Aerobars for new build question

Triathlon Forum
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I am getting a new frame and need new aerobars. Once I get the bike I will start training for my first IM, so the comfort is more important to me that speed.

Last year I had Profile Design T2+ aluminum and they were ok. However, after some reading I think I will be more comfortable with ski bent bars.
Another bar I was using before was Stryke, but it seems they are bent too much, and thought the bars are carbon, everything else felt heavy.

So I have a few questions:
Aluminum or carbon? Or combination? I am thinking to get separately carbon base and aluminum bars to save cost, or should it be carbon bars and alu base?

Then, the ski shape. Obviously, I cannot tell you what is my fit looks like while I am waiting for the frame, but what would be the “universal” (if I can call it this) shape that will fit most riders?

The size. My last aerobars base was 40cm, but my road bike has the handelbar size is 42cm. Neither size bother me to the point of noticeable discomfort, but should I stay with 40 or go for 42?

Weight. How important the wait? Should I same every gramm I can, or not?

Brand. I was using Profile Design, and it was ok. Should I look for something else? When I am asking about brand, I am also looking for cheap available spare parts, especially the replaceable pads.

And where to buy? I have checked some sites like amazon, trisports, - but the prices seems too high.

And finally the price. What should be a reasonable cost for the new aerobars?

Thanks for looking, and sorry if some questions sound silly.

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For their cost, the Zipp Alumina are probably my favorite bars. They are not overly expensive, but they have massive adjustability when combined with the armpad/extension spacers.

7 Likes
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Last year I had Profile Design T2+ aluminum and they were ok. However, after some reading I think I will be more comfortable with ski bent bars.
Another bar I was using before was Stryke, but it seems they are bent too much, and thought the bars are carbon, everything else felt heavy.

So I have a few questions:
Aluminum or carbon? Or combination? I am thinking to get separately carbon base and aluminum bars to save cost, or should it be carbon bars and alu base?

I just switched from a ski to S bend this week. In my research I found that the new profile mount for the carbon bars actually makes the combo 100grams (I think it was) more then the aluminum ones which still use the old mount. The new mount offers a lot more and easier adjustment but is clearly heavier. Even though many will say weight doesn’t matter on a tri bike, if there is no aero difference between the two materials might as well save money and go with the lighter one.

I happened to find a new take off set of the T2+ carbons that had the old mount for half what a boxed set would be so I saved money and they weigh less… win win for me.

Another thing to consider is your aluminum T2+ my have had amount that went to the base bar and a mount that went to the pads offering more adjustment for the pads. I think all the carbon ones have the pad mount directly to the basebar mount so there is no body weight on the carbon tubing, this does limit the fore and aft adjustment when using the carbon ones. For me on the road this is fine and the pads sit where I like them, however for some reason they seem too far out on the trainer compared to where i had them on my aluminum bars.

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I bought the Zipp Vuka Stealth aerobars for my P2 and my first impressions are “wow, amazing bars”. The integrated stem makes it look even better. I’m getting a bike rebuild and bike fit on April 4, so I will let you know my thoughts after we get the bars installed. I paid $1009 for the bars and used my Amazon store card with 1 year no interest financing to get them. It was a great deal and one I couldn’t pass up

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For their cost, the Zipp Alumina are probably my favorite bars. They are not overly expensive, but they have massive adjustability when combined with the armpad/extension spacers.

Yup. I have the full Alumina setup (with the “race” chicane-bend extensions) and they let me actually get comfortable on my bike, unlike the 3T that came on it.

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I looked up the Zipp Vuka Alumina and liked all the options they adjust.
But should I look for LOW or TOP mount? Or it depend on bars i will use?

If I understand it correctly the slightly bent ski bars will work well with LOW mount, correct?

I did not get a chance to see them in real life, have to make assumptions just by looking at internet pictures.

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There’s an app for that…literally. We created an online tool that’s also available as an iOS app that tells you how to set up Vuka Alumina or Vuka Stealth. Give it a try. http://www.zipp.com/support/vukafit/index.php
And yes, for the undermount, you will want to use ski tip extensions.

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Good link, thanks :slight_smile:
Need to wait when my frame comes in to enter all measurements

and, do you what is the best place to buy the Zipp Vuka Alumina Clips?
they are about $120, anywhere is a better price?

Thanks.

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You should be able to get frame stack and reach from the manufacturer’s website. Then I always suggest just using 10mm for a headset cap and 0mm spacers as a starting point. Everything else is from your current bike fit.
Unless you can find a huge discount, I always try to encourage people to support their local dealer/LBS.

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You should be able to get frame stack and reach from the manufacturer’s website. Then I always suggest just using 10mm for a headset cap and 0mm spacers as a starting point. Everything else is from your current bike fit.
Unless you can find a huge discount, I always try to encourage people to support their local dealer/LBS.

ok, it makes sense. :slight_smile:

What about the base bar width? Should it be 40 or 42?

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All of our basebars are 40cm C-C.

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I paid $1009 for the bars and used my Amazon store card with 1 year no interest financing to get them. It was a great deal and one I couldn’t pass up

I guess because you got 1 year no interest financing… it was like, free then?

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Yeah totally free…I mean who pays their credit card bills anymore? I had the store card, Amazon offered the free financing, and a bike store sold it to me. I mean, I did graduate college, I have 2 engineering degrees, and work for a living, why can’t I do what I want with my money?

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You can certainly do what you want. It is the “great deal” part that is conflated with 0% financing that I don’t understand.

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Alright, I’ll explain. Instead of losing $1009 out of my bank account right away, I get to keep my money and borrow GE Capital’s money at 0%. Since the payments for 1 year are not expensive at all, I consider it a good deal. Now if there was a ton of interest, than no, I would have just paid it up front. I prefer to keep my money and use other peoples money at 0% if I can

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I’d avoid the UCI legal bars and get something with greater ratio than the 3;1 mandated. A 4;1, or 6:1 can be found out there and they will be faster.

Ski tips seem to test faster. Comfort is good as well. I’d personally go with something more comfy for my long rides vs faster if the difference was a ton of drag. Everyone’s idea of a ton of drag is different though.

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Following advise of my fellow slowtwitchers I just bought Zipp Vuka Alumina Clips!!! I hope they will arrive soon :slight_smile:

Now, I am trying to figure out should I buy carbon or alloy bar extensions?

I will be looking for ski type, the price difference on ebay is about $30-40. Do carbon bars worth it?

Thanks

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18

The Zipp Alumina Race bars are inexpensive and very nice. I just put them on my new build with the Zipp Alumina Clip (top) and a Profile Design Prosvet base bar.

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I’d avoid the UCI legal bars and get something with greater ratio than the 3;1 mandated. A 4;1, or 6:1 can be found out there and they will be faster.

I’m having the same question as the original poster. Well except looking to upgrade an older existing al cockpit. I’m temped to just stick with Zipp products and throw a vuka stealth on. Which are these 4:1 and 6:1 bars that you speak of? I’ll check them out!

CC

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TriRig Alpha is a 6:1 ratio. It has a much larger airfoil than the Vuka Stealth but the Vuka Stealth has far more adjustability. At the end of the day, the fit matters more than the airfoil shape