I realize we all have different brands that we like and that there are differences between them.
But that is not the point of this post. I am looking to figure out what aero bar shape makes the rider the most aerodynamic and the most powerful, basically the two goals and aero bar has.
I personally have gone from an L to an almost flat bar, and while it looks faster, and tests faster without a rider I imagine, is it really faster? I am not sure.
So here are the shapes as far as I can tell and a reference to Profile Design bars not to favor PD, but because they easily show all shapes that I can think of http://www.profile-design.com/product/aerobars/
T1+ or V4+ L-shaped where your hands are on the bottom of the L angled up
No PD bar, but you get the picture - Straight - almost flat and require a bit of a wrist flex to use
T2+ S-bend low - a very slight shape but keeping a low profile
V2+ S-bend high - a clearer S shape with a flat part, slanted rise and then flatter part for hands
T5+ fairly straight bar angled slightly up
T3+ straight, then angled down and then angled up
Again, this is NOT about PD or any other company. It is about shape. What shape makes the RIDER most aerodynamic and what shape helps the rider be aero but also retain strong power output? I have seen no recent or good information helping me understand the impact the aero bar shape has on aerodynamics and power and would love some ST forum input.
The most aero position is normally the one you can keep in for duration of the ride. And in general, gentle ski bends (like 30°) are comfortable for a majority of people.
Getting aero is of course the most important thing, but I say do that and get comfortable at the same time.
The V2 and V4 are just intended to give a similar grip angle to the T2/T4 but with more rise to accommodate undermount bar setups. However, if you need more rise on an overmount setup they can serve for that too.
I’m not a fan of anything other than ski bends of over 30deg grip angle. I find that angling the wrists down creates tension that tends to refer to the shoulders and cause the rider to pop their head up. You want your arms to be as relaxed as possible - which is a combination of overall position, armrest choice and armrest-grip relationship.
Note that having a high rise extension effectively lowers the grip angle, so if you have bars that can’t tilt and want more rise you need to look at higher angles. If you have bars that tilt you can look for an extension with low rise and the angle you like.
You can consider grip angles and rise values to your hearts content here
That makes sense but then for example, how do you figure that out for yourself? I don’t have access to a wind tunnel to try them out.
Look up “Chung Virtual Elevation Testing” or search for “The Platypus Thread” here on Slowtwitch. If you have a power meter and you’re diligent, you can tease out what’s fastest for you.
Edit: if I had to wager, the fastest aerobar extension shape would be the new Zipp Vuka Evo 70/110. For me, when they’re rotated inward so they’re almost touching, they allow a grip I can’t achieve with any other extension shape.