There are two main options for road bikes, endurance (think Roubaix, Domane, Defy) and race geometry (Tarmac, Madone, TCR).
I find the race geometry a bit to twitchy and don’t have the flexibility for it. So prefer getting endurance geometry for the comfort and overall enjoyment of pain free riding.
I’m also thinking about getting clip on aerobars at some stage when I get into longer course triathlons. Is it even worth putting clip ons onto an endurance geometry bike? Or is this triathlons version of a cross dresser and not compatible with each other?
The bike gets twitchy because you’re putting too much weight on the front wheel. If you want to ride fully aero, use a bike that’s designed for it. If you want a roadie and add clip-one, make them shorties with a high and narrow position.
The bike gets twitchy because you’re putting too much weight on the front wheel. If you want to ride fully aero, use a bike that’s designed for it. If you want a roadie and add clip-one, make them shorties with a high and narrow position.
Yes, I’ve got a small frame and tried with a longer stem but is just too uncomfortable.
So when you say get a bike that is designed for it, you would lean more towards a race geometry with clip ons obviously.
I’m just asking, is it worth thinking of putting clip ons onto an endurance frame geometry or does it just not work?
There is another option. Get a tri frame, i.e., a bike with a steep seat tube and a long front-center. Put on drop bars (and add clip-ons when desired–for me, that’s all of the time, as in I always want aerobars as an available option). The bike will handle great. And it’s a versatile and comfortable set up.
Clip on aerobars were marketed to touring cyclists when they came out as an alternative and more comfortable position. Not new. On some clip ons the pads don’t adjust far back enough to make it comfortable IMO.
The bike gets twitchy because you’re putting too much weight on the front wheel. If you want to ride fully aero, use a bike that’s designed for it. If you want a roadie and add clip-one, make them shorties with a high and narrow position.
Yes, I’ve got a small frame and tried with a longer stem but is just too uncomfortable.
So when you say get a bike that is designed for it, you would lean more towards a race geometry with clip ons obviously.
I’m just asking, is it worth thinking of putting clip ons onto an endurance frame geometry or does it just not work?
Fully aero meaning a tri bike, as was suggested previously – steeper seat tube angle and longer front center. NOT, as you said “obviously”, leaning towards a race-geometry road bike and adding clip-ons.
Yes, it’s worthwhile adding clip-ons to an endurance geometry road bike. Shortie bars that will allow you to get narrow, not necessarily lower.
I ride a Domane with clip-ons. My position is about as unaggressive as it comes, but I’m super-comfortable. I have the seat post flipped and the saddle all the way forward:
You will likely have better luck with aerobars where the pads clip to the aerobar itself, rather than to the handlebar. That way when you pull the extensions back, the pads come with them.
Though profile bars that use attachment to the handlebar will often have a decent amount of rearward adjustability.
Do it reduce dat frontal area ya no wut I’m sayin bruhhh like hella aero bruh get a lil comfortable too ya no like make yo back muscles feel lavish up on that bicycle
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I’ve done the same as this guy too with a Trek Pilot (last model in carbon fiber) before the Madone/Domane split change with the relaxed geometry. Worked fine for me until I was able to convince the wife for permission to buy a dedicated Tri Bike.
Check out the Redshift clipon aerobar/seatpost system. DC Rsinmaker wrote up a detailed review.
Agreed. We’ve been playing with the Redshift Switchaero system lately and really like the results. Next week we’re conducting some tests for a magazine to demonstrate what the system does for both biomechanics and aerodynamics.
I have done an Ironman and many 70.3’s on a Defy with clip-ons. I don’t anymore (own a P2) because the tri geometry is way more comfortable than clip-ons on a road bike. The Defy is an awesome road bike but it’s hard to be comfortable on the aero position. You can certainly get away with it but you are compromising some speed (and enjoyment) by doing so.
I ride a Domane with clip-ons. My position is about as unaggressive as it comes, but I’m super-comfortable. I have the seat post flipped and the saddle all the way forward:
I run a Domane 5.2 with clip-ons, I want to say I am a little lower than you but I can’t find a picture of my profile on the bike right now. At any rate, it is plenty comfortable and I notice some added efficiency when I am resting my arms on the pads. I was thinking of moving to the red-shift system instead of flipping the post around.
From a bike fit perspective, you will need to watch your hip angle. Close it up too much and you are really limiting yourself in many ways (breathing, GI, muscle fatigue). And if you don’t have the flexibility to compensate for a lax seat post, you won’t be doing very well in your run off the bike.
Getting shorter cranks will help a little, flipping the seat post (if you can) will help. But getting a frame that allows your hip angle and back angle accommodate your current fitness level and goals would be best.
Jay, would you be so kind as to share your thoughts regarding the retrospective comparison of your domane with aerobars, vs your prior cervelo triframe? I am actually not a stalker, but I’m your age, and have followed your trail since you mentioned that you could do Ironman longcourse on your domane and enter T2 WITHOUT BACK PAIN. Have you found any significant time penalty on your domane? or, does the increase comfort level translate to equivalent race times? thanks in advance; always a fan of yours. Sorry, I know this is digging up an old thread.
