> Practice in an area where you don't have to worry about traffic, like a
> parking lot (empty) or a trail or park.
>
> --Harold Buck
>
>
> "Hubris always wins in the end. The Greeks taught us that."
>
> -Homer J. Simpson

Good advice too. I'm going to do the Tall Texan Tri, in the Hill
Country, in 2 weeks. To be honest with you, I was worrying about the
downhills and the speed... Even though I do very well in the tri's
(first 15%), cycling is not my strength... 35+ mph and I get pretty
nervous, even without the jammers... (i've done tri's in the hill
country before)

I guess I need some more miles on my bike! Thanks!!

08-23-2006, 09:25 PM

"Guille" <[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1156307701.078184.175040@i3g2000cwc.googlegro ups.com...
>
> Harold Buck wrote:
>
>>
>> Um, don't use your aerobars on downhills until you're really, really
>> good. Even then, don't do steep hills on aerobars since you won't have
>> access to your brakes.
>>
>> Practice in an area where you don't have to worry about traffic, like a
>> parking lot (empty) or a trail or park.
>>
>> --Harold Buck
>>
>>
>> "Hubris always wins in the end. The Greeks taught us that."
>>
>> -Homer J. Simpson
>
> Good advice too. I'm going to do the Tall Texan Tri, in the Hill
> Country, in 2 weeks. To be honest with you, I was worrying about the
> downhills and the speed... Even though I do very well in the tri's
> (first 15%), cycling is not my strength... 35+ mph and I get pretty
> nervous, even without the jammers... (i've done tri's in the hill
> country before)
>
> I guess I need some more miles on my bike! Thanks!!
>

I'd only consider going downhill on tribars on roads i know REALLY well.
Even then, above about 40MPH, or if it's at all bendy, I go on the main
bars. It's just not worth it. If you're not happy(especially at speed),
you're not loosing much by not using the tri-bars.

2 weeks may not be enough time to get good with the tri-bars. If there's a
long bike leg and you were comfortable, they do offer a change from the
drops / hoods and take some weight off your hands. If it's going to cause
more trouble than benefit, leave them until another event. Look at it as a
1lb weight saving!

Skippy
E&OE