I test rode Samantha with my new straight aerobars. I have a couple of first impressions:
They narrow your shoulders by a whole bunch.
Your wrists need to be flexible (no bishop beating jokes, please).
A period of acclimation is wise.
Flexibility exercises are key, as your shoulders are being rolled in and up, if that makes any sense.
I cut a pair of mountain bike bars in half and attached them using my Mini Sub 8 armrest/extension mounts. Using a grip shifter mechanism, I was able to do this as a “try me” type of thing. I think I COULD get used to this, as I felt a bit of a leverage type of thing going on. We will see.
I’ve seen guys use the straight part of their bars (as leverage) when they want to accelerate in the aero position, and have even tried it (with success) myself. Your right about the wrist flexability, but could not see myslelf going 112 miles like that. Do you think that you can ride an ironman with those bars, given enough “practice”?
It’s hard to explain until you see the pics. I have to find a way to post the pics.
BUT- try this: put your hands in front of you like you’re on the aerobars. Now, turn your wrists downward. Your shoulders go up and in when you do this, or at least mine do.
I don’t know if I could answer a question like that at this point. I can’t stay in a TT position for more than 40K unless it is considerably higher than my short-course position. I only do sprint or below distances, but love to ride on my road bike for over 250 miles if the day is right. I can’t see me on my Fox for more than 100 miles, and I think the straight-arm position, at this point, would not be comfortable, or even feasible.
one of my observations with a very similar position is that greater strain is placed upon the triceps—that might not be good for a long course triathlete whom just finished a mile or 2 swim.
Hilarious and terrifying in equal measure. Usually it takes years of formal training at the Bruce Campbell-Sam Raimi Memorial Film Institute to effect that combination successfully. Well done!
I will have to try your video when I have a little more time. My dial-up connection is slower than Blackstrap Molasses.
This shoulder thing could be different for different physiologies, who knows? I notice a difference. But as the diet commercials say: your results may vary.
What I hope people don’t try to do is have straight aerobars for all of their events. I think this is only a good thing for the shorter-distance events, and ONLY for the experienced.
At the end of the day this straight bar thing is going to prove to be yet another endless debate. The bottom line is that it will work for some people; i.e. be more comfortable or faster or both. Others will hate it and/or be slower using it. Some folks can run fast off a slack angle. Others need 80 degrees. Some folks can ride an SLR 112 miles. Others need an Azoto and a pad. There will be a lot of folks who simply do the “cool” thing and run their aero bars straight with no evidence as to whether they are faster or slower doing so.
What’s my point? I guess I’m tired of folks trying to paint every rider into the same aero box. I was thinking the same thing this morning reading over the reports on Giro designing their new aero helmets. The thing is, the shape (the figure, not fitness level) of the individual will determine whether a particular design works for an individual or not. Lance’s fairings worked for him, and apparently David Millar as well. But how many others out there have similar humps in their back like Lance? Does it work as well for someone with a flat back? I doubt it. Ullrich, Eki, Botero, Hamilton and others have completely different shapes than Lance. There is no “one-aero-fits-all” solution out there, whether we’re talking frames, wheels, bars, helmets, or anything else.
I’ll be waiting further reports from the sylvilagus one regarding his trials. . .
that was interesting what with the ski mask and sun glasses… Looked more llike you were getting ready to rob a 7/11 instead of trying thie position thing…thanks for the laugh too…sorry not trying to be mean or anything…just brightened up the morning here at work while I waste time on the forum and not getting anything done… LOL
Here’s the run down of the bikes in my life. I name them after women as I tend to spend almost as much time as I dop my wife.
Samantha, my Corima Fox. She’s curvy, fast, and furious. She’s yellow, and has all of the bells and whistles.
Monica, my GT Course 853. She’s stable, has classic goods looks, and impresses me in small ways every time I ride her.
Christine, my GT track. I named her after the movie, Christine. If you have seen the movie, you’ll know why I named her that name.
Past bikes:
Linda, my beloved former Trek OCLV. This was a beautiful bike which I compared everything with.
Gina the Limey, my former GT Vengeance that was painted lime green. My wife’s a Brit, and that’s where the colour and name came from. I do miss that bike in some ways.
Angie Everhart, my former red Curloo. This bike had looks, but no substance in the BB. I had to retire the thing very, very early, as the mushiness drove me *&^%ing NUTS!!!
My former C’dale CAAD4 Aero 700c had no name, except for "those mother fers would not listen to me and ordered a bike that was four centimeters too fing big for me in this frame.
I think what will happen is rather than trying it out on their own in a very economical fashion, people will just buy these when they come out because Lance, Jan, and about 1/4 of the pro peloton do it. They will hate it, and regret spending their hard-earned money.
This is not the answer for everyone. Hell, it may only be the answer for about 1/4 of age groupers, and maybe that number COULD be high.
The main reason why I am trying this? Because, for $5 and about 20 minutes of work, I can try this. If I really like it, I will get some 5 degree nice mountain bike bars, wrap the in carbon for the hell of it, and do 'em up real purty.
