Well here is my problem.
On my road bike I have good quality carbon handlebars, which I just found out that aero bars are not able to be clipped on, as they say that the handlebar will weaken and fatigue.
So the bike store is suggesting the whole bullhorn bars and aero, etc with the option of going with bar end shifters.
I am concentrating on Florida IM which they would be perfect, however the majority of my riding is in Colorado which involves alot of hills.
So what do I do, just clip on bars and hope they don’t break, fork over $200-300 and do a new set up, and if so when in the season do I do it?
Yeah i had a similar issue recently, I had the EC90’s on my all carbon road bike and then decided i wanted shorty aerobars mounted for a technical TT. So instead of going with the Kestrels which for the price dont seem worth it for the extra grammage----i went for the 3T Prima 199 (199 grams and aerobar compatible). Plus, I got the pair on Ebay 2 days ago for $40 shipped! Not bad IMO
Why not just save about 75% of your money and put on an Aluminum bar? Really…how much weight are you saving per dollar spent? What does that bar tape weigh as compared to the savings of the carbon? PLus, one not so hard crash on a carbon bar and you are out shopping for a new bar.
I think carbon is great for somethings, not so great for a drop bar (I do ride Carbon X though…go figure)
I would think that the carbon road bars would be helpful if you rode on really crappy pavement all the time. However, a good aluminum bar with good tape on it will give you 90% of that performance plus the abilty to bolt on any shorty areo bar you want.
And yes, one crash would possibly toast the carbon bars