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Aero bars and ride stability !
garyroberts
Posts: 869
in General Chat
Hello everyone
I'm still very new to road bike and have only been out a few times, but it strikes me that getting down on the aero bars is a bit unstable! I only get to use them when hitting higher speeds and therefore the instability is even more of an issue! Is there any advice you can offer me with regards to this? Or is it just me being a pansy!
I'm still very new to road bike and have only been out a few times, but it strikes me that getting down on the aero bars is a bit unstable! I only get to use them when hitting higher speeds and therefore the instability is even more of an issue! Is there any advice you can offer me with regards to this? Or is it just me being a pansy!
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Just joking Gary, You do get used to them, I've not used them a masive mount but they totlly natural to me, Ifeel weird out of them.
God luck
mmmmm.......thanks for the invaluable advice.
They score highly on review sites and stuff....
When I first used aero-bars I got into the habit of having a quick check over my shoulder before dropping onto them, just to make sure there wasn't a car directly behind me.... just in case I wobbled and fell off. In time you'll find that you are very comfortable on them.
My new bike is still in road trim until spring time, so the biggest problem I've had is forgetting what I was doing and dropping down onto a set of non-existent aero-bars on a Sunday morning run with my mates. Didn't fall off, but the ensuing wobbles caused a surprising amount of potty-mouth shouting from behind me. [:D]
I'm comfier on the aeros than the drops.
Might be worth investing in some good quality gym time too focussing on your core strength and stability. A steady platform and control in this section of your body makes a big difference to your own stability and ability to push through at speed.
When I first starting using aero-bars, I just introduced them gradually over time. First ride, spend 1 min in aero-position, 4 mins out for the session. Then as confidence and ability increased changed the length of time in aero and decreased time out. You'll soon be completing good stints in full aero-position! Just remember to shave the legs.............. [image]http://forum.220magazine.com/micons/m9.gif[/image]
I hope your volume of training is heavy as your postings on this forum. if so you'll be fine, also stop being a pansy and just get down on the aero bars, only time will make you more confident.
I can't agree more with what's said here. Clip-on aero bars will make a difference - it's been quantified before - see www.bikeradar.com/news/article/how-aero-is-aero-19273 as to how much difference each little bit makes. Clip-on bars are probably the most cost effective way of improving your bike split & you will get used to them in time. However, you definitely need to get your bike set-up checked as the position of your body has a huge effect on aerodynamics. I was sceptical of all of this but eventually got some Profile clip-ons & was instantly about 3 mins quicker over 25km. I've since taken another 3 mins off by investing in a TT bike & am about to use an aero lid for the 1st time if I can overcome the embarrassment factor. Will keep you posted!
Good luck!
I found the exact problem when i first used mine, funnily enough on the same bike. I found by adjusting the elbow pads slightly wider made me ten times more stable and confident when using them, although have to say hitting a bump whilst coming off them is always fun!
Did you notice a big improvement in power? maybe im not using them correctly but i find i can keep pushing longer in the flats but the second a larger output is needed i have to come up!
I cant see why you cant fit them to a hybrid, it will depend on which type you get.
I have a racer but O bought the bars that are shaped to meet in the middle and they are great you can chan your hand postion when you need to.[image]http://triuk.com/images/stories/century_06.jpg[/image]
1. If you are going to add bars to a hybrid, make sure you get bars that are compatible, i.e. the width of the clamp is the same size as the handlebars
2. As a first investment for a hybrid, get some slicks (thin tyres), they will provide you with a much greater speed improvement than clip ons will if youre running fat tyres
Yes I did notice a difference in power - hard to explain but i just found it a more efficient cycling position - as soon as i stretched out it felt as if i was getting more out of my legs
I think maybe i need a proper bike fitting. I just found i could hold it for longer.
Yes, expensive month, I know! Shoes, base-layers....DH is looking worried.
This is my first foray into aero bars and plan to put them on and try them out this weekend. I've read through this thread for advice - but just want to be prepared for exactly how wobbly I'll be? Guess I'll find out, but would be nice to hear from any of you who have done your first ever rides using aero bars recently.
Out of sheer curiosity I plan to time myself. I have a long, straight, quiet stretch of road that I use for speed, so thought I'd do a run along there on the drops, and then again on the aero bars - see what time difference I get.
Yep. There is such a thing as the female nerd.
blurredgirl
one thing i would suggest is keeping an eye on the road surface for any nice pot holes waiting to throw you off balance
would be interested to know the timing differential so do post once you have experimented
Well, I put the bars on at the weekend, and used the turbo to get them as near right as I could get. My DH wanted to come out too, so I decided not to do the experiment this time (would have been very boring for him) and he was just wanting to test his new cleats. So we just did a gentle 24km, with a few good quiet stretches to try out the new toys.
But blimey! What a difference! Have to say I was quite blown away by how great they were. Firstly, very comfortable, more so than going down onto the drops. Then the added power - wow! I estimted that I was getting an extra 5kmph and left poor old DH standing.
Really pleased with my investment, and the bars themselves are really nice. Pretty much everything is adjustable, so I can really get the best out of them.
Anyone still dithering - go for it. Can't wait to try my experiment and find out how much time I can win.
blurredgirl
I have a shimano flightdeck which seems to only fit onto the bars in a certain place which would appear to be where the bars would sit?
I want the bars back but really need the computer as i cant afford a power meter....yet...
Otherwise - not sure. It's a good point...
blurredgirl
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