Aerobar

[Eden]

As this has come back up... I would really discourage anyone not racing from getting an integrated aerobar like Wynrider has. They really are not the best idea for sustained riding, especially if you are not on a closed race course.

The thing is with a race style aerobar not only are the brakes out on the bullhorns (so no quick access to them), the bullhorns themselves are quite uncomfortable and pretty unstable to ride on, so if you find yourself in a situation where it really would be best to not be in the aerobars - traffic, steep twisty down hill, areas that require a lot of stop and go you don't have the regular bars/drops to fall back on.

If you don't intend to use the bike primarily for racing, I would really recommend clip on style bars to put on your regular handlebars. Then you always have the normal ones when you need them and you can remove them if necessary.

[nscrbug]

I have "shorty" clip-on aerobars on my road bike, and I love them. Infact, I don't think I could do a long ride without them. They offer me another position to give my hands/wrists a well-needed break. Not to mention the wind-cheating advantages when riding into a stiff headwind. I don't ride in groups. Most of the time, it's just me and either my hubby or a friend...sometimes it's the 3 of us, but never more than that. If I'm leading, I'll drop down into aero on long straight stretches of road. If I'm following, I will only use my aerobars if I have fallen behind and need to "catch up". Once I get close enough, I'm back onto the hoods. I think having aerobars has made me a better rider, because it forces me to learn better control and handling skills of my bike. Below is a pic of the aerobars I have on my bike...they are Profile Design Jammer GT's.

[Lakerider]

I don't think I could do a long ride without them. They offer me another position to give my hands/wrists a well-needed break. Not to mention the wind-cheating advantages when riding into a stiff headwind. I don't ride in groups. I think having aerobars has made me a better rider, because it forces me to learn better control and handling skills of my bike.

I agree with you nscrbug! During a long ride it's so nice to have another position to give my hands a break! I also don't ride in groups. Usually I'm alone on a quiet road without much traffic. If a car is coming or there's a curve in the road I go back to another hand position. It works wonders in the wind! I love it, love it, love it!