which to purchase first - aerobars or pedals and cleats

Tough call - you will gain more speed with aerobars, but pedal more efficiently with clipless pedals. So I think it sort of depends on your goals.  Are you trying to be faster or to use less energy/be more efficient?

I'd go for pedals and cleats without a doubt.

Edited by Experior 2010-05-08 6:14 AM

Pedals and cleats. You will get more use out of those as opposed to aero bars.

You should be able to find pretty cheap used pedals and aerobars.  If you can't do both though I may actually consider aerobars assuming you are comfortable with your toe cages and can get them tight enough.  You will be losing power transfer for sure, but it might be good enough.  Add some aerobars to get low and it could make an immediate difference.  Another thing to consider is that you may end up with a great T2 if all you already have your running shoes on...



Can I ask what your budget is?  People could help offer up opinions if they knew.

I couldn't imagine riding without clipless pedals. Aerobars may or may not make and difference depending how they are set up.

Everyone told me to buy clipless pedals and cleats first, but I went the aerobar route.  My first tri was scheduled for 12 weeks and while I thought that I could learn to ride with aerobars in that time, at least for part of the race, I wasn't so sure about the clip-ons.  It also meant buying bike shoes and breaking them in.  I was afraid I might hurt my feet with new shoes and didn't want to take that chance.  Since my bike is old (Really old) I also wanted to see if the aero position was for me and if I should consider a tri-bike.  Once this season is over I will definitely consider going clipless and train over the off season. 

Clipless pedals.

And just to clarify since I see a lot of people that don't seem to realize what all the various terms mean:

Toe clips, clips, cages = pedals that have little  cages for the front of your foot. Can be used with regular running shoes or bike shoes (although that is pretty rare to see these days.) 

Clipless pedals = pedals that use a cleat system and attach your shoe to the pedal with a mechanism either in the pedal or the cleat. you then have to twist your heel to the outside to unclip. Despite being called "clipless" riders often refer to "clipping in" with their clipless pedals. 

Clipons = clip on aero bars. These are aero bar extensions that can be connected to either a standard aero basebar or a standard roadbike handlebar. Seems like most people are usually using these with a road bike, but they are not exclusive to roadbikes.

Saddle = the seat of a bike. I don't think any one ever uses this term to refer to toe clips... 

On my previous entry level RB it came with pedal cages so I went the AB route first.  Once fit was adjusted properly it was comfortable for me and enjoyed riding in teh new position and was ~ 1mph faster since I was more aero (couldn't stand riding in the drops).  I then bought a Felt S22 TB and first rode it with the cages then immediately put on the new tri shoes and clip pedals and was amazed at the difference, definitely lots of energy lost when not clipped in.

If you have a budget look at the Performancebike.com and Nashbar.com websites, there are always deals going on.

Clipless pedals......without a doubt.

Glad that you are enjoying riding. Welcome to a magnificent obsession! 

I bought aero bars 1st, I noticed an immediate difference. Your hr goes up when you move up to regular road bike position, fwiw. I didn't notice much after I bought cleats and pedals other than I wasn't pedaling with my toes anymore cuz my feet were too big for the cages..............

Clipless pedals, without a doubt.  There's such a big difference in riding after you're attached to your pedal.  I couldn't ride distance without clipless pedals again, but I can definitely do without my aerobars.

Clipless pedals without a doubt.  I bought the cheapest shimano road pedals from nashbar for dirt cheap with a coupon code and I love them.

I honestly can't ride a bike seriously is I can't clip into the pedals.

x2
This was brought home to me this past winter.
My winter ride is an ancient steel Bianchi that I put platform pedals on so that I could ride in sheepskin boots (yes I ride when its THAT cold). The feeling of not being "one" with the bike was most unnerving........

blynott....

My SIDI bike shoes required absolutely no break in time at all.  I'm starting to wonder if they make regular shoes or running shoes as the uppers are incredibly soft and comfy.  I was up to 50 mile rides in them almost right away and I've yet to experience any rubbing or discomfort from them.  So don't let fear of breakin shy you away from clip in shoes.  Just buy good ones.  I love mine.

I also found that the learning curve to clips ins is very quick.  I was told to expect at least one incident of a slow motion tip over where you can't get your foot out in time.  And yes, that did happen to me on my first ride with them.  And it was pretty funny.  But I very quickly became very comfortable with them.  I'd say within 6 rides you will be too.  Within 20 you'll have forgotten all about them.  Its well worth going with clip ins.  The feeling of direct transfer of power from foot to pedal is pretty awesome.

And to the original poster...    This is my first season of Tri's and my first riding a high end road bike.  I decided to go with clip ins right out of the gate and wait on the aero bars till next season.  I want to focus on building better bike handling skills and an even pedal stroke before I worry about shaving time with a better aero position.  I'm going to wait till next season to either buy a dedicated tri bike or add aerobars to my road bike.  I don't know what pedalling with cages feels like, but clip ins really make you feel locked in to the bike.  Well worth it if you ask me.

I would go with the pedals as well. I have no idea why but i just like the way they feel.

neither one should break the bank, but I'd go with shoes and pedals. I think mine were under $150 for both. Yeah, you can buy top dollar for a lot more if you want, but I didn't. I got some nice Shimano pedals for around $50 and the shoes were on sale for around $75.

Definately pedals and cleats they are more efficient

As most others have said....Shoes and Pedals...there isn't a break in time for the shoes and it is very helpful.  I also have clip on bars but rarely use them as you can't shift gears, so it's really only useful on long flat straights where you are not planning on having to shift.  You do get some advantages in areo on a road bike but not even close to that of clipless pedals and shoes.....

Pedals and shoes!  I just started a thread last night about how much difference they make.

You will likely not be aero all the time. Not at first anyway. You will pedal MOST of the time.  The math alone there is pretty simple.

Cages will give a similar advantage, but to me they just don't seem as safe.

Power transfer is awesome, and wearing the shoes makes me feel more like a 'real' biker too.... 

Although I could go either way on the attention I get indoors with the cleats. Click...click....click....

+1 on pedals/cleats - I can't imagine riding any distance over 10mi w/o my shoes, while at this point I still don't have aerobars. I may skip adding aerobars to my roadie altogether and just wait until I get a real tri bike

I'm going to pile on with the pedal/cleats/shoes over the aerobars.  

I can't imagine riding a bike now without being clipped to it... I can manage w/out aerobars.