Aero Bars Vs Drops: What Is Faster? | Triathlon & Cycling Aerodynamics

We can spend hundreds on our bikes for some very marginal aerodynamic upgrades, but we could simply change our position with something as simple as some clip-on aero bars. Heather is here to try out the different positions we have to choose from and comparing their effect on our speed.
Subscribe to GTN: gtn.io/Subscrib...
Check out the GTN Shop: gtn.io/F7
We all want to go faster, right? Even better if that involves less effort. We can spend hundreds, even thousands on our bikes for some very marginal aero upgrades, or we could simply change our position with something as simple as some clip-on aero bars.
Our body position has the greatest impact on our aerodynamics. Heather is here to try out the different positions we have to choose from and comparing their effect on our speed.
If you enjoyed this video, make sure to give it a thumbs up and share it with your friends. 👍
Submit your content here:
upload.globalt...
If you'd like to contribute captions and video info in your language, here's the link - gtn.io/F6
Watch more on GTN...
📹 How To Get More Aero 👉 gtn.io/5AeroTests
📹 On The Bike with GTN 👉 gtn.io/OnTheBi...
Music - licensed by Epidemic Sound:
Music - licensed through Cue Songs:
[INSERT "ARTIST - TRACK" OR DELETE AS APPROPRIATE]
Photos: © Triathlon / Getty Images
The Global Triathlon Network (GTN) is the world's biggest triathlon KZbin channel, with new videos every day! GTN is for anyone who loves triathlon: from seasoned triathletes to first timers - and everyone in between!
With the help of our former pro and Olympic medal winning team, we’re here to inform, entertain and inspire you to become a better triathlete; including videos on:
- How to swim, bike, and run faster with expert knowledge
- Try our session ideas
- Investigations into wide ranging topics
- The best triathlon bike tech and gear with pro know-how
- In-depth, entertaining features from the heart of the sport
- Chat, opinion and interact with us across the channel and on social media!
Join us on KZbin’s best triathlon channel to get closer to the sport and to become a better, faster and fitter triathlete!
Welcome to the Global Triathlon Network.
Thanks to our sponsors:
BMC Switzerland: gtn.io/bmc-bikes
Canyon bikes: gtn.io/canyon-b...
ENVE wheels: gtn.io/ENVE-wheels
Felt bicycles: gtn.io/Felt
KASK helmets: gtn.io/kask
ON Running: gtn.io/On-Running
Orca: gtn.io/Orca
Park Tool: gtn.io/parktool
Profile Design: gtn.io/profiled...
Team Bath: gtn.io/TeamBath
Zwift: gtn.io/zwift
KZbin Channel - gtn.io/KZbin
Facebook - gtn.io/Facebook
Instagram - gtn.io/Instagram
Twitter - gtn.io/Twitter
Google+ - gtn.io/GooglePlus
Strava Club - gtn.io/stravaclub
GMBN Tech - gmbn.tech/subsc...
GCN Tech - gcntech.co/subs...
EMBN - embn.me/subscribe

[@gtn]

What is your choice? Let us know 👇

[@TransAm2k4]

I took my road bike and added a Fast Foward seat post from Profile design which moved the seat a significant amount foward then added the longest stem i could get. FInally replaced the drop bars with bull horns which you can use with the regular lever shifter but the last step was replacing shifters with bar end shifters on the clip on aero bars. It doesnt look as nice as a dedicated TT setup but geometry wise its essentially a TT bike now and no need to get out of aero for shifting. Actually My very last upgrade i added a used set of Cervelo P5-6 forks. Once its painted over the winter i will send pictures to GTN!!!

[@chrisgilligan4968]

@@TransAm2k4 IT sounds like you've got yourself a pretty good setup there. If you only need a TT bike though couldn't you have sold the existing bike and used the money from that and what you put into upgrades to get a good used TT bike, or possibly even a new one?

[@TransAm2k4]

@@chrisgilligan4968 Its one of those where you dont plan to make it one thing but at some point you find yourself too far than the rabbit hole. Also, the amount of money invested in it wasnt anywhere near what a TT bike would be and I wouldnt get too much for the bike as its a pretty old model. It probably still would have made since to get a used TT... Probably will end up getting a Cervelo P3 frame and reusing most of the components from this bike on the P3 to make it a P3-6...

[@ianpovey6331]

tt bike for going aero road bike for everything else...gr8 video heather thankyou

[@ninjashogun]

I put bullhorns - aerobars and bar end shifters on my road bike... I dont think it was a good idea because the weight in the front is just incredible and im way slower im going to revert it back. I think for aerobars its best to have a custom fit and proper tt bike.

[@barryfield9300]

When I am on my aerobars I scoot up on the saddle and can put more power over the cranks and actually go 1-2mph faster. With practice being on the aerobars can become your "to go" position on the downhills/flats and even slight inclines. Enjoyable video Heather, much thanks!

[@renegadetenor]

Exact same experience here; don't know if you're a string-bean like me or not though..

[@roatre3260]

I find that riding in the aerobars helps with my power output- my legs are in a much better position, whereas on the hoods my legs are a little bit straighter then they should be, and in the drops my arms get a bit too close to my legs.

[@gregmosher4287]

One thing I find is actually just having the variety when on long rides makes a world of difference. Having grown up with only a straight handle bar bike just being able to switch my hands around on a bike with drop handle bars is a huge improvement, then adding to the mix aero bars which take the weight off your wrists and puts it more on your elbows it just gives even more variety. long story short is having more variety means no ONE spot will be swore at the end of a particularly long ride. - but yea absolutely practice on them because the learning curve can be tricky, turning is harder, and most aero bars don't have breaks or gears which can be tricky, I dont suggest riding on the aero bars anytime you ride on busy trails / roads in spots where quickly breaking will be important.

[@SerialNerdery1825]

I've been waiting for this ever since GTN started. Thank you so much for this presentation!

[@levbobrov1398]

Special thanks for testing this at human speeds.

[@heatherfell_oly]

Sadly I am only human ;)

[@minem23]

I get around 5 bpm less on the bars vs the drops, indoor. Surprised me when I did some bpm based training. Outdoor I got approx 1.4 kmh free speed, pretty much the same as Heather.

[@bryanconyers7970]

That camera is freakishly stable!

[@leeadams2413]

I think you basicaly covered it all. I ride the areobars for aero can corner with them if it's a wide sweeping bend, but I'll change my postion to the drops for downhills at high speed for the security of it plus high speed cornering where I can control myself better with braking and all that. Top of the hoods for uphill climbing or stretching out the back muscles if need be There all there to be used , feel stabilty and confident it's winner in my book

[@SimoneChiaretta]

Here you just add the clip-on with the normal setup. If you did a proper bike fit for the bars, the gains will even be higher

[@edgarsi]

Awesome review! Love it! Thanks! ❤

[@jonathanfarrell1620]

Dude, you’re a legend.

[@DP-sh3nk]

Love riding on the aero bars BUT do not like not being able to "cover the brakes" when I'm at the higher speeds when in "trafficy" areas

[@AWriterWandering]

It looks like a Bar Fly TT Mount.

[@Klopcyna]

its a trade off man, they were designed for long streights, not for tackling traffic

[@JulioCesar--]

There's BMC in the video ! It has an excellent explanation ! It has excellent video ! It's liked for sure !

[@sbyrstall]

Do the goggles vs. glasses make a difference also??

[@tahatercan9828]

Something is different. Is it a new camera? Is it the f stop.... I don't know. But this video looks much better. :)

[@thesaint8400]

I recently bought a great pair of 12" extending aerobars from Blacked(.com). They were quite reasonable

[@jamiefuhrman403]

How much of a difference do clip on aero bars make vs. a TT bike with them built in? Also would love a video comparing the effects of different "aero" upgrades (ex. helmet, aero bars, hydration system). Thanks GTN!

[@henningvonposer5107]

If you ride in the first position but put your arms in a 90 degree position you will see that it is faster than in the 2nd position...tested by many bike pros 👆 of course aero bars is always the fastest option

[@radioaktivejay]

Nice

[@aaroiseverything]

Ive always wondered how much aeroer are narrower bars

[@mathieunorry]

More Heather, triathlon is a sport for women to!

[@kamilkurzynowski3836]

I have a video idea for you. Two beginner athletes with 12k sterling budget. One is only allowed to buy gear and train on his own the other can spend money on coaching and gear. Sad reality of the sport is that people put way to much emphasis on the gear, and not enough on actual proper training. The five minutes or so that you „lose” over the course of whole 70.3 can be easily regained in swim and run at much lower price. The issue I have with TRi/TT bikes is really the fact that most if mere mortals will be riding them less than 20 times a year at best (unless you live in place like California). Price/km ridden is pure insanity.

[@pillbox1240]

Nice video. I am not too concerned about 1 or 2 mph for an Olympic distance triathlon. I’m probably better off learning how to ride downhill and with curves than bother with aerobars.

[@ThisIsJoe07]

If you willingly ride 20+ kms in the drops you are either mad or exceptionally flexible 😁 So over long distance the comparison is really only between hoods and aerobars

[@ninjashogun]

True im that guy w the flexibility to ride long on drops. Aerobars actually slow me down but not because they are slower... its the added transitions lack of road confidence without direct brake line access safety issues etc I can really leg go of my fear with drops and just go....

[@janesmith8603]

Riding in the drops. Most uncomfortable. Riding on areos fastest and most comfortable.

[@ninjashogun]

Depends on your style and shape its the complete opposite for me.

[@Vinnyidol21]

Footage looks crispyyyyy great vid as always.

[@gtn]

Appreciate it!

[@lwittrock1]

Great video!

[@Klopcyna]

Wow, this was one good test, really stands out compared to that overtalked shit we get from GGN. I also use aerobars on my bike but I've got broad shoulders and I often struggle because I cant make the elbow pads any wider (there already in maximum left and right position). What might be shocking to some is that I fitted them on a commuter bike (apart from commuting I also do onroad (long hauls) and offroad riding). The only thing I dont like about the bars is that they add to the total weight of the bike. Aha, and once fitted they look extremely cool

[@ianmoore3253]

Great video. I am thinking of using clip-on bars on my endurance road bike for an Ironman race instead of using my TT bike. I think I will run my own version of this experiment with my own set-up (Cube C:62 Vs Dolan TT). The main reason being that my TT bike is much older and doesn't have much tyre clerance, it also has disc brakes and the TT doesn't. I would like to have the better comfort of wider tyres and safer braking. On the other hand the TT bike has deep section carbon wheels and the road bike has shallower aluminium wheels so even with the clip on bars I think the TT will be faster. I notice that Heather cycled to a fixed power (200w) but was there a difference in heart rate between the runs?

[@Thargoyd]

I am in my 23rd year of triathlon and I have decided to buy a new bike since my current machine (Ridley Damocles) is 14 years' old and will used only for training . I am only doing sprint and Olympic distances but many races I do are quite hilly so getting the bike right is tricky. I am also looking to qualify for GB age group again so I am still unsure as to whether I should but a full Tri TT bike or road bike + clip-ons. After watching your vids, I am erring towards the latter. Any advice? Cheers Graham. P.S. Fab site btw, best in the sport!

[@WaffeleisenPrinz]

I can easy Pedal 50 Wattˋs more in the Triathlon Position . If testig it yesterday on the indoor Trainer. I have no aero Bars . I put my arms down on the Bar and seat on the last Point in front of the Saddle. Pedaling downwards / backwards . So i can use a other Muskular group to Pedaling. It feels easier to Pedal for short Distance / Segmentˋs of the Trip then the Dropˋs Position an geht easy ~ 50 Wattˋs free . Says the indoor Trainer ( Zwift ) I think i buy aerobars for my Road Bike an test it on the Road . I think ~ 50 Wattˋs for free + ab better aero Position on the Birke make definitely faster especially at speedˋs of 40 km/h Segmentˋs is a good aero Position very important.

[@lachlan_bakewell]

Dylan Johnson: I've made a video with concepts and ideas backed by scientific studies and research. GMBN, GCN & GTN: Don't mind if I do.

[@GrinderMagee]

Right, recumbent then

[@damu6678]

what's the computer mount on the aero bars?

[@heatherfell_oly]

Polar m460

[@jaydesimone4297]

Heather, did you adjust your seat position when you added the aero bars or was the bar addition the only change? This was a pretty interesting result but not surprising, really...if the drops or hoods were faster, no one would use aero bars.

[@heatherfell_oly]

I would normally change my saddle but as only a short stint I didn't on this occasion.

[@jaydesimone4297]

@@heatherfell_oly I wonder if adjusting the seat would have conveyed an additional advantage. I suppose it depends on how much adjustment you'd have needed, really.

[@KBoardss]

What glasses are those?

[@junalberca361]

Wow, almost 30kph at only 200 watts.

[@chrisgilligan4968]

Must have been quite a headwind, or a very substantial net elevation gain. 150 watts should get you pretty close to 30 kph on a fairly flat steady course.

[@karlbristow1223]

Am I the only one who just can't get with riding bikes with the brakes on the drops? I just can't on with that position, I could never be a pro rider!

[@renegadetenor]

No, same here. I never do anything highly technical while riding in the drops.

[@deepakkaul5813]

Can anyone tell which bike is this?

[@heatherfell_oly]

BMC team machine

[@andypcguy1]

Almost all my KOMs were achieved on the aero bars. Usually in the 300-350 watt range. Makes a pretty significant difference at higher speed.

[@robbandj]

Yeah dude i live in an area where the Swedish Ironman passes through and it's ridiculous how fast they go holding 300 watts. On a roadbike you gotta go full force if you're gonna get their KOMs while they just ride an even tempo.

[@raymondtomkins4153]

Great video. How about comparing 1. On the brake hoods 2. On the drops 3 on the aero bars at the same watts?

[@DCassidy42]

Clip-on aero bars don't actually clip-on, they require an allen wrench, and clipless pedals actually have clips... Make sense!

[@chrisgilligan4968]

lol - clip-on in the sense that they are not permanent like TT specific bars. The clipless pedals - that one is a mystery. I know it is relative to the old style pedals....but I wouldn't exactly call it "clipping" into those....so it was a pretty big leap to get to that nick name.

[@LarsRR]

What’s the wattage here. Sounds like 120 watts or so...

[@chrisgilligan4968]

She said at the beginning that she was going to try to hold 200 watts....which has me skeptical because 200 watts for any rider should be north of 30 kph.,,,unless it is a really hilly course with a fairly significant net elevation gain....she did say it was into a head wind.

[@heatherfell_oly]

It was spot on 200w for all three.

[@heatherfell_oly]

Chris Gilligan I certainly did. It was a little uphill but a strong headwind.

[@timvanmonero2720]

​@@chrisgilligan4968 i'm a dude with 123KG and if i crank 230Watts for an hour, i move like 29 avg. there is no chance that 200W for me is > 30kph unless it's backwind

[@SiliconEngineer]

Nice work, as always Heather. But without power numbers, these times are a bit meaningless.

[@hjkplanes]

She said she was going to hold 200W at the top of the video.

[@SiliconEngineer]

@@hjkplanes Oops, my bad

[@heatherfell_oly]

I think it’s been mentioned but yes I held 200w for all 3.

[@jtsblocks]

Aero bars because they’re...aero

[@Ni1zz]

isn't it obvious

[@FlauntitNatural]

I adore your video! Your video was suggested so I checked it out. Wanted to show support 💞 I run a channel too. If you have a moment to check it out that would be amazing! 💚

[@ninjashogun]

I have aerobars and I hate them with a passion... the added weight.. the lack of road confidence the transitioning time needed to use brake levels... just slows me down. Im taking them off im done with aerobars im going back to drop bars only.

[@skyekingdom0]

are they clip ons?

[@ninjashogun]

@@skyekingdom0 one of them is one of them isn't. Problem is the bike im using was made in 1991 specialized Alleze carbon tubes with a 1 inch steer tube custom carbon fork say what?! any added weight in the front completely throws off the bike. I would need a bike specifically built for aero bars

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

Heather rocking a rim brake bike in 2020. Please join us in the 21st century... disc brakes. :-)

[@lwittrock1]

1st again!

[@willhogarth9945]

Cheers - good vid - I'm just thinking of making a switch from my TT bike to an aero-road with clip-ons (I do a lot more hills these days) but think I will go SRAM clicks on the end for gear change

[@xGshikamaru]

Aerobars are awesome up to a point in terms of power. Once you get over a certain threshold it's harder to produce as much power in the aero position. For this reason it's harder to be fast at high intensity. I don't know how cyclists deal with it for short time trials (less than 10 miles)

[@mitchellatkins9701]

fun to watch!