Damon Rinard, Cervelo Engineer says:
December 22, 2011
Hi Johannes, We've tested a lot of different shapes for aero bar extensions, but never in a head-to-head comparison. In gerneral though, most riders have the lowest drag and most comfort when the forearm is level and the top of the thumb is also in line. Usually this means ski-tip or J-bend extensions. One tip we like is to place the shift lever in the hand, with the pivot axis aligned roughly with the second knuckle. This often means cutting the extension to bring the shifter into the hand. This takes the lever out of the wind and means you canshift without moving the arm. Cheers, -Damon Rinard, Cervelo Engineer.

Whatcha think?

Had a guy that came into the shop last weekend, looking at a couple used bikes (on trainers). His friend was telling him all kinds of things good about them... He said he felt tight and was having trouble looking "up the road". I said "Try this -- move your hands so that your thumbs are pointing up" (like they would be with ski-bend bars). He did, and immediately he could lift his head no problem...

I guess I was really looking for someone to say, "j bars aren't lame, pro triathlete So-and-So uses them"

I guess I was really looking for someone to say, "j bars aren't lame, pro triathlete So-and-So uses them"

Is it a consensus?

Are you trying to beat noobs?

That is almost entirely the reason I train - not to try to win but just to talk smack to the 40 year old women who entered the event because it looked fun.

I live to eat their souls.

Here's my take... it depends on how much you might shift your position around slightly due to variations in terrain, wind, fatigue, etc vs being locked in to just one mode. The "money" position on a pair of ski/J bends is ideal, BUT whenever I wanted to "choke up" or stretch out they pretty much sucked.

Switched to S-bends (cheap Profile T2s) and I like 'em waaay better. I think if I were dialed in to one 'perfect' position and one position only for however long my events are, then the ski bends would be optimized, but I find myself varying the grip quite a bit when I shift my weight back a little on a gradual incline or scooch forward and extra-low when turning into the wind for a short stretch, and the S-bends offer a better range of alternatives. For me, the versatility advantage is no contest.

But let's be honest... nothing looks as sexy as a straight/s-bend aero bar.

endorphin wrote:

I agree.... but is that the sexiest example you could dig up? How about this:

Although I'm not sure how anyone could actually use this...

If forearms are level on S-Bend and hands are essentially covering up the shifters and this is a comfortable position I'm not sure how S-Bends are a disadvantage.

Is there a reason why thumbs (orientated the way Damon explained) test faster?