What should the distance be from saddle tip to aero bar tips?

Triathlon Forum
1

I know it will range depending on taste but what is the guideline? What is the guideline based on? Torso length? Arm length?

I had a professional fit for my P2. I am building a new bike and I have always felt the shifters are too far away. I feel like I need to reach too far.

I am in the process of buying base bar and aero bar for the new bike. I plan to keep the length from saddle tip to basebar the same. But I am going to play around with aero bar length.

So how is the calculation done on the aero bar length?

Must have been discussed many times but did a search on the forum for aero bar length and did not really see anything.

On another forum I read length of tip of elbow to knuckles when making a fist.

Thanks in advance!

2

depends how long your torso and arms are man.

your hands should ideally warp around the ends of the shifters for max aero, or whatever is comfy for you

3

UCI is 80cm max
.

4

UCI is 80cm max
But only if your elbows are <120 deg.

5

Not sure i did a UCI tt last week and they has the 80cm rule for every one
.

6

Generally, it’s almost exactly your saddle height. It can be a touch longer or shorter based on morphology, but if you go with saddle height, you will likely be reasonably close. In my experience, I’ve never seen someone who was fit properly who had a difference more of more than 2cm between the two (unless they were riding an Adamo). I’m sure there are some people, but I’ve seen countless cases where they are exactly the same. My tip-to-tips distance is 1cm less than my saddle height, due to my long-legged morphology.

EDIT: if you want to get really close, Dan and I came up with a formula. It’s on the main site under the topic of “Static Fit system” (under the bike fit category or you can search).

7

Thanks. Found the static fit document. But what I was looking for is some guideline on length of aero bars. Did not find one in the document.

I am guessing it really is what you prefer. Saddle tip to elbow pads is in the document. I am fine with what I am using. But elbow pads to aero bar ends I guess is mostly what you like.

I am going to try shorter bars so I can shift with my fingers without moving my hand or arms. How my bars are setup now I can’t shift without moving arms.

8

It’s based on penis length. Not as effective for most women.
PS - my aerobars are WAAAAAY out there. :wink:
Signed,
Dirk Diggler

D-baggery aside, you seem to have a reasonable starting point, based on your current fit.
Try your new aerobars at about the same length you have now.
If they still seem a bit long, you can cut them down. It’s awfully hard to make them longer if you cut too much, so do a little at a time.