Can anyone tell me which aftermarket aerobars are adjustable for stack height. I’m looking for bars which work with a standard stem and which the extensions and elbow rests can be stacked up as one unit. There seems to be a few where the elbows can be raised but the extensions stay fixed (the Zipp Vukas look like this is the case).
And, this is a long shot, but does anyone know if such are bar exists which can adjust the stack height and the extension angle, independently of the base bar angle? I’m guessing this can’t be done (easily). For example, I have HED V8s which can be adjusted for extension angle simply by rotating the extensions on the base bar. This keeps the base bar flat (and aero). But I can’t adjust them for stack height.
In general, I find that aerobar manufacturers don’t show the range of adjustability very well on their websites.
Interestingly, looking at this photo, showing the kind of thing I want to do:
It seems that the elbow rests are parallel with the ground and DM has raised his hands with custom extensions.
Reason I’m asking, I’m looking at pretty much the same setup as shown in the photo - Felt DA, fixed position zero rise stem. If my forearms are parallel to the ground, that’s fine, but I like to raise my hands above my elbow level.
There is at least one option out there that does everything you ask: the new Bontrager XXX Lite aerobar. It borrows all the hardware from the Trek Speed Concept, but uses a 31.8mm clamp mount. You get stack and tilt adjustment.
If you will accept getting rid of tilt adjustment (or will accept tilt at the stem as an alternative), more options open up. The 3T aerobars all fit the bill. That’s what VDV is riding in your picture. The Pro Missile EVO works too.
Which look interesting. I’d definitely pick up a set of these if they can be adjusted for stack and angle. As long as the extensions are long enough - I have long forearms.
They wouldn’t work on my current bike since I need very low stack bars, but they do look good. I wonder when they’ll be available. No rush though, since I don’t have my DA yet anyway.
already running a large negative rise (e.g. -25deg) stem on your current bike too? just saying if you wanted to get a set of the new Race X-Lite carbon bars as seen in Nick’s gallery you might cover the low-stack concern that way. I see a small quantity of the bars available in the domestic warehouses as of this morning, with leadtime into the new year after that (subject to change). and yes, they have pad/extension stack and angle adjustment independent of the basebar. 50mm of pad stack to play with in 5mm increments.
I must admit, looking at the design, I’m very impressed that you’ve nailed getting those 2 adjustments to play nicely together. No-one else seems to even be trying.
I’m running a -10deg stem at the moment. What’s the minimum stack height from the top of the base bar to the top of the pad?
about 45mm…with a 10mm thick pad and everything level. since the pad holder has a pretty high outboard flange and the bracket for the pad holder can be rotated about the extension axis independently as well, you might be able to knock 5mm or so off that stack height.
Sounds like they might do the trick. I think my Vantage 8s are about 35-40 mm (I’m away from home at the moment so can’t check) but I have a 2.5mm stem spacer in there.
If I’m honest though, I don’t know if it matters, I won’t be racing my tri bike until May anyway, so it’s just getting hammered on the trainer.
The 3T bars would definitely be an option but I prefer the aero extension shape of the Bontragers and I like the independent extension angle adjustment. IMO the 3Ts are a bit ugly too. But, still an option definitely, thanks.
