Thanks for your reply Tom. I really enjoy reading your contributions to this forum and your articles on the Bikesport website. I learned today from Morgan Nicol, the president of Oval concepts that their product catalog is incorrect.
Mistake #1: The aluminum aerobar is the A700 not R700TT as stated in the catalog and on their website. The carbon bar is the A900.
Mistake #2: The catalog shows that they are available in 40, 42, and 44cm wide versions. They will only be offering them in the 42cm width. Their reasoning is that the rider should be in the aero position most of the time and should only be on the ends/brakes when a greater amount of maneuverability/control is required. Bar end width should not make as much of a difference when used this way. They will consider offering the A700 in the 40 and 44cm widths next season. But they would have "tooling" issues to overcome first.
Now that I think about it. I always try to maximize my time in the aero position. So, their explanation makes sense to me.
When I was in high school and in college, I used to work after school for a competition Go-kart chassis fabrication company. I've even built a few myself. I don't know how Oval manufactures their aero bars, but IMHO I don't think it would be a very radical change to make some adjustable "jig" that's capaple of accepting any width airfoil shaped tubes needed to make their aluminum bars. As for the carbon bars... I won't comment. I know very little about working with carbon fiber.
Tom, you're absolutely right. I should be patient. And not just when it comes to aerobars. I got a speeding ticket last summer while on my bike. I have a copy of it around here somewhere.
Oddly enough I have yet to get one while driving a car.
I'm an excelent driver!
Thanks again for your input,
E-Z
--It ain't a good idea to swim near MY bubbles!
