General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Do they make tri bikes with clip-on aero bars? Rss Feed  
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2006-06-21 8:50 AM

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Champion
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Subject: Do they make tri bikes with clip-on aero bars?
OK, do they make bikes with tri specific geometry, but with clip on aero bars?

I think I might want a tri bike *someday* (I dream often!)... but I don't want a bike where the aero bars have the shifters on them. Instead, I like the shifters to be where the brakes are. I'm just scared to have my brakes and shifters in two seperate places. I want my brakes where my hands are.

And I know I can put some aero bars on my road bike... but I think if I were to get a new bike, I would want it to be tri specific geometry.



2006-06-21 8:55 AM
in reply to: #461341

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Giver
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Subject: RE: Do they make tri bikes with clip-on aero bars?

There are some low-end tri bikes that are set up with drops and STI shifters. The QR Trueno is one, for instance. BUt once you get past that level, they're almost exclusively set up with bar-end shifters. It is possible that a shop might be willing to swap out for a traditional cockpit, but you might have to pay a bit extra.

http://www.rooworld.com/bikes/2006/trueno.aspx

2006-06-21 9:07 AM
in reply to: #461341

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Pro
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Subject: RE: Do they make tri bikes with clip-on aero bars?

KSH - 2006-06-21 9:50 AM  but I don't want a bike where the aero bars have the shifters on them. Instead, I like the shifters to be where the brakes are. I'm just scared to have my brakes and shifters in two seperate places ...

I am hearing you sister; I had the same concerns when I switched to bar end shifters on my tri-bike  from the 105's on my road bike.  Now that I have logged some miles on the tri-bike, though, I really like the ease in the shifting of gears, especially while in aero, more than the 105's on my road bike.

Humble opinion is that if you are going to take the plunge for a new bike with tri geometry, you might want to consider going with the full bar end shifters.  If you are going to be on the aero bars, you might as well make it easy to shift (which you do more frequently than brake) ... and regardless of where the shifter are (bar end or on the drops) your brake is going to be in exactly the same place.

Just 2 psi's worth from the peanut gallery ...

2006-06-21 9:08 AM
in reply to: #461341

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, Texas
Subject: RE: Do they make tri bikes with clip-on aero bars?
The Specialized Transition Multi-Sport and Cannondale Sprint are two others that come setup this way. But, be careful as some of these have a more slack frame geometry than others.
2006-06-21 9:11 AM
in reply to: #461341

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Resident Curmudgeon
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Subject: RE: Do they make tri bikes with clip-on aero bars?

KSH - 2006-06-21 8:50 AM Instead, I like the shifters to be where the brakes are. I'm just scared to have my brakes and shifters in two seperate places. I want my brakes where my hands are. 

Alternatively, put your brakes where your shifters are:

http://www.hedcycling.com/aerobars/thirdbrake.php

2006-06-21 9:34 AM
in reply to: #461341

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Do they make tri bikes with clip-on aero bars?
Another thing to consider is the benefit of using a tri-bike - specifically, staying aero for long periods of time and be relatively comfortable. If you are attempting to stay aero the majority of the time, you are going to want to have your shifters on your aerobars as that will be where your hands are the majority of the time.

When you encounter technical parts of the course, you will not be shifting as much and have your hands on your base bar - allowing you to brake when needed. When you need to shift, it is a very quick reach to the shifter and back to the base bar.

As others have mentioned there are bikes out there setup like this but mainly they are entry level bikes and have a slacker geometry. If you are comfortable and confident on your road bike and have decent handling skills, it won't take a great deal of time to become comfortable with the bar end shifters.

Shane


2006-06-21 9:49 AM
in reply to: #461341

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Not a Coach
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Subject: RE: Do they make tri bikes with clip-on aero bars?

KSH - 2006-06-21 8:50 AM I want my brakes where my hands are. 

You'll have to get over this fear if you want any kind of aerobars on any bike.

2006-06-21 9:52 AM
in reply to: #461453

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Coach
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Subject: RE: Do they make tri bikes with clip-on aero bars?
JohnnyKay - 2006-06-21 9:49 AM

KSH - 2006-06-21 8:50 AM I want my brakes where my hands are. 

You'll have to get over this fear if you want any kind of aerobars on any bike.

That’s exactly what I was thinking. Unless you have shifters/breaks on both: drops and aerobars you'll always have to switch from one to another to break no?

2006-06-21 10:19 AM
in reply to: #461341

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Do they make tri bikes with clip-on aero bars?
So you're thinking of drop bars on tri geometry? Why bother with tri geometry, of you're going to be riding with your hands on the brake hoods?

Or maybe you want brake levers on the aero bars instead?

All I can say is -- get over it. Drink the Kool-Aid. Immerse youself in what a tri-bike is -- a rocket made to go fast with you perched on it in the most aerodynamically efficient position you can maintain and produce good power in. You want the shifters out there so you can fine-tune while staying IN the aero position. And when you're reaching for the brakes, you're compromising your aerodynamics.

Drop bars on tri geometry = a waste of either one, or possibly both.
2006-06-21 1:20 PM
in reply to: #461341

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Do they make tri bikes with clip-on aero bars?
Thank you for all the input!

I really do appreciate it.

OH... and I am a total whimp. I brake on downhills. I'm also not a very aggressive or fast rider.

I like the idea of having a brake lever where the aero bars are! Cool!
2006-06-21 3:28 PM
in reply to: #461783

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Champion
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Tacoma, Washington
Subject: RE: Do they make tri bikes with clip-on aero bars?
I don't remember the manufacturer off the top of my head, but there's a brake lever that adds on next to the bar-end shifters... Might be able to find it on TriSports website...


2006-06-21 3:31 PM
in reply to: #462000

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Subject: RE: Do they make tri bikes with clip-on aero bars?

 

↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑ ↑

See my previous post above.

briderdt - 2006-06-21 3:28 PM I don't remember the manufacturer off the top of my head, but there's a brake lever that adds on next to the bar-end shifters... Might be able to find it on TriSports website...

2006-06-21 3:53 PM
in reply to: #461378

Elite
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Subject: RE: Do they make tri bikes with clip-on aero bars?
the bear - 2006-06-21 8:11 AM

KSH - 2006-06-21 8:50 AM Instead, I like the shifters to be where the brakes are. I'm just scared to have my brakes and shifters in two seperate places. I want my brakes where my hands are. 

Alternatively, put your brakes where your shifters are:

http://www.hedcycling.com/aerobars/thirdbrake.php

 When I finally get my new tri bike I was considering swaping the front brake lever for the front shifter.  So on the aero bars I'd have control over the front brake and the rear derr, while on the wings I'd have the rear brake and front derr.  My reasoning was that the front brake and front derr are the two controls I use the most.  I never touch my rear brake, except when coming to a stop (I'd be out of the bars anyway) and I don't shift the front enough to need that control on the aerobars.  That set up should let me stay aero almost the entire race, including managing tight turns at high speed.

Now I see this third brake, I might have to investigate, altho the weight weenie in me is saying to stick to my origional plan.

2006-06-21 4:16 PM
in reply to: #461341

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Do they make tri bikes with clip-on aero bars?
I never touch my rear brake, except when coming to a stop (I'd be out of the bars anyway)


So, you are saying you only use your front brake to stop?

This sounds kind of odd. If you need to slam on your brakes, isn't it safer to slam on the back one versus the front one? And if you are only going to pick one brake to use, why not the back one? Seems like you will be less likely to go over the handlebars.

Then again, I use both my brakes equally to stop my bike... whereas my boyfriend never touches his front brake.

2006-06-21 4:30 PM
in reply to: #462075

Elite
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Subject: RE: Do they make tri bikes with clip-on aero bars?

it's all about weight transfer.  When you brake, your weight shifts forward.  This allows the back to break free MUCH sooner.  Just set your bike on the carpet, grab the back brake and try to scoot it forward.  Now do it with the front brake.  Which one can you do?

The front brake will give you the maximum controled stopping power with the least chance of breaking free, unless it's wet or slippery.  Going over the bars comes with poor bike handling skills, when you don't anticipate the force of stopping and fail to brace against it properly.  If the rear brake had the same stopping power as the front brake, you would be just as voulnerable to going over using it.  So if you are coming hot into a corner and need to scrub speed quickly and you grab your rear, either your wheel will lock making you skid, or you won't be able to scrub the speed as fast because you are not letting it skid.  Where as if you grab the front and keep your weight back and centered, you can slow down in a major hurry.  In fact, I'm willing to bet that you don't have the hand strength to make your front wheel skid on dry pavement.  Also remember that the quicker you stop, the more momentum is being transfered, which means the more force on the front wheel.  That force is transmitted not only foreward, but down.  So the quicker you stop, the more force is driving the front wheel into the ground, improving it's grip.  You may have 100 lbs of body weight on the rear wheel, but when stopping hard, you can get double that or greater on the front.    If you learn to use the front brake as a primary, you will have much more control on fast descents through corners and become a much more confident rider. 

This is why crit riders use almost all front brake and why race cars are tuned to have their front brakes engage stronger the rears. 



Edited by vortmax 2006-06-21 4:34 PM
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