themadcyclist wrote:
You are not alone, I am an experienced roadie, turned triathlete, and I am not comfortable on the aerobars in traffic - mainly because you have no ability to control your speed in the aerobars - you have to shift your hands to the bullhorns to get to your brakes. In traffic, I want to be able to stop as quickly as possible due to the proximity of cars.
Assuming you have another bike to ride, I would save riding your tribike for when you can take it out of the city on routes you feel comfortable - like roads with big shoulders and very few intersections. Practice riding a few minutes in aerobars and then sit up for a few minutes. As you gain experience on it, you will be able to put more time in on the aerobars. Also practice shifting from aerobars to bullhorns on the trainer so you feel comfortable moving between the two positions.
Also - did you get fit to the bike? I would go back to the shop and explain your difficulties - if you have an aggressive position, you might also be reacting to how your weight is distributed over the front end - a more upright position might be more user friendly as you get used to the bike. You can revisit your position as you get more comfortable.
We have all been there - assuming you have a comfortable position, time in the saddle will help alot! Don't worry too much about being low yet - just get comfortable and then you can worry about the most aerodynamic position.
Good luck!
Thanks guys! Appreciate the help! I actually did get fitted but the fit was too aggressive that I felt even more uncomfortable, so I've taken to pushing the seat post down a little more so that more weight is on my a**. I'll move it back up when I do get more comfortable (if ever.....it seems like such a faraway goal).
In an almost last ditch attempt to get used to the aerobars, I bought a pair of parabolic rollers that are supposedly easier to use and set them up in a corridor in the house. I just did my first session and I've successfully managed to smash myself on both sides of the walls....repeatedly. I guess they say no pain no gain. But I figure smashing the walls is better than smashing the bike on the road or having a truck run over me.
My partner's favourite hobby is watching me trying to ride on the aerobars and then laughing his a** off. Guess he won't be getting dinner for awhile.