All Cyclists Should Do This (But The UCI Screwed Us Over!)

[@gcn]

Do you use clip-on bars or will you after watching this video? 🧐

[@TouringTony]

I was thinking of installing them because I do endurance cycling. However today I saw this video and earlier in the day I proved how good my disk brakes are by nearly going over the top as I did an emergency stop on a British country road with large hedges and bends So not for me unfortunately

[@oplkfdhgk]

i have used them in the past and will use them in future. they are just so good on longer rides. also you can mount your brakes on the tt bars to solve the braking issue.

[@matt_acton-varian]

Yes, when occasion calls for it. I ride TTs on a Tri-modified aero road bike (can't afford a dedicated TT bike) and I also like to use them on solo epics.

[@blaze1148]

Use them on my heavy Eurobike for training - very comfortable position but I wouldn't use them in back lanes - not stopping quick enough for an on-coming tractor would not be a good look.

[@vladislav905]

I am doing long rides and bikepacking. Clip-on bars are great to rest your hands. When I didn't have them after 4 days bikepacking event I couldn't grab things with my fingers. Clip-on bars are essential for events like this in my point of view.

[@jonathanrobinson2628]

I commute 27.5km each way each day to work on very smooth, largely flat roads in Sweden. I put TT bars on my old Caadx and immediately saw a 2kph increase in speed. I now spend 80-90% of my commute in them. Wouldn't go back.

[@sean7456]

this is the way

[@cecio7453]

​@@pinky6863 That's more

[@TheLemon333]

1.2 mi.!! (: @@pinky6863

[@MarkARebuck]

i also have them on my commuter bike. for comfort as much as aero gains. i have mine on risers so my hip angle is identical to when i am on the drops. some folks think my bike looks silly, but it is soooo comfy i don’t care!

[@ScrapKing73]

I’ve commuted with aerobars for decades. Got my first set in the late 90s, if memory serves. I’ve gotten good enough with them that I can do turns with one hand on the aerobar and the other hand signalling the turn, while riding in traffic. Wouldn’t do a commute or a fitness ride without them!

[@Justin-zv4cm]

They are fantastic for touring as well. Even if they aren't faster while laden, the additional position and stretched posture make the miles fly by.

[@cameronreid8383]

Yeah this is the big reason so many people ride endurance things with bars. More body positions to shift around to, more places to put maps/lights/etc. I sometimes feel silly getting "aero" when I've got big fat panniers sticking off the sides of my bike, but it's so nice to shift some weight off my butt and wrists

[@ScrapKing73]

I’ve done touring with an aerobar, and they absolutely CAN make you faster while laden if you have the misfortune of suffering a bad headwind! :-) I wouldn’t do touring without one for that reason alone! Any other advantage is just a bonus, IMO. :-)

[@julianallen515]

@@cameronreid8383 "comfort sticks"

[@Justin-zv4cm]

@@ScrapKing73 Agreed, you get a speed boost for sure! All I meant is that I didn't set out to gain speed, just a different position. I convinced my fiance to try them on our last tour, and she is a convert. We both noticed the speed boost and increased efficiency right off the bat.😋

[@wackygochoco2009]

I put them on mine. Found a set with the flip up pads so I can still use the tops of the dropbars. Looks silly with a toddler seat behind me. But it sure helps when your hands start to hurt after all day on the saddle.

[@paulmorrison30]

It would be awesome if GCN would overlay the speed, power etc for these efforts on the screen so we can truly appreciate the what the rider is doing. That’s it and that’s all 👊🏾. I have severe spinal issues and I use these on my flat bar cyclocross bike and they make a world of difference 👍🏾

[@richardgate1571]

Aero bars are almost a default for Ultra riding and racing. The primary function is comfort and providing additional positions on the bike to relieve pressure on the hands. They are usually used with risers, again for comfort. The happy side effect is that even with risers, they are aero efficient and give a free speed boost for the same effort. They also allow for handy mounting points for Feedbag, GPS, phone etc and with electronic gears, additional shift buttons make staying aero easy.

[@billhulley]

I was out in the rural east of the Netherlands in the summer, saw quite a few people with stubby TT bars on quite upright Dutch bikes, even some e-bikes. I guess it makes sense riding into their famous omnidirectional headwinds.

[@ScrapKing73]

Adding aerobars to an e-bike makes all the sense in the world, as the faster you go the more advantage there is to being aero. I’ve got them on my e-bike.

[@sean7456]

@@ScrapKing73 That's been my experience too. Substantially faster and better range. On bad headwind days, I've seen differences of 30-40% on battery life from using my aerobars vs sitting upright on the flats.

[@gcn]

Interesting! Makes sense for those brutal head winds 💨

[@ScrapKing73]

@@sean7456 Yeah, on bad headwind days aerobars are a must (IMO). Now when it's a crosswind that's a different story, especially if it's a gusting crosswind. I find aerobars to be a must-have accessory, but you still want to be smart about when you use them. No different than being smart about when you're using the hoods vs. using the drops!

[@Shawn-pm9te]

I had a pair on my road bike when I commuted a breezy, flat 20 miles one way in San Diego for 15 years. They literally saved me days over that time. When I moved north and my riding became more recreational, I took them off as I prefer the handling and feel of the bike without them.

[@74_Green]

Got a set on my bike. The ability to change position, different hand positions is fantastic on long rides.

[@cneubert28]

One aspect is the long distance rider and comfort. Getting into a different position works so well when you are spending so much time on the bike.

[@gcn]

Very true. Also applies to switching up in and out of the saddle on climbs!

[@blockprojects]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking as well. It would be nice to have yet another position on long-hauls like PBP and LEL.

[@evansmith2279]

Been using these for over 30 years. They’re fast and comfortable, I love being able to take the weight off my hands and the side benefit is about 3 mph, ymmv.

[@gcn]

Comfort and speed! That is the perfect 👌

[@jonglass]

In a recent GCN video, someone mentioned that endurance riders tend to call them "comfort bars" because that's why they use them. Interesting how much nicer they are from multiple perspectives... Makes me wonder if it would be worth fitting them on my bike.

[@ScrapKing73]

They’re so cheap, with so many potential upsides, that I recommend them strongly.

[@gcn]

The likes of Mark Beaumont and Jenny Graham swear by them for long rides!

[@g.west2372]

Hell yeah... you dont need to hold your upper body weigth through your triceps and shoulders and can just sit down in your armchair, while pedaling along.... also used them for Z1 indoor riding in winter.... playing some forza horizon in the meantime, cause my hands were free 😀

[@ScrapKing73]

@@g.west2372That's genius! I used to also play Xbox when indoor training, but I had to get a recumbent trainer to do it. If only I had thought about using aerobars on a regular bike for that!

[@pittviper6320]

Nothing to do with this video but I got stopped in my tracks before. I witnessed the infamous eurobike for the very first time! Locked up against a railing. It definitely has character. I was in cycle awe of it!

[@gcn]

👀

[@TryboBike]

Damn you GCN. I was just making video on the same subject! I was 7% faster overall with TT extensions.

[@gcn]

Sorry! 🙈 Good we found similar results though!

[@johnlieto8906]

Well done Conner, safety concerns are the big issue of me and the use case, dont need the extra speed :)

[@ukaszdropik2728]

Dabbling in triathlon without buying specific triathlon bike makes them useful. The thing is it is more and more difficult to find modern road bike with round handlebars (aero cockpits are destroying clip on aero bars market)

[@doctorno1516]

I have used clip-on TT bars on my Endurace in the past and will use them again when training for the national TT champs for amateurs. I love the look of my blacked out bike, with aero wheels and the TT bars - kinda looks like a fighter jet.

[@gcn]

Have you submitted it into the Bike Vault on the GCN App? 📲

[@doctorno1516]

@@gcn I haven't! Can't reveal all my secrets;)

[@JaccoSW]

I've been contemplating them for on my touring bike. When I am on a multi-day tour I will often do 100-160km (60-100 mi.) a day with bags and as CyclingAbout has shown, aero makes more of a difference than weight. And I've noticed a significant difference in speed and effort between the classic rack+pannier Vs. bikepacking bags for the same volume on days like that.

[@KarlOnSea]

When I saw the title, I thought this was going to be about the 1934 ban on recumbents...

[@ScrapKing73]

Most of the safety concerns with aerobars disappear if you make even semi-reasonable decisions about when you use them! Don’t use them near intersections or in other potentially tricky situations. Do use them on long straightaways. That kind of thing.

[@fabioqueiros9322]

Exactly. Once you know the roads (and that’s easy for commuters), you can pick and choose where the bars are useful and where they’re more trouble than helpful

[@Digitalbath570]

Clip-on bars conner's gateway drug into triathlons @GTN

[@daredemontriple6]

I've got clip-on bars and I find that actually, in the city at least anyway, the biggest advantage they offer is a few extra positions to help keep the joints loose and the soreness at bay. You can hold the arm-pads and it's a more relaxed upright position which is nice after a tough climb! Living in the UK I'm often too wary to use the TT bars as intended because of the condition of our roads, however out on country lanes which are in better condition and less trafficked, they're a lot of fun!

[@john_7986]

I also like the idea of auxiliary brake levers on the aero bars for safety. Maybe a "U" shaped bar, or a U lock bar

[@ScrapKing73]

It can be done with a cable-activated brake, but I don’t know of a way to do it with a fully hydraulic brake.

[@wackygochoco2009]

There is a GRX interruptor. But that would be a wild cabling job.

[@markjthomson]

I use clip on bars and ride long distance endurance rides. They are primarily for comfort, but they also provide about 10% improvement in speed... not to be sniffed at.

[@alastairmerrill9349]

@gcn you should probably remind people that whilst it's fine to clamp these to a round alloy handlebar, you definitely shouldn't be fitting them to a carbon bar, and unless they have a suitable bracket, they won't fit aero and other non-round bars. Definitely not safe riding in a group as you made clear, but also not safe to use if there are side roads, junctions, traffic, pedestrians or other potential hazards that require you to cover your brakes.

[@aa999xyz]

I put those on my mountain bike in the late 1980s absolutely amazing and was passing up road bikes! 2 inches solid wide tires@90 psi 2 additional water bottles never did get some lighting on the very front of them?Being a hard tail firmly mounted rack with solid aluminum bars enough to be my second seat after dropping down the other one! 40+ miles an hour or so just wish my brakes were that good no disc brakes were spoken of at this time! In southern Arizona this bike at five water bottles frozen the night before three fourths of the way full top out in the morning and they were all put in stocks to insulate to some degree. With temperatures of 115° or so during the summer you find different ways to keep yourself cool

[@ericcoxtcu8037]

I have aero bars on my gravel bike (which doubles as my commuter bike) with SRAM wireless blips. I love them both for speed and, on really long gravel rides, to give another position for comfort.

[@richlijacanacua]

This can also provide relaxation on the back, just like you are leaning on the bar with good position to the legs for acceleration in pedaling the cranks plus more aerodynamics position and the center balance of gravity on riding on top of the bicycle whole body. Excellent idea to sprint the speed of the bike!

[@paullubbers939]

The cinelli bars.. Of course i used them. Who didn't, in the 90's?! They where great!!

[@Esperluet]

Spinaci

[@OsloCyclist]

For commuting and touring they are also great for attaching lights, a camera, the phone, an electronic horn, in addition to the forementioned.

[@mikemowett7401]

The camera angle made him look like he's going very fast. At the 11 minute mark he mentioned a speed of 54 kph, but it looks like 125 kph. Kudos to the camera (wide angle, low to the ground) really made it look fast and enjoyable to watch! Personally I love bolt on aerobars, been using them for over 35 years.

[@Medic23451]

Wow I am impressed by how good your position on the clip on bars looks. My main problem is that fitting clip on bars to a normal road bike seems to severely compromise either of the two positions. I guess your professional background and better flexibility really shows here.

[@jacksonbahm9731]

My weekend group ride is almost all TT bikes and there’s never any safety concerns. If you ride them regularly you learn when to be in aero and when to be up on the brakes. Also team time trials on country roads is insanely fun

[@johne7100]

Used them for a few years on solo rides, loved them. Took them off when I was doing a lot of group rides, never put them back again.

[@dankerman321]

Added them to my road bike when I started doing triathlons... instantly added 1 mph. Eventually bought a used Cervelo P3 with aerobars all ready fitted... added another 1 mph. All these small gains are adding up so now I can keep up with the fast riders in my training group.

[@MrDazP1adv3ntures]

I found 2 mins on a local 20 mile loop in the Pennines with my tri bars. They give you free speed but they are not safe in reality if you are in traffic. I put them a Marin hardtail mtb for the road and they were great fun

[@angelicoluigi3735]

To be honest, it’s quite hard to talk that much when you’re busy pedaling along road catching the speed you need. Thanks for being a nice and cool presenter with the gang. One more for the road bro!

[@craighoover1495]

I used to use clip on bars but that was back in 1987 to 1995 or so. I recognized the danger of them and only used them when I had a long boring straight stretch of road where I wanted to hide from the wind. I never had a mishap of any kind because of using them. Eventually I think I considered the weight of them to be a disadvantage and peeled them off and stripped down my bike as best I could to save weight (bull horn bars, little tiny brake levers--still used downtube shifters then). Alas, as I aged I figured on just being a normal, everyday run of the mill cyclist and am now riding a traditional set up. Adverse winds will just make me stronger.

[@gcn]

Great to hear that you've tried them out! Do you think you would ever go back to clip on aero bars? Maybe for long rides?

[@kylixchi]

you also forget that Spinachi bars were banned, because of the number of crashes that were happening in the peloton.

[@whatwelearned]

Massive speeds from our man Conor there, thanks partly to the Pog Tuft (tm)

[@trist_ch4341]

I use that type of TT bars when i need to train with low watts on a big ride, it helps my back to maintain that low position you have in races!

[@aveedub7403]

I used to use them in my time trial days before they were banned, then on training rides. Times improved. Then for health reasons fell outta the sport and sold my best bike attached to which were the tri bars! After watching this video im tempted to buy another set for my latest bikes, subject to them being suitable for carbon bars! 🙂🙂🙂

[@markbooth6745]

Brilliant video Conor, yes tri bars were a game changer in tts. You can save minutes. Still use them today, only on my tt bike. And they are clip ons.😃👍

[@scottburkettmichael8696]

His name is "Conor," not "Connor."

[@johndef5075]

I used them on a couple centuries. They definitely help. You just have to be smart about where you use them.

[@cmdrx5099]

I would consider it but make some adjustments to length and place extra brake levers on them. On my cheap second hand Scattante road bike I bought, I had replaced the chains, tires & serviced. The bike came with extra brake levers on the handle bars. It’s great especially when I get tired & just want to hold the middle to rest or go faster in a straight away road.

[@dylanhunt5368]

That lock of hair sticking out of the helmet is a rather peculiar choice of fashion. It is absolutely mesmerizing.

[@lyellharrington7260]

Still use the clip on tt bars on my bikes or the wide mounting lights bar set up as a mini tt bar for my long night commute rides, sure saves the body extra energy for the head wind sections, given enough riding time in the tt bars tucked position you can actually handle the unexpected stuff road wise with more ease than you would expect while in the tucked position, in a group ride hell no but as solo sweet as.

[@hisdadjames4876]

Thanks Conor. Pretty convincing advantage, assuming they are used judiciously. I think Ill go for it…just got to find oval brackets suitable to fit my existing ‘aero’ bars.

[@abrickman7924]

Used clip on bars back in my triathlon days. I haven’t used them lately but was considering it for comfort, I would only use them when riding solo though, not in a group ride.

[@justittude1524]

I have TT bars, have had them on my bike for 2yrs, i do long rides and they are just wonderful in long rides, you get to relax your whole body and there is a zone you get into and before you know it, you're gone and the miles have just been chewed up. Yes it takes time to get used to them especially on descends, but if you're careful, you will enjoy your riding. It's cause of my TT bars i have not moved to flat aero bars for my roadie.. TT bars for life...

[@bikeanddogtripsvirtualcycling]

i used to love using my clip on bars several years ago when I had to commute to work as my commute was just over 20k flat and then another 15k undulating (and then the reverse on the journey home). used to love that feeling of speed. when i first got them though it still took a good week to get used to them, with one hand on the tri bar and one on the hoods until gaining the confidence to go all in. really good for longer rides too just to give you another position for your body.

[@karelvandervelden8819]

Do not forget they slow you down if you hardly use them on a ride. (But with headwinds in a climb I can use them too.)

[@wmigdal]

I ride with aero bars all the time, but I do not ride in groups. If a do ride in a race with a lot of people, I do not ever draft off anyone. I also focus on riding/racing long endurance events, so I need every watt saving I can get.

[@wallacegrooms7791]

Bound to stir the pot with this video. Show up to a club ride with a pair and you will be shunned. As a solo commuter, out in the country with little traffic tt bars are a game changer. You really need to practice and maybe make some adjustments to the bike. Yes, I am quite pro tt bars but only in safe solo conditions.

[@JohnMFlores]

Big thumbs up to the film crew on this one. Great framing and sense of speed!

[@gcn]

Thanks John!

[@tomashornyak6987]

I fitted my bars with Sram wireless shifters. Now I can stay longer in the bars and ride much more comfortably with shifting without moving my arms…now I dont know how could I lived without this…=)

[@jacobcampbell2837]

tt bars and the cane creek computer mount is an elite combo!

[@TexasNightRider]

I'm an old cyclist and find my clip-on bars really help with speed and and when riding with a stiff headwind. I find them to be very comfortable. The bars also give me seven points of contact with the bike. Wouldn't ride without them.

[@meibing4912]

Have used TT bars for 15 years. Love them. Got a new aero bike with flat bar top - and have no idea how to get TT bars on it... 😪

[@russellmoore1533]

Back in 1995 I was peeved when ACP banned tri bars for PBP that year, yet allowed all other types of aero 'bikes' etc. So I added a handlebar bag which just happened to have a concealed grab bar in the front of the bag which could be pulled up or down when needed, it passed tech inspection at the time.... Now I have a single aluminium tube shaped as per your tri bars, clamped under the handlebar stem, I just intertwine my fingers around the end, half the weight of the double set up.

[@jamesrosar3823]

Sounds rather clever! I’ve found that I can use a longer and narrower handlebar bag to drape my hands over, and I customized some thick foam triangles fitted over the bars as my forearm rests, and it works great for me!

[@johngretton8543]

For every day, group and club rides no, but a few years back when i decided to try TTs and wanted to see if I enjoyed it before investing in a TT bike, I used Clip on bars. Obviously faster but they do lead to TT addiction and spending money on a TT machine. I have now kicked the addiction and occasionally do a TT in the road bike category.

[@ABD5667]

He said holding the bars in the "puppy paws" position is now illegal. I remember many years ago there were road bikes which had 2 sets of brake levers, the main ones in the down bar part and a second set on the horizontal central part

[@carlosflanders518]

Cross top levers. They were popular on cross bikes for a while (when you want to shift weight back while descending) and are very useful for commuting when you want to sit up and have a better view of traffic - especially when starting off after stop signs and lights. I think you can get hydraulic ones for GRX.

[@rangersmith4652]

Super narrow bars with no brakes levers are for time trialing and triathlons, where there are usually no big, tight groups. Last year I bought a used bike that came with a triathlon setup, brakes on the flats and shifters on the skis, and I tried riding it. Honestly, I didn't even feel comfortable on them all alone--just too narrow to give a sense of control. Besides that, they're heavy and they add complexity. I bought a set of 40cm drop bars and brifters, and I'm waiting for a rainy day to make the swap. I have no further interest in using these bars, but they might make an interesting piece of wall decor.

[@declanbroderick4453]

I have them on my Canyon Aeroad that I commute with. I use them maybe 50% of the way. Can't use them in town. Great for speed (10% faster 33 kph v 30kph), TT practice also. Cons: braking, changing gears, cross winds, group rides

[@simonalexandercritchley439]

Have used them since the 90s on road and road commuter bikes mostly solo but tricky in groups. On my TT of course also on my 29er mtb hard tail set for comfort,much quicker to and from the trails!

[@X2Broster]

I believe that everyone should use clip on bars. The position is more ergonomic and avoids hand problems. Hands, arms and back can rest.

[@JMach-pg1ig]

I do triathlon but also general cycling, I just leave em on its no big deal to just not use them if your climbing or in a group, easier than taking them off.

[@brannmacfinnchad9056]

I do use them on one of my commuter road bikes. Makes my commute so much more comfortable, and a little faster. I don't get in that position in downhills, or on more main roads. Still working up to putting them on my nice bike...it's a lot more twitchy than my commuter.

[@SupGaillac]

I tried it once for my commute (~15km). Unfortunately, there's too much crossings and portions with shared use with pedestrians to be used .. and thus useful.

[@smuttyrutty]

I put a set on my turbo bike. On long Zwift rides it was nice to just stretch out and get a slightly different position. As others have said its for comfort (not going to get any extra aero indoors!)

[@believerscc]

I had a hoop style on my 87' Cannondale and loved it. Dropping to my down tube shifters was a pain either way. Now I have an Ordeal TT bike. I've heard about the safety issue and had a few pucker moments myself. Surely there is a way to mount two sets of breaks to the bike. With e shifting, I could see that working out so you can shift on the skis or hoods.

[@edwarddonghi1471]

I have a pair of longish end bars on my mountain bike but in the middle, I only sue them uphill and on the flat but they seem to make quite a difference into the wind and I can tie things to them. Maybe on road bike electronic brake calipers, sure could be a good thing for the bike industry!

[@Darioman365]

I have the vision 4d bars which the tt bars bolt through the bar. I love them on my road bikes. For me its not always about the speed. It's just a nice comfortable way to ride. And on cold days it's surprising how much warmer it. I don't use them in the group. Will do up front if people are ok with it. But unfortunately not even allowed to have them fitted on your bike for club runs. So i just meet up for coffee. As for safety. It does make you possible plan ahead a bit more. You have to use your common sense. Just cause they are fitted doesn't matter you have to use them all the time. I will also keep one arm on the bars and one cover a brake in some situations.

[@oplkfdhgk]

you should also use tt helmet with these. it helps even more.

[@willgibbs7754]

I have them on mine...I mainly ride solo and endurance type ride, so I use them 50-75%of the time.

[@bikeon143]

When I had finger fusion surgery I put on bars and fell in love with riding with them, they save my wrist and I haven't taken them off.

[@davet003.5]

Gravel riding into a strong headwind, my friend in the drops was doing 40W more on his power meter than me (200W) on my aerobars. Side by side, straight road but different power meters - semi scientific.

[@KWBZoersel_IH]

I use them on my gravel bike for commuting and for joining gravelrides. The road to and back is much faster with these and also it is a way to relax on the bike. It is an extra position on the bike and you can rest with the ellbows on the bars, so you can recuperate from the steering and manouvring on the bike. Never want without them anymore. On grouprides on the racebike, I don't use them for safety reasons

[@stevezodiac491]

I have time trialled in races with my Trek Speed Concept all out TT bike and a Cannondal system six with vision mas 'clip on' TT bars bolted to the top of the normal vision drop handlebars attached to the cannondale system six. Although the speed concept was very slightly faster, there wasn't much in it between the two bikes at all, over several TT races. By the way, you can hear the electric motor on the camera operator's bike.

[@stevewindisch2882]

I get justifiably scared when someone rolls up to a high speed group ride with clip-ons, but I highly recommend them for extended touring. Even if you're not trying to set any records, they're really nice to have on the days when you have strong headwinds.

[@cruachan1191]

I'm not riding at a high enough speed for long enough for them to make a difference to me, but I can see the appeal on long endurance style rides, like Ollie mentioned in his recent Tour Des Stations video just having that different position and being able to relax the arms and upper body a bit would help.

[@ScrapKing73]

You don’t necessarily need to be going very fast for them to make a difference. If you’re going 30 km/h and suffering a 20 km/h headwind, that’s like riding at 50 km/h in still wind.

[@256shadesofgrey]

If braking is a concern, it should be fairly easy to have a 2nd lever on hydraulic brakes with a Y splitter. That could then be put onto those TT bars.

[@oplkfdhgk]

Yes true. Or you could mount front brake on TT bars and rear brake on normal bars. Why this way? Cus you want better brake on the bars that are faster.

[@Joe-wk9ow]

That is what I was thinking. maybe you can paten the idea.

[@kokonanana1]

@@oplkfdhgkTT bars with brake lever for front wheel. Good way to go over the front in a panic stop!

[@oplkfdhgk]

@@kokonanana1 I haven't had that issue. It's not that hard to learn that you shouldn't press the brake as much when using TT bars.

[@rasmuswi]

In the Netherlands I saw loads of people riding with aero bars on their everyday commuter bikes, usually pointing pretty much at the sky. I guess they just find it comfortable, it didn't seem like a very aero way to use the bars. But the bars weren't originally designed for speed, they were invented by triathletes who wanted to rest their tired arms arfter the swim!

[@salzhaltigersalzhaufen586]

I mainly use my TT bars for bikepacking and really long rides like 200+km to either keep my handlebar bag in place with an extra velcro strap and to get a different hand and body position

[@djiembefolaDan]

I ride solo mostly, and use them judiciously. They add 1-2 mph easily.

[@ghowell13]

Those day-glo shoes are everything❤

[@Maxl14]

Use them for long distance originally for comfort to relax the hands and wrist. I did note a significant increase in speed …

[@martinandcarolyn]

I use them for long distance Audax and Ultra events mainly to add comfort & take weight off my hands but never when I'm just riding / commuting

[@williamforbes7156]

for an everyday item you'll need some creature comforts having the ability to rotate the elbow cubs up and out of the way would be game changer! but the bars in the vid aren't aero so losing hand/climbing restate to ski bar pads is a deal breaker for me. well that and the cost.

[@cb6866]

Thanks Conor ....I'd need clip-on training wheels as well , OAF here , bud !

[@Shadwhand]

Using them on my ultradistance bike with plenty of stack for comfort. Actually would be a cool video for you guys to do - does stack significantly slow you down on aero bars?

[@toshman696969]

you are kidding right....of course you will be less aero. that is why all aero bikes have a low stack to begin with and its assumed you will run 0 spacers...

[@sean7456]

Depends. If you look at modern TT riders or even race winning triathletes, most are running decent stacks. A higher and narrower position seems to be increasingly common, since it gives you more room to breath (and generate power) and sometimes even IMPROVES your Cda. Just look at the positions: old school riders ran super flat positions, almost no one does that at a high level anymore.

[@andrewmcalister3462]

Some riders can definitely make the "high hands" mantis position work for them. Also, in the context of your ultradistance bike, the fastest position is the one you can sustain. A very low position might be fast for a 10 mile TT, but if it is causing you back pain/discomfort, it's not going to be the fastest over a double century.

[@aethylwulfeiii6502]

I’ve always found high stack to be extremely uncomfortable.

[@soda1264]

Rode about 10k km on them this year, couldn't imagine riding without them!

[@gcn]

What's the terrain like where you ride?

[@soda1264]

A mix of hilly and flat on good austrian roads.

[@dominikinimod]

My average speed increased by 2 km/h and I use them most of the time, even on climbs. Don't need drops any more. They're so much fun.

[@Parabler]

lightweight hydraulic brake levers on those TT bars that attach to the normal brake line with some kind of t connection would make it a bit safer enough to lift the ban probably

[@KeshuanBln]

Just came back from a bikepacking vacation spend most of my days my arms in aero position without the special bars on it and the benefits from relaxing the upper body the whole day are imense. See why it is a safety concern but looking at stuff like endurance races aerobars are definitly a go to when u spend 20+ hours on a bike a day.

[@richardclinker813]

I have a cheap set on my winter/touring/commute bike which is a cheapo hybrid. Also have mtb bar ends on it. On my road bikes, I go puppy paws occasionally. Wouldn't fit aero bars on my road bikes.

[@smefour]

Two things, one more option to changing positions on long rides for comfort, and if this is your go to position it is possible to add brake leavers to these bars

[@huntos83]

An important consideration is how much you use them when fitted. Yes they are more aero when you are using them, but actually having them on the bike and not using them is less aero than leaving them off. If you are only using them for a small proportion of your ride then they may not be a benefit or even a negative. But if you use them a decent amount the advantages are there.

[@super8hell]

I see grotesque positions people keep on the tri bars attached to the road bike, city bikes even. Tri bars are either too far (obree style) or too low (early tony martin style). My road bike fit is pretty incompatible with comfortable tt position.

[@ELMARIACHI13]

Interesting,and,informative video,Conor.However I`d give the TT Aero Bars a big miss.They don`t give the bike a good look,and I don`t think I`d insult my Orbea by putting them on my handlebars,but every cyclist has their own likes,and,dislikes,so I can respect that.Nice Orbea you`re riding by the way.😀👍🚴🚴‍♂🚴‍♀

[@galenkehler]

If you're running deeper wheels, TT extensions can make you safer in crosswinds by adding stability to your steering.

[@andrewmcalister3462]

It does need some experience in that position to get that crosswind stability. First few times in the crosswind can be terrifying.