Aero bars?

[tygab]

I have heard or read maybe here that one shouldn't have aero bars without shifters (for safety I guess). Is this correct? I am wondering if I should outfit my bike with them for this coming season. It is a regular road bike, so I don't think shifters would be an option. Also, I would still be nervous using them, is there anyway to get used to them beforehand?

The only reason I am entertaining it is because I have been 'trying' the position in spin class/trainer sessions, and I kind of like feeling hunkered down.

[anakiwa]

Do what you'll be most comfortable with (and don't worry about looking silly)!

I started out on a road bike and then purchased a second bike with a tri set-up. For group rides and long training rides I much prefer the road bike (more upright position, more positions to move around between). For racing (time trials and tris) I really like the aero position.

For your first race and a sprint it probably doesn't make that much of a difference (in the longer races it's really nice to have the aero set up). That said, if you already have the aero set-up it's easy enough to use it (and if you keep racing you'll definitely want to learn how sooner or later).

Good luck!

[Kimmyt]

Thanks for everyone's input. I guess since I have bars anyway I will just reattach them once in awhile to do some training rides.

Tygab, my bars do not have shifters on them as they are detachable. The bike was marketed as a 'multisport' bike i.e. tribike, but I guess it is more of an entrylevel one since the higher end tri-specific bikes seem to have shifters on the aerobars?

Anyway, I will give them a shot and see how I like them. I know that I like to be in the drops, and I imagine maybe the aerobars will be even more comfy for someone like me who is extremely flexible in the hips and torso.

Thanks again!

K.