Advice On Aero Bars!

[ChickWithBrains]

I think there's a lot of wisdom posted so far. There are so many times and places NOT to use aero bars. But there are also plenty of great reasons TO use them!

I find that my aero position is very comfortable and lets me isolate my lower body to focus on dynamics and quiet my upper body when training. And they make me go faster when I race. But I ***only*** use them on wide, well paved roads I know very well which is closed to cars and reserves two lanes for cycling (fast and slow). I do not use them around blind curves, when there are kids around, or if cycling or pedestrian traffic picks up. I do not use them on roads I've never ridden on before. I do not use them when riding in a group and only rarely when with a buddy (usually who is pacing me). I pick the times I use them during a race carefully and only on courses I know, have checked out, and when I'm not surrounded by a bunch of other cyclists. I adore my bars, and you may too -- just be careful and smart about when and how you use them.

[Tiffany]

I think there's a lot of wisdom posted so far. There are so many times and places NOT to use aero bars. But there are also plenty of great reasons TO use them!

I find that my aero position is very comfortable and lets me isolate my lower body to focus on dynamics and quiet my upper body when training. And they make me go faster when I race. But I ***only*** use them on wide, well paved roads I know very well which is closed to cars and reserves two lanes for cycling (fast and slow). I do not use them around blind curves, when there are kids around, or if cycling or pedestrian traffic picks up. I do not use them on roads I've never ridden on before. I do not use them when riding in a group and only rarely when with a buddy (usually who is pacing me). I pick the times I use them during a race carefully and only on courses I know, have checked out, and when I'm not surrounded by a bunch of other cyclists. I adore my bars, and you may too -- just be careful and smart about when and how you use them.

^ +1 I feel exactly the same way.

[SR500]

They are heavy as well, adding almost a pound to the front. DH went bank and forth and finally decided the benefit wasn't worth it. He does fine in the drops.

[liberty]

I think there's a lot of wisdom posted so far. There are so many times and places NOT to use aero bars. But there are also plenty of great reasons TO use them!

I find that my aero position is very comfortable and lets me isolate my lower body to focus on dynamics and quiet my upper body when training. And they make me go faster when I race. But I ***only*** use them on wide, well paved roads I know very well which is closed to cars and reserves two lanes for cycling (fast and slow). I do not use them around blind curves, when there are kids around, or if cycling or pedestrian traffic picks up. I do not use them on roads I've never ridden on before. I do not use them when riding in a group and only rarely when with a buddy (usually who is pacing me). I pick the times I use them during a race carefully and only on courses I know, have checked out, and when I'm not surrounded by a bunch of other cyclists. I adore my bars, and you may too -- just be careful and smart about when and how you use them.

I absolutely love my aero bars. I'm just a casual rider, not a racer (yet). Before I bought my road bike I was riding a hybrid and found that I continuously wanted to put my elbows on the handle bars to give my back a rest. So it was one of the first things I got when I bought the road bike. I don't regret the purchase, and I use wisdom about when I ride with them.