How do you install aerobars?

Triathlon Forum
1

…clip-on’s on a road bike? Basically - how far from the stem should the bars be? And, should I remove any of the tape from my handlebars before putting on the aerobars?

2

Dan Empfield has a pretty good editorial on body position with aerobars (although a little long)

http://www.slowtwitch.com/cgi-bin/parse.pl?url=http://www.slowtwitch.com/mainheadings/techctr/bikefit.html&text=bike%20fitting

No need to remove the tape unless it makes the handlebar to big (i.e. bolts aren’t long enough).

Good luck

3

Well, first off, aerobars on a road bike has its drawbacks and compromises. Check this article out I wrote a while ago on X-Tri:

http://www.xtri.com/article.asp?id=126

Secondly, do be very particular about how the bars are clamped to the base (drop) handlebar. Be certain the area is free of handlebar tape and thet you are clmaping to a paralell area, not a tapered area. I spoke with a fella from FSA/Visiontech tonight about clamping aerobars to 31.8 mm oversized road bars with a tapered center section. I basically asked if there was any way to do it they knew of. He confirmed my suspicions when he told me, “Don’t do it, we’re pretty strict about that.”

So, if you have oversized stuff, don’t clamp to the tapered section.

Also, as you tighten down the clamps be certain the gapo between the lower clamp and the upper clamp is equal on both side of the aerobar and front to back. There should be equal torque on all bolts and the clamps should be even. Be very fussy about this. It is important. If your aerobars came with mounting instructions read and follow them. I read some instructions from a pair of Easton aerobars today, their newer clip-on aerobar, and learned quite a bit about them and their versatility.

Beyond that, remember to do a good, safe installation job and hit us back with any questions. Good luck!

4

Tom,

Thanks for your reply and link to your article. Seems like you feel there are a significant # of downsides to putting a forward seat post and aero bars on a road bike, which is what I’m considering.

Would you say it’s worth doing these things at all to a traditional road bike? Seems like there are a lot of risks/compromises as you’ve laid out to said changes.