When paired with a tri-specific saddle , clip-on aero bars , [road bikes] can really have an impact on speed and endurance. Adjustability is the name of the game with clip on bars, and we want to use a bar that is adjustable in every direction. Two nice bars for this purpose are the Zipp Vuka Alumina Sram.
Both of these clip-on bars allow independent adjustment of the extension from the arm pad and allow you to move the arm pad around in all three directions. If you are going to be spending a lot of time using aero bars, you should most certainly consider the saddle that you will be sitting on, as Murray points out.
Riding in the aero position for a long period of time may require a saddle change since your hips will likely be rotated a bit further forward than you are used to, and road bike saddles will put too much pressure on your perineum.
This can lead to genital discomfort, numbness or more serious issues. Before you start wrenching, consider your typical riding environment and just how far you want to take this conversion. Setting up a bike for race day is one thing, but you also have to ride it many more times in the months leading up to the race. There are essentially two ways to transform your road bike to be more tri ready—a mild conversion or a more extreme one.
The simplest way for a road bike to be better optimized for a triathlon would be to leave the road bike positions the same and adjust the aerobars to allow them to complement your road bike position.
This would give you another position to rest your upper body if your arms get tired, and it would allow you to ride slightly more aerodynamically. If you live in a busy area and find it hard to ride your bike far and away from others, then this is for you. If you are an unsure bike handler, then this is definitely for you as well.
Your shoulder angle should be at about 90 degrees when this is done correctly—minimizing the amount of muscular strain in your arms needed to support yourself.
With a mild transformation like this, you will also probably need to add risers between the aero bars and the handlebar itself in order to keep your hips open through the top of the pedal stroke—this not an afterthought and will actually make a big difference when done correctly.
Most aerobar brands make horse shoe shaped spacers which are used for this purpose; though the set up can be a little time-consuming, again, this is very much worth it. If you have tight hips, you may need a large stack of spacers to ride comfortably.
If you do plan to use the aerobars for any extended period of time, a tri-specific saddle is a must. If you are on the daring side, you can try a bit more of an extreme conversion to your road bike to make it almost as good as a tri bike. A more extreme conversion will undoubtedly alter the way the bike handles however—and not for the better. Find a saddle that feels best for you—some tri-specific shops will let you try various models on a fit bike in the store.
Position the aerobars. The location of the aerobar grips and elbow pads have a significant impact on fit. Get a professional fit before picking your new aerobars to find a pair that allows your body to sit in your preferred position rather than contorting to accommodate the bars.
Adding aerobars also has several subtle influences on position, and a good bike fitter will address those subtleties to ensure comfort. Other tri gear questions: What are triathlon-specific shoes? Tri-specific running and cycling shoes are versions of their single-sport relatives adapted for quick transitions. Why aerobars? The sizing is a little odd, so we strongly recommend ordering at least a half size up, and the break in took a little longer than some other shoes.
Finally the build quality felt robust, but the construction and the low price tag means durability might be a little bit of a question mark. Like a couple of the other shoes in this roundup, the Regime is technically a road cycling shoe, but because of its BOA ratcheting system and heel-to-toe ventilation it works for tri just fine.
In fact, the ventilation was so good that our testers found it to be an excellent pair for indoor riding—not just the road or tri. This road cycling shoe with velcro closures acts as a great basic, entry-level pair with a full-mesh exterior for ventilation.
It also accepts all types of cleats with its extra insole hardware great for those who may still be tinkering with pedal choices. Our testers liked the thermobonding that eliminated iffy seams, and the customizable fit that the three velcro straps accommodate, but they had some issues with rattling and extra hardware removal when used with Speedplay pedals.
The plastic outsole helps save money, but it can also give up some responsiveness and cause an unstable surface when walking. This is a great first pair when getting into clipped-in cycling, but for more experienced triathletes, you may want to spend a few more bucks. Aside from the high price, this is a near-perfect long-course triathlon cycling shoe. Read the extended review.
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