It seems that horizontal base bars (or even angled slightly downward) is the default for tri bikes now.
I ride in a lot of hills and I prefer a base bar that is angled upward so I don’t feel like I am going to slide off the front while descending.
To this end, do any superbikes out there allow you to tilt the base bar up a few degrees?
thanks,
Twain
Quintana Roo PRSix does.
Depends how you define superbike.
Any tri bike that uses a regular bar/stem combo like a road bike (which is what the QR PRsix uses) will give you that ability to tilt the base bar.
Typically if it is a longer hill I just hold onto the arm cups. Most pro cyclists also do this on hilly time trials.
twain, stevej mentions the QR PRsix and the Canyon Speedmax CFR & SLX both have an elevated base bar option.
Ian
twain, stevej mentions the QR PRsix and the Canyon Speedmax CFR & SLX both have an elevated base bar option.
Ian
Do the Canyons actually allow you to tilt the base bar up?
The goal is to have the base bar angled up to mimic the feel of riding in the drops of a road bike for more secure descending.
You could get the QR with a PD Aeria Evo bar - that has angled grips
Or any bike that takes a normal stem/bar. In many cases a ‘mortal’ bike is superior to the so called superbikes for adjustability, ease of use and sometimes speed.
Orbea and p3x/Px definitely can be tilted up. I think so can the new Plasma
Wonder if you can still buy these?
It seems that horizontal base bars (or even angled slightly downward) is the default for tri bikes now.
I ride in a lot of hills and I prefer a base bar that is angled upward so I don’t feel like I am going to slide off the front while descending.
To this end, do any superbikes out there allow you to tilt the base bar up a few degrees?
thanks,
Twain
Surely the choice of a “Superbike” should be the output of the selection process, not an input?
The defining feature of “Superbike” is a high price. That’s not a pro for sensible people, it’s a con. After that, they all have varying benefits and sacrifices. Adjustability and portability often being sacrificed for weight and aerodynamics, or just for appearances! But since adjustability deficits may result in bad position or other work-arounds due to incompatibility, there is no certainty that “Superbike” means faster.
It seems that horizontal base bars (or even angled slightly downward) is the default for tri bikes now.
I ride in a lot of hills and I prefer a base bar that is angled upward so I don’t feel like I am going to slide off the front while descending.
To this end, do any superbikes out there allow you to tilt the base bar up a few degrees?
thanks,
Twain
I would think a basebar angled up would be an aerodynamic no no. The grips yes, the rest of the bar, not so much
While not “angled” the basebar on the Argon 119 can be flipped around to get the grips higher to make it more comfortable when out of aero.
They cannot be tilted, they can be flipped to a higher position but not tilted in an angle which is I think the op wants
But maybe i’m mistaken 
Jeroen
.
The goal is to have the base bar angled up to mimic the feel of riding in the drops of a road bike for more secure descending.
Let me ask a question.
Do you want a hand position where the front of your hand is higher than the back of your hand, ie the front of the basebar is angled up and the back is angled down like this /
or do you want a basebar that can be flipped upside down or downside up to increase the stack height of where you hands are in the X plane?
IIRC someone makes a bar that has the extension part going backward. Hang on, took me :04 to google it. This is what you want: http://revo.3tcycling.com/
The goal is to have the base bar angled up to mimic the feel of riding in the drops of a road bike for more secure descending.
Let me ask a question.
Do you want a hand position where the front of your hand is higher than the back of your hand, ie the front of the basebar is angled up and the back is angled down like this /
or do you want a basebar that can be flipped upside down or downside up to increase the stack height of where you hands are in the X plane?
IIRC someone makes a bar that has the extension part going backward. Hang on, took me :04 to google it. This is what you want: http://revo.3tcycling.com/
Where the front of the hand is higher.
I tried the Revo’s. Totally sketchy feeling though the idea was great in concept.
Where the front of the hand is higher.
.
that’s going to kill aerodynamics or at least hurt them to some degree.
If you’re concerned about that I’d recommend trying skateboard tape or skidguard no slip or a tread tape?
I have some old(er) base bars laying around where the front end is upswept a bit, some vision techs, shimano and profile bars, maybe some more. IDK if they’d work on your bike but if you’re interested I can shoot you pics and you can see if they’ll work.
Where the front of the hand is higher.
.
that’s going to kill aerodynamics or at least hurt them to some degree.
If you’re concerned about that I’d recommend trying skateboard tape or skidguard no slip or a tread tape?
I have some old(er) base bars laying around where the front end is upswept a bit, some vision techs, shimano and profile bars, maybe some more. IDK if they’d work on your bike but if you’re interested I can shoot you pics and you can see if they’ll work.
I do think that a small sacrifice for safety is worth the marginal aero gains. I mean - how many watts does it cost to have the base bar horizontal vs, say, 5 degrees tilted up?
I do think that “older” base bars, particularly Vision and Profile, did a great job of allowing position changes. It’s just that with the newer “totally integrated” super bikes, everything is aero-optimized and non-customizable. IMO, this is at the expense of safety and real world comfort.
Perhaps brands like QR which don’t try to absolutely integrate everything give more real world flexibility to allow “off the shelf” modifications.
You probably want to stay at 5deg. or a bit less: https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/inclind.html
(this is for using a stem-clamped base bar that can be easily rotated).
Given the cost of a new bike, another option is 3D printing 5deg. angled shims that sit on top of the basebar extensions. Attach with non-permanent adhesive and wrap with bar tape.
You probably want to stay at 5deg. or a bit less: https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/airplane/inclind.html
(this is for using a stem-clamped base bar that can be easily rotated).
Given the cost of a new bike, another option is 3D printing 5deg. angled shims that sit on top of the basebar extensions. Attach with non-permanent adhesive and wrap with bar tape.
That’s a good idea. I really don’t like the rubber grips on my Felt IA. I’m going to look into making some shims and taping them.
I do think that a small sacrifice for safety is worth the marginal aero gains. I mean - how many watts does it cost to have the base bar horizontal vs, say, 5 degrees tilted up?
I do think that “older” base bars, particularly Vision and Profile, did a great job of allowing position changes. It’s just that with the newer “totally integrated” super bikes, everything is aero-optimized and non-customizable. IMO, this is at the expense of safety and real world comfort.
Perhaps brands like QR which don’t try to absolutely integrate everything give more real world flexibility to allow “off the shelf” modifications.
I’m confused. If you want practicality and comfort and you’re willing to compromise performance to get it, why are you still looking for a “Superbike”. I’m not criticising your priorities, they’re reasonable, but that’s not what Superbikes are typically designed to prioritise.
Airfoiled horizontal structures are there entirely as a drag reduction measure. Inclining them provides lift and associated induced drag. The lift serves no purpose in that plane, I suppose it will provide negligible RR and traction reductions but that’s all. At angles below stall, the added aerodynamic drag shouldn’t be huge, though perhaps not insignificant either. The smaller the angle of attack of the bar, the less drag you’ll incur and there’ll be certain angle beyond which you stall some or all of the bar and drag will jump significantly.
Just saw the release video on the new Trek SC. Looks like the SRAM Red levers stick up above the basebar to keep your hands from sliding forward.
