Has anyone ridden both of these aerobars? Which did you like better? I’ve got the Easton Attack bars and I find them to be very comfortable but the Hed Aerobar looks much more aerodynamic. Which bar would you recommend for long course? I think they’re about the same weight (800g or so) with brake levers. Anybody have any aero data and/or opinions on comfort?
Thanks,
I have ridden both and installed a number of both. No doubt in my mind on this one: Hed is the clear winner. Here’s why: MUCH more adjustable for sizing: Can be cut to length, width of extensions adjustable, more sizing components available from Hed with more in development and on the way. There is no excess “stuff” on the Heds. They figured out what you need and where to put it and threw the rest away. The version of the Hed bars you are buying now is realisitcally the fourth generation retail version and probably more like the sixth generation version in total. They are very refined with non-skid coating on the base bars, two versions of elbow pads and at least three versions of extensions. That is a degree of “tunability” simply not available on any other bar.
I think the Hed bars are very, very good. Of the one piece aerobars currently available, they are the best IMO. The FSA Visiontech are outstandng as well, but do lack the Hed’s tunability and fitability.
Bones, both these bars have been tested in a wind tunnel against a few others by Kraig Willet. The results of this test can be found on his site. It wil cost you a few dollars to access the results but when you’re talking that kind of money it’s worth it IMO.
I believe that the HED is one of the most aerodynamic, adjustable and comfortable one-piece bars made today.
HED is the bar that the 2003 and 2004 World Time Trial champions both used (Miller and Rogers): http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2004/worlds04/index.php?id=mtt/10
Check out the frontal area of the HED and compare it to the Easton - there is a difference.
my .02 is that the HED’s are wonderful looking but are not comfortable. the brakes pinch the hands and the samll hand holds were hard in material and also for comfort for long course. it’s nice in aero though. the eastons are more comfortable. i made my own that are as light as the HED’s with a profile cowhorn and a straight MTB bar cut in half with F19 pads. works real well and was very inexpensive. i love hED products but the bar was really tight on comfort. good luck.
Here’s my thought. Easton makes baseball bats, Hed has making bike parts for years.
"Easton makes baseball bats, Hed has making bike parts for years. "
Isn’t that kinda like saying that Shimano makes fishin’ gear but Campagnolo makes parts for Ferrari and NASA? 
I am riding the HED aerobars now and I love them. I considered buying HED, Visiontech, Easton, and Oval. I chose HED for a few reasons:
Everything I had heard or read said they were as aero (if not more so) than anything on the market.
HED is “tunable” unlike Visiontech. Easton is somewhat so and Oval is the same as HED.
Like I said, Oval is the exact same bar from what I understand (I believe there was even a lawsuit between the owners of HED and Oval over this. Read about Bicycle Sports and John Cobb on this site for info), and the HED bars were less expensive.
Easton was way too expensive in my opinion and what’s worse, once I saw them I couldn’t imagine that they were anywhere near as aero as the HED. I’m no engineer but that profile seemed HUGE!
The longest ride I’ve done on them so far is 45 miles. I will say if you have your hands out wide (ie. over the brake levers) your hands are going to get sore at some point. But fellas, these are AEROBARS, not road bars with drops and multiple hand positions. The POINT is to be AERO. I have found them to be very comfortable if you ride them the way they are meant to be ridden.
That is my opinion, and believe me, its not worth much.
"Isn’t that kinda like saying that Shimano makes fishin’ gear but Campagnolo makes parts for Ferrari and NASA? "
I agree completely
Easton has been making part for bikes for a loooong time. they started making tubing long before anyone heard of the brand name. They also make quality components (bars, stems and forks) that many people on this board are probably running on their bikes.
I have the Attack Bars and while I think the HEDs are probably a bit more aero I like the fact that the Attack gives a slightly higher hand position. I would like to use the flat HED style aero position but i don’t ride on my tri bike enough to keep my back in that kind of shape for 112 miles right now. I prefer the options I have with the Attack for now. I wouldn’t sell my Attack to get a HED bar, but would look more closely at the HED & Bontrager now if I were in the market for a new aerobar.
Tom or whoever…
I just installed my Hed and extremely pleased with the results, although it going to be confined to the trainer until the snow melts.
My only concern (and question) is over lateral stiffness. Anybody road tested these on a “hood” hill climb? Flex? I’ll be riding these guys in IM Moo this year where I’ll be out of the saddle and would appreciate any thoughts…
(I’m coming off of Carbon X that I would consider stiff laterally…)
thanks!
Tom,
I went and checked out the Hed’s yesterday at Nytro and I’m very impressed with the design. I’m planning on using these at IM CDA and I use a front Profile aero bottle. Do you think using a front aero bottle will waste most of the aero benefits of the Hed (compared to the Easton) or do you still think the aero advantage with the Hed’s is worth making the change? Also, I’m a little concerned about the comfort of the elbow pads compared to the Easton pads. You mentioned that there are two versions of elbow pads. How are they different? Do you recommend the S-bend aero extensions?
Thanks for your input.
PS. Will you price match Nytro? I can get them for $431 (with my USMC discount).
Does anyone know how these bars stack up against the other bars out there - A bit to much ££$$ for me mind -
http://www.lcs-shop.com/trolleyed/40/index.htm
(see bottom of the page)
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