Score!!

[HillSlugger]

Aero takes getting used to. Definitely a good idea to get used to the position while on the trainer.

[Tri Girl]

I was super squirrelly on the tri bike when I first got it. Took some time (even tho I had aero bars on my road bike). The tri bike is a more squirrelly ride than the road bike in general. It always takes a month or so to get my neck into "aero" shape when the season starts back up in the spring (even tho I ride the trainer in the winter- weird).
Since I do some group rides, I am very comfortable on the bullhorns, too.

So excited for you!!

[HillSlugger]

I was super squirrelly on the tri bike when I first got it. Took some time (even tho I had aero bars on my road bike). The tri bike is a more squirrelly ride than the road bike in general. It always takes a month or so to get my neck into "aero" shape when the season starts back up in the spring (even tho I ride the trainer in the winter- weird).
Since I do some group rides, I am very comfortable on the bullhorns, too.

So excited for you!!

Interesting; I find riding the tri bike in aero *way* more stable than riding the road bike with areobars.

[tulip]

GLC, congratulations on your new bike. You have earned it! No doubt you will have some successful races next year.

Just a wee concerned about the talk of riding on tri bikes and aero bars on road bikes on group rides. I really hope that those who do that will re-think it. There's no reason to ride with aero bars (and certainly not on a tri bike) on group rides. As mentioned here, they are squirrely, which can really cause problems on a group ride. They are also quite dangerous in a crash because they can (and have) literally impale a person. Considerate riders don't ride their aerobikes on group rides!

[kacie tri-ing]

GLC, congratulations on your new bike. You have earned it! No doubt you will have some successful races next year.

Just a wee concerned about the talk of riding on tri bikes and aero bars on road bikes on group rides. I really hope that those who do that will re-think it. There's no reason to ride with aero bars (and certainly not on a tri bike) on group rides. As mentioned here, they are squirrely, which can really cause problems on a group ride. They are also quite dangerous in a crash because they can (and have) literally impale a person. Considerate riders don't ride their aerobikes on group rides!

Though I totally agree, I don't think anyone was talking about riding in the aero position on the group rides, but riding sitting up on the brakes, right? Never a bad reminder, but on the brakes, I do think we have the same kind of control as a rider on a roadbike. Hands are in the same place.

Now, I also don't ride group rides much, because I don't think it is great tri training (and I have a road bike). I did ride my tri bike up in the mountains yesterday on a "group ride," though people are not particularly grouped when climbing for an hour anyway Plus, they were mostly IM triathletes like me who do not like to draft anyway.

Just my 2 cents. everyone should be careful and considerate on every ride.

[tulip]

Though I totally agree, I don't think anyone was talking about riding in the aero position on the group rides, but riding sitting up on the brakes, right?

No. What I am talking about is riding with a cycling group on a bike that has aero bars, either the full-on ones or the clip on ones. Either way, even if you ride on the hoods, it's not considerate from the perspective of other riders because of the injuries that can come from the aerobars themselves.

If there is someone with aero bars/bike on a group ride that I am on, I will stay far, far away from them. I also will tell them my thoughts on the topic. Needless to say, I don't make many friends in the aerobar community!

I realize this is not a popular thing to say here on the Triathlon forum, but I do think that it is important.

That being said, I do wish GLC many happy rides (alone) and tris on her new bike!

[kacie tri-ing]

Understood, but I also don't want to take away from the fact that this is a thread about a beautiful new bike and a happy new owner

Happy to carry on this discussion in a new thread about tri bike safety if you want!!!

Can't wait to hear about you riding it!!!! So hot!

[tulip]

Yes, that's why I put the "That being said" part of my post.

GLC, that bike is one fast looking machine, indeed.

[colby]

GLC, I had the same issue when I got mine and it's kinda freaky. I found if I didn't grasp the aero bars very tight it helped. I'm still a little wiggly on mine. It takes a while to get used to riding these bikes but they are so much fun.

You definitely want to learn to relax your upper/front body. My neck, shoulders, and arms are much happier if I don't really grip the aero bars unless I need to (climbing, for example, for a little more leverage). I mostly rest my hands on them loosely. If that part of your body isn't tense, it doesn't refer into your neck and shoulders nearly as badly. You'll still have some neck and back muscles to build, but those will come.

[GLC1968]

You definitely want to learn to relax your upper/front body. My neck, shoulders, and arms are much happier if I don't really grip the aero bars unless I need to (climbing, for example, for a little more leverage). I mostly rest my hands on them loosely. If that part of your body isn't tense, it doesn't refer into your neck and shoulders nearly as badly. You'll still have some neck and back muscles to build, but those will come.

Thanks all!

Colby - My fitter was actually impressed with my back and shoulder strength (100 PU's helped!) and said that it wouldn't take me long to adjust. I hope he's right. And I totally get what you are saying about relaxing. I discovered exactly that on my short ride - the return trip was better than heading out because I was learning to relax a bit. This bike is also WAY stiffer than any of my other bikes, so I'm sure that's contributing to it somewhat as well.

I actually look at this as a new, fun challenge - something exciting to learn! Last winter is was learning to swim again...this year, it's learning to ride a bike again!

Tulip - no worries! My road bike will still get my group riding time unless I'm specifically going out with other triathletes (in which case, we won't be doing any drafting anyway).

[Cataboo]

Anyone have an extra standard double crankset with 165mm arms lying around unused?
.

I've got a 9 speed ultegra level standard double 165 mm with bottom bracket. I'd estimate less than 500 miles before I sold the bike I had it on. I'd put 10 speed chain rings on it. And it's been in a box for a year and a half or so

[GLC1968]

I've got a 9 speed ultegra level standard double 165 mm with bottom bracket. I'd estimate less than 500 miles before I sold the bike I had it on. I'd put 10 speed chain rings on it. And it's been in a box for a year and a half or so

Aw, thanks! But I opted to go with just switching out the cassette. I'll get plenty of range out of an 11-25 cassette with the compact crank. I hope to get it switched out this week, actually (my new cassette just arrived).

I appreciate the offer though!

[Tri Girl]

Interesting; I find riding the tri bike in aero *way* more stable than riding the road bike with areobars.

oh I agree! I can ride safely on the brakes or in aero. I can eat, drink, take a nap in aero on the tri bike with no problems at all!

And I don't have a road bike, so the only bike I can ride on group rides is my tri bike. I never get in aero on a group ride. I'm just as stable on my bullhorns as I am on the hoods on my old road bike.

GLC- you will get used to it fast! It's SO much more comfortable and running off the bike on a tri bike is so much easier than when I had aerobars on my road bike. SOOOO excited for you!!

[kacie tri-ing]

GLC- you will get used to it fast! It's SO much more comfortable and running off the bike on a tri bike is so much easier than when I had aerobars on my road bike. SOOOO excited for you!!

Agreed! When I switched over during IM training, my chiro did WAY more adjustments on my shoulders and neck for about a month. Then, it seems like my body just adapted to the position.

[Cataboo]

Aw, thanks! But I opted to go with just switching out the cassette. I'll get plenty of range out of an 11-25 cassette with the compact crank. I hope to get it switched out this week, actually (my new cassette just arrived).

I appreciate the offer though!

Excellent. I'd responded before I finished reading the thread. The bike looks gorgeous.