S Bend Advantage?

Triathlon Forum
1

What is the advantage to S bends? I assume aerodynamics, but how is the comfort?

Thanks!
Ed

2

Comfort. Much more natural wrist bend. Makes good things more and bad things less.

3

Makes good things more and bad things less.
Well said.

4

Tom,

Do you know if the s-bend extensions that you are getting from Hed would work on the Oval Concepts bars? I have the A900 carbon bars and would like to try the s-bends. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Happy Holidays…

Craig in Alabama

5

I think they would. Not positive.

6

Tom - What is your thought to S Bend as it related to seat position? It seems to me that the S Bends work well in a slacker position when you can raise the handlebars slightly and extend the arms more forward without compromising much aero (but gaining a more open lung). At least that is what I’m gathering from LA’s situation.

So, the question is over a person riding…78 to 80 degrees where there is typically a 90-degree elbow bend…

Any thoughts?

7

How about on Carbon-X’s?

8

Last month my project was to retrofit some Carbon X…which ended up being a pain in the ass. Out of pure “cool” factor, I wanted carbon and couldn’t handle the embarrassment of having an all carbon bike with aluminum extensions (although I put a veneer on my Thomson post…it’s so stupid, I know).

Anyhoo, the short story is that Profile had S bends (sorta) at Interbike and the recent Triathlete mentioned they were coming. So, rather than hack apart another pair of MTB bars and find the inside diameter is too small, I’m waiting for either.

  1. Profile to release as an accessory

  2. Hed to release as an accessory (they will fit, yes…to answer your question, with a shim)

  3. Just buy a pair of 1 piece Hed with S bends b/c I will then have an adjustable stem!

I’m leaning towards #3 at this point…