I raised my aerobars from about 25mm to 70mm; what should I expect?

Triathlon Forum
1

I have never been comfortable in my aero bars (cramped gut, shortened hip extension, shoulder/ neck annoyance) for long and it has been a long time since I had a fitting on my TT bike. In an attempt to get more comfortable in the bars I made a fairly drastic change and changed my risers going from about 25mm to a noticeable 70mm.
I am going to get a ride in later today (either Zwift or around the neighborhood) and a long ride (100+ miles on Saturday).

My question is what can I expect? Is this too drastic of a change? Will my elbows and forearms take on too much weight? I know I am going to lose some aero but I am ok with that.

Thank you for the feedback.

2

More taint pain? And others telling you to go to a pro bike fitter

3

Fair response; thank you.

4

Which saddle are you using?

5

An ISM Adamo Podium.

6

To run better
.

7

Can you post a video of you riding the bike on a trainer?

8

FWIW, I do not think that is that big of a change depending on your history/fit. I just started riding my TT bike this year and as I do every year I raised the aero bar position ~2cm (20mm). As my riding goes more towards TT in the summer and my back and legs accommodate I lower the position to my “fitted” ideal specs.

If you can’t hold it it is not ideal, so others are correct to get fitted, but I also advocate some conditioning, especially if you have some frost on the pumpkin;)

9

I’ve gone from a pad stack of 490mm to 515mm and feel better. I’m capable of going lower but I appear to be the same speed vs power as I had been before.

10

Hey Guys, just an observation from a metric Canadian, so other readers aren’t confused. 1cm = 10mm, not 100mm.
If your pad stack height is 500mm that’s over a foot and a half. Don’t try that at home.

11

Hey Guys, just an observation from a metric Canadian, so other readers aren’t confused. 1cm = 10mm, not 100mm.
If your pad stack height is 500mm that’s over a foot and a half. Don’t try that at home.

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12

I know I am going to lose some aero but I am ok with that.

**Pad stack and saddle to pad drop do not dictate your position… **or your aero drag. There is a huge amount of positional range based on how you hold your shoulders, neck, and head. I raised mine 80mm and it was better in every way. 45mm isn’t a lot.

Can you ride with your head below your shoulders and nearly kiss your forearms?

You likely have other positional and equipment options you should look at as well.

13

Thanks for the catch, and in this case sometimes even people growing up with the metric system make a mistake;) Point still stands, now in cm and mm!

14

Maybe you need shorter cranks…