Gallery
Triathlon Bar set up.
The best position for tri bars is level with the ground, although you do
need to be comfortable with them, tilt them slightly pointing upwards to pull against may help.
Fit them on as soon as you get them and even sit on the turbo easy spin and ride in the aerodynamic position.
If you cannot ride in the triathlon bar position for more than 2 minutes it means you need more practise or you are not comfortable.
You should be able to look ahead if you cannot adjust them so you can.
Why fit Tri Bars?
They will allow you to go further, help you go faster by saving energy so saving time and make you aerodynamic but only if fitted correctly.
What to look for
When riding on the Tri-bars your back should be flatter
You should be lower on the triathlon bars than when riding in the drop handlebar position.
Tri bar fitting
Never use tape around the handle bars to avoid them being damaged as this will stop the tri bars being clamped securely and they will slip under pressure.
Before finally tightening make sure each tri bar extension is the same width apart and same angle.
Once you get use to using the triathlon bars you may consider lower the handle bars to make you even more aerodynamic.
Triathlon bar position before venturing on the road.
Fit them half shoulder width, not too close (restricts your breathing) or too far apart unstable to ride and not aero.
Aim to be safe at all times, keeping your arms not too close together or too far apart.
The purpose of fitting Tri Aero Bars is to reduce drag by making your frontal area smaller. Getting into the aero position rather than sitting up helps you cut through the air easier for the same effort allowing you to be fresher for the run after.
Make sure you do not clamp the gear and brake cables when attaching triathlon aero bars. You need to be comfortable otherwise you will not be safe and unable to stay in an aerodynamic position. Moving about creates drag aim to keep still.
80-90% of our resistance against the air is from the rider not the bike and equipment.
Best suited for.
Triathlon bars were first thought best for loner triathlons like middle and Ironman events especially flat straight courses when you could stay in the tucked position for long period of time. Changing hand position on hilly courses using the Tri bars when safe to do so will make you quicker even with the extra weight of the bars.
What to look for when buying triathlon bars for your bike?
Adjustability
They need to be adjustable, sometimes you may want to change them slightly for different courses and longer events (comfort)
Weight
The more you pay expect the triathlon bars to be lighter.
Stiffness
The stiffer the Tri bars are the better feel of the front end of the bike.
Pads
See if they can be adjusted for width and angle so your forearms can rest without hurting and allow a relaxed comfort position.
Top end tri bars allow the gear shifter cable to be routed thru the tri bar extensions.
Some are more designed for climbing than others when choosing bars make sure you consider this when you make your purchase.
Avoid
Make sure you don’t have an acute bent wrist angle. Imagine you arms are resting on the arms of an arm chair.