When I am riding with people with aerobars I find I can usually pass them on descents when they are in their aerobars and I am in a "descending position" i.e.. Hand low in the drops, Bum off the saddle, chest low, knees against the top tube. The last time the guy I was riding with was probably 20lbs heavier and riding a Cervelo Dual. Is this normal? Frankly after 55kph I move my hands from the aerobars to the drops anyways... Just feels safer… so I don't see any benefit using aerobars while descending if you have a set drop handlebars.
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Re: Faster descending in the Drops or Aerobars? [chris_gr]
[ In reply to ]
Riding on aerobars isn't the most aerodynamic position you can get into - it's supposed to be the most aerodynamic that you can be in and still power the pedals.
On downhills, it's much easier to get more aero on the drops. It affords you more stability to get into the tightest tuck possible.
On downhills, it's much easier to get more aero on the drops. It affords you more stability to get into the tightest tuck possible.
Re: Faster descending in the Drops or Aerobars? [chris_gr]
[ In reply to ]
Gotta vote drops as well. I can also descend with a lot more confidence.
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Re: Faster descending in the Drops or Aerobars? [chris_gr]
[ In reply to ]
On a downhill I'll only ride the drops because I want my hands near the brakes in case of an emergency situation. That split second extra you save by not having to move from the aero bars to the brakes could be life saving.
Re: Faster descending in the Drops or Aerobars? [chris_gr]
[ In reply to ]
Saw a pic of Walton, a few years ago, with his hands on the horns and stretched out, with his rear all the way back off the saddle and his chest almost down on the top tube, and his head down to the aerobar pads. I've been using it since. Can't pedal, but for fast descents it's more stable and faster.
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Re: Faster descending in the Drops or Aerobars? [docfuel]
[ In reply to ]
are you all talking 'drops' as standard drops or bullhorns?
Re: Faster descending in the Drops or Aerobars? [chris_gr]
[ In reply to ]
When it's too steep to pedal, I either use the bombing tuck (below), or am on the basebar for steering/braking.
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Re: Faster descending in the Drops or Aerobars? [chris_gr]
[ In reply to ]
Depends on whether you want to relax on the downhill or expend energy. Staying in the aerobars allows you to be relaxed, contorting for a more aero position engages a lot more muscles.
Interestingly, on one Strava segment I have an essentially equal time for TT bike (3.39) and Road bike (3.41). Hit a higher top speed in aerobars (~70kph) but because there are corners and flatter sections the road bike made it easier to sprint to regain speed (also I think I had a slightly more favourable wind on the road bike). 30w less on the TT bike and felt more relaxed.
Interestingly, on one Strava segment I have an essentially equal time for TT bike (3.39) and Road bike (3.41). Hit a higher top speed in aerobars (~70kph) but because there are corners and flatter sections the road bike made it easier to sprint to regain speed (also I think I had a slightly more favourable wind on the road bike). 30w less on the TT bike and felt more relaxed.
Re: Faster descending in the Drops or Aerobars? [cyclenutnz]
[ In reply to ]
On the last Olympic Tri i did i passed a guy at the bottom of the first major descent staggering around looking dazed with blood up his arms and his P5 planted in the grassy verge like a meteor had landed..
I assumed he was on the aerobars and lost it once it started to get really fast. I was doing 45mph on the bullhorns at the time.
I assumed he was on the aerobars and lost it once it started to get really fast. I was doing 45mph on the bullhorns at the time.
Re: Faster descending in the Drops or Aerobars? [Titanflexr]
[ In reply to ]
That looks so sketchy . Not only is 100% of the weight over the front wheel a lot of it appears to be over front of the steering axis.
The smallest wobble and you are in a world of hurt. I'm not doubting its fast on the bike but I would need to change my tri suit before the run if I did that.
The smallest wobble and you are in a world of hurt. I'm not doubting its fast on the bike but I would need to change my tri suit before the run if I did that.
Re: Faster descending in the Drops or Aerobars? [scott8888]
[ In reply to ]
Re: Faster descending in the Drops or Aerobars? [burnthesheep]
[ In reply to ]
Yeah I have seen that video before. All you can conclude from that is he doesn't descend aggressively and a bad descender is a bad descender no matter what they ride.
His position on the road bike doesn't look any different from when he is riding flat roads so he left a lot on the table. Watch any the grand tours and it become obvious having large balls is much more important than the bike when it comes to descending speeds. My previous point is my balls aren't large enough to put 100% of weight over the front well of a TT bike.
His position on the road bike doesn't look any different from when he is riding flat roads so he left a lot on the table. Watch any the grand tours and it become obvious having large balls is much more important than the bike when it comes to descending speeds. My previous point is my balls aren't large enough to put 100% of weight over the front well of a TT bike.
Re: Faster descending in the Drops or Aerobars? [ret123]
[ In reply to ]
Like this:
_________________
Dick
Take everything I say with a grain of salt. I know nothing.
_________________
Dick
Take everything I say with a grain of salt. I know nothing.
Re: Faster descending in the Drops or Aerobars? [chris_gr]
[ In reply to ]
I’d imagine Graeme Obree’s position would work pretty well for descending.
Re: Faster descending in the Drops or Aerobars? [chris_gr]
[ In reply to ]
I tested top speed down a straight downhill going 45mph. Friend started a bit in front of me then tucked. I tucked and was staying even with him, then got into aero and still stayed even.
Based on that, for me and my setup, aero = tuck > bullhorn.
IMSR said no aero position on the starting descent so I just tucked the whole thing and put ~15sec on the 4 people around me.
Based on that, for me and my setup, aero = tuck > bullhorn.
IMSR said no aero position on the starting descent so I just tucked the whole thing and put ~15sec on the 4 people around me.
Re: Faster descending in the Drops or Aerobars? [chris_gr]
[ In reply to ]
chris_gr wrote:
When I am riding with people with aerobars I find I can usually pass them on descents when they are in their aerobars and I am in a "descending position" i.e.. Hand low in the drops, Bum off the saddle, chest low, knees against the top tube. The last time the guy I was riding with was probably 20lbs heavier and riding a Cervelo Dual. Is this normal? Frankly after 55kph I move my hands from the aerobars to the drops anyways... Just feels safer� so I don't see any benefit using aerobars while descending if you have a set drop handlebars. You may find some value in this video from the crew at the Specialized Wind Tunnel
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Re: Faster descending in the Drops or Aerobars? [Thomas Gerlach]
[ In reply to ]
That was great! Thanks
That's more or less what I recall from the Walton photo years ago (except he was on a tri-bike) and what I do, although I can't get quite that flat at 66.
To give credit Ianpeace showed me the photo.
_________________
Dick
Take everything I say with a grain of salt. I know nothing.
That's more or less what I recall from the Walton photo years ago (except he was on a tri-bike) and what I do, although I can't get quite that flat at 66.
To give credit Ianpeace showed me the photo.
_________________
Dick
Take everything I say with a grain of salt. I know nothing.
Thomas Gerlach wrote:
chris_gr wrote:
When I am riding with people with aerobars I find I can usually pass them on descents when they are in their aerobars and I am in a "descending position" i.e.. Hand low in the drops, Bum off the saddle, chest low, knees against the top tube. The last time the guy I was riding with was probably 20lbs heavier and riding a Cervelo Dual. Is this normal? Frankly after 55kph I move my hands from the aerobars to the drops anyways... Just feels safer� so I don't see any benefit using aerobars while descending if you have a set drop handlebars. You may find some value in this video from the crew at the Specialized Wind Tunnel