I am looking to put some clip-on aero bars on my Trek road bike in training for my first full iron distance triathlon (IMFL). I have done a half-iron distance on this same bike without any aero bar setup at all (I am okay being that guy). I am not super fast and am not looking to re-do my entire fit into a full triathlon set-up, but am looking for a little aero benefit and most importantly, comfort. Is there a commonly relied on clip-on set that would allow me to put them on when needed, take them off when needed, and let me get some benefit without having to change my entire bike fit? I am not able to get a tri-bike right now, and don’t want to fully give up my road bike for the next year. I would appreciate any comments or suggestions. Thanks.
Profile and the ironman clip on seem to be the easiest to remove and replace without problems with bolts etc.
Prolite T2 cobra are trouble free quality bars.
Profile airstrike 2 cheaper and also reliable or Syntace C-2 I have tried all three myself so can speak form experience. Each one is different and best on a different bike.
Things to consider.
Triathlon Bar set up.
The best position for tri bars is level with the ground when you have a standard bike, although you do
need to be comfortable with them, tilt them slightly pointing upwards to pull against may help.
Fit them on as soon as you get them and even sit on the turbo easy spin and ride in the aerodynamic position.
If you cannot ride in the triathlon bar position for more than 2 minutes it means you need more practise or you are not comfortable.
You should be able to look ahead if you cannot adjust them so you can.
Why fit Tri Bars?
They will allow you to go further, help you go faster by saving energy so saving time and make you aerodynamic but only if fitted correctly.
What to look for
When riding on the Tri-bars your back should be flatter
You should be lower on the triathlon bars than when riding in the drop handlebar position.
For more info check out the Ironmate web site, type in tri bar setup on the front page of site search and info will appear.
If your handlebar is carbon you will need to check that a clip on can be used with it.
I’ve only used the Profile Airstryke, which could be attached and taken off in a couple of minutes and are pretty flexible with regards to length of extensions and spacing f the pads. But cannot say they are better than anything else.
I had to start with short extensions at first as stability and confidence were an issue - and then moved them longer to enable a more aero position when I got more confident. If you have ridden a lot already you could be OK staright away.
I would recommend using them on an indoor trainer for a significant number of weeks prior to using them outdoors.
why not leave them on all the time? they don’t get in the way, and you can spend more time getting used to the position.
in addition to some good posts above.
First you need to look at your road position. How long can you stay in the drops? 112 miles? if you can’t stay in the drops for a significcant period of time then first consider new road bars with a shallower drop or a new stem.
If you are comfortable on the brake hoods (which i assume you are) then the bars are the best option (Ritchey, Deda and others make a shallow drop). If it’s possible to get that sorted out then you now have what is probably the best head/shoulder/torso position you can get on the road bike (in the drops). Now you want to go from the drops to the extensions without raising the head/shoulders. You just want to bring the arms under you. This will be hard because most clip-ons will bring you up too high. You can do a search for people who have modified T2s and Jammers so they run below the bar and the pads are barely above/behind the bar. You can also look at Deda clip blue or the Oval A710/910 which run below the bar and have pretty minimal pad rise (i’m sure there are others). If you are going with a new stem then the Oval system my work because you can get the face plate for mounting the extensions under the bars. You can even get a adjustable stem if needed to switch back and forth if road and tri positions are a bit different.
Don’t make the mistake of thinking that just putting clip-ons on will make you more aero. Usually they are much worse than the drops and sometimes no better than the hoods. if you don’t expect you can get a set up that allows you to stay that low (drops) then you will need to find extensions that get you as low as you can adjust to, again you might need a different stem. Now you will plan for 3 position heights; drops, clip-ons, hoods. Remember, you don’t have to stay in one position the whole race for the best time. Alternating between the drops and clip-ons can optimize the overall result. People who say that ‘you should find one set up for the entire race and stay in it’ are wrong. Often the optimal result can be achieved with 2 or 3 positions as opposed to one mediocre position.
you might also find this is best with a different saddle. Cobb makes some good saddles to help you get forward on the nose of the saddle.
good luck
I don’t know if anyone’s pointed this out yet or not, but if you get the clip on’s that are two separate pieces, a lot of races won’t allow them because they’re afraid of them impaling you or another racer in a crash! Canadian National Short Distance Championship this year would only allow them if you got a spacer piece that made them one solid piece.
I don’t know if anyone’s pointed this out yet or not, but if you get the clip on’s that are two separate pieces, a lot of races won’t allow them because they’re afraid of them impaling you or another racer in a crash! Canadian National Short Distance Championship this year would only allow them if you got a spacer piece that made them one solid piece.
Isn’t that only in draft legal?
Not sure! Only my second season!!