The graph below requires a little bit of explanation - in order to fit data for rider on and no rider I've normalised the Aduro curves to 100%, so the Aeria Ultimate (AU) performance is shown relative to that.
As expected - the Aduro is amazing with no rider thanks to the minimal frontal profile. But the AU went ahead with a rider on. We took the AU off and repeated the Aduro test to verify the numbers as the magnitude of the relative performance change was so significant.


The AU offers better pad-basebar separation thanks to the dropped wing. And the wide pedestal base (and wider extension clamps) means there is better airflow over the centre of the bar.
The Enve tested out basically the same as AU with rider on (slightly slower at low yaw and slightly better at high yaw).

One bike brand has tested the HSF Aeria bottle and had a massive performance advantage. If that increment is consistent across frames the bottle will be a must have. I'm trying to get testing sorted to evaluate a variety of frames. The impact on frames with narrow headtubes will have to be assessed before any claims can be made for universal benefit.

There is also a satellite magnet mount for the hose, that allows you to orient the straw close to the hands so you're not reaching back to grab it. With the aim of minimising the movement required to hydrate.

One thing to note with the Aeria 2 is that it's a platform that will continue to be built on. Firstly there are other armrests on the way (that will fit all PD bars) to offer different fit options. Of course, I didn't take any photos of them at Eurobike so have to rely on others - this is the race armrest - intended to tightly cup the arms for narrow positions. I was going to arrange for a sample to be sent to Slowman but a World tour team got in first so there are no more samples left. There is another armrest that offers a more gentle curve for general use.

There are other Aeria 2 items on the way, some just alternatives, others will be unique innovations.

For me bars are all about fit - which is why the AU has the largest fit range of anything that doesn't have sliders (which just offer smaller x increments for Felt and Trek). The Enve has limited width adjustment and large steps in X. What I don't like about the Enve is the weak armrests that don't offer a firm control base.

By having a range of extension options, 15deg of built in tilt, 7.5mm x increments, 5mm stack increments and 18.5mm width increments as well as (soon) 3 armrest options you will need to be a very special snowflake to not be able to optimise your position with the AU.

One of the criticisms of the AU is the weight of the stem, but now the Enve is 100g heavier so it's pretty clear that these type of stems are not light!

Any luck testing older P2 or P3 with rider?

No, because the AU stem was released before I started writing the instruction sheets. I did take pics of the process but that never made it through to being published.
How I do it is to cut the outer to a length that gets the noodle in the right place, then thread the inner through the outer and noodle. Then it's easy into the stop.
To get the length right - no brake lever - put the noodle in and cut the cable at the lever end, then push the lever body on.

All,

I've reached out to David and expect him to respond soon, but in the meantime, what have people done to:

1. Make it easier to drink from the straw?

2. Help kep the splash guard in place (since it pops in/out so easily on bumps.

Thanks!

Does anyone know if it's possible to flip a PD 1/Seventeen stem (i.e. angled up at 17°) and fit the Aeria system? By the looks of it the Aeria would be angled up instead of level with the basebar.