STI Brakes/Shifters on Aerobars

Triathlon Forum
1

The classic aerobar/bullhorn setup has brake levers on the bullorns and bar-end shifters on the aerobars. I’ve only ridden that setup a few times (I have a road bike with clipons) but that configuration always struck me as problematic. First, from a safety perspective if you need to brake hard suddenly it takes too long to get to your brakes, and you have to shift your weight & position around to get there. Second, from a riding perspective you want to stay in your aerobars as much as possible, but we all touch our brakes occasionally for sharp turns, to avoid things in the road, etc.

I’d been thinking about this for a while when I saw the pictures of Peter Reid’s fitting in Inside Triathlon. He has STI shifters on his aerobars, and nothing on the bullhorns. (I can’t find a picture online; if anyone has a link please post it.) That means he can stay in his aerobars almost all the time, and not come out except to stand up and climb. I think that configuration makes a lot more sense. But I wonder how it feels to shift with the levers in that position.

In addition, a few companies make cable doublers that allow you to connect two sets of brake levers to one set of brakes. That means you could also put levers on the pursuit bars if you want them there.

Does anyone else ride a configuration with STI shifters on their aerobars?

Lee Silverman
JackRabbit Sports
Park Slope, Brooklyn

2

I am not convinced that brake-levers on the aero-bar are really better for a panic stop. Most of your stopping power comes from the front brake and in the aero position I would be afraid of going over the handle-bars. If I have a corner tight enough that I need to brake I’m probably better off on my pursuit bar.

3

Basso has a third brake lever on his P3C aerobars so he can slow without getting out of the aero position - very cool.

4

I’ve tried mounting my rear brake lever on the aerobar, behind the barend shifter. If you are doing ONLY TT’s, not triathlons, it might work. The braking from this position is a tad bit scarey!! Your hand is so close to the centerline and forward, you loose lots of control while braking. I used it a few times then decided the lose of control was not worth it…can’t think of a reason to mount it there anyway!! : )

5

I just looked at the newest Triathlete (August issue)and there are pics from the fitting he did in Boulder. Reid has STI levers on his bullhorns and nothing on the s-bend aerobars.