I love my aero bars, but have gone without since September as I want to be a better road rider, and the side effect has been a vast improvement in my TT speed. I do a 5mile TT as my fitness test. Out and back and I have to push my start button as I take off, so it’s not slick, but it’s the same every time. So I’ve been doing all work outs without and did my first test of the year with aero bars as I hate to TT without. My goal is always 12 minutes. If I go under I’m on track, if I’m over I know I need more work and I usually go under 12 by mid summer. I consider myself a poor tt’er as I feel like I should be at the 27-29 mph range (who doesn’t). But for all the work I do, I’m a sprinter and there was something magical in the 80’s about the 25mph average, so that is still the goal.
First time out with aero bars on a road bike for 5 miles standing start and a turn around, no aero wheels 11m 42s. That’s as good as I did all last yearI was happy as can be and my only change other than my cholesterol is time and workouts without the bars.
I wonder if I don’t lean on them too much and accept a slower speed and the efficiency doesn’t grow strength as it should.