ASK RBA: ASK RC: SELECTING THE RIGHT AEROBARS

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ASK RBA: ASK RC: SELECTING THE RIGHT AEROBARS
Richard Cunningham
February 8, 2010

Lance Armstrong uses aerobars that feature an up-turned design
(Photo: Roberto Bettini)

I am almost 68 and have not ridden a bike for over 20 years. Late last summer I bought a Kuota K Factor in a road configuration, drop bars, Ultegra brake levers and shifters. Have things ever changed in 20 years. My style of riding is for fitness and the pure joy and pleasure of being on a bike. I like to ride between 60 and 80 miles per week, sometimes pushing it a bit and other times easy spinning and just cruising. I have no intentions of time trialing, or racing except with my self. Recently I have been thinking of adding a set of clip on aerobars to my road bike. I have spoken to a couple of friends and they say they wouldn't ride without theirs. My question is what style of bars would be best for my situation? Some bars are attached under the handlebars while others are attached on top. What style of bar, ski bend, straight, or one of those with all the down turns and up turns and side way turns? What material, carbon or aluminum? Any advise you can give me in choosing the correct style of bar would be greatly appreciated.
– Ron Wilson

If you are just starting to ride with aerobars an up-turned design will make your bike more stable and easier to control while you are in the aero position The Profile Design T1 aluminum aero bar is one of the easiest to get used to and easily clips on to most drop bars. If the T1 aluminum bars are not to your liking Profile Design makes a variety of clip-ons that will do the job. You may want to add some brake levers on the ends as well for a bit of added control. Here’s the link to the T1 Aluminum bars.

Contact Richard Cunningham for questions or comments, or just to talk bikes at: askRC@roadbikeaction.com

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