Tri Bars and a question for Tunney

splurge

Hi Tunney,

You seem to have the low down on all things triathlon and cycling - maybe you can advise me.

I have just fitted tri bars to a conventional road bike.
Never cycled with tri bars before.
My first cycle with the bars was just over 90k, approx 50% of which was on the bars

Found the initial 'effort' quite different but couldn't quite identify the problem.

Found that within a couple of seconds of dropping onto bars, my general cadence increased and I needed to change down a gear - no problem there.

Amazed at how exposed (and bricklike) i felt as soon as I sat up out of the bars - didnt realise this before!

40k time of about 1:12 was about a minute or so quicker than the last time i cycled the same route in similar weather conditions - no problem there.

What I found was that as the cycle progressed, i had absolutely no strength left for the hills and that my calf muscles were much more tired than usual.

Overall time for 93k (3 hours) was about 1 - 2 mins slower than the last time I cycled the route under similar conditions without tri bars - a bit dissappointing - and much harder on the hills!.

I am wondering is this typical of a transition to tri bars ?

Do they use your calves more than sitting on the hoods and over time you just get used to it ?

or

Is it likely that the bike setup needs adjustment to accommodate the tri bars and associated positioning.

I feel myself that the tri bars ar a great addiiton, and they definately increase cadence (by a better aero position) and thereby increase speed and reduce 'initial' effort.

I am trying to shortcut a period of time where i am trying to get used to them - when somebody eventually says your bike setup is crap !

Thanks for reading the above - I know its a bit long winded - any advice would be appreciated.

Splurge

tunney

Not too bad, I saw the title and expected a question like "Why are you such a fvcking pr1ck Tunney and I'd like to stick these tri bars up you f*&king....."

If you have a road position that fits, sticking tri bars on without any other changes will probably mean that the bike does not fit when you are on the bars.

I'll do my best to address what I can below but what I would recommend would be taking a few photos of you on the bike, on a turbo. Side on. On the bars, in tight clothing (so people can see the angles properly and nothing kinky!!!). One with your foot at the 12 oclock position, one at the 6 oclock.

Stick the images up here and we can give more specific advice.

splurge wrote: »

Hi Tunney,

You seem to have the low down on all things triathlon and cycling - maybe you can advise me.

I wish! But I'll do my best

splurge wrote: »

I have just fitted tri bars to a conventional road bike.
Never cycled with tri bars before.

Tri bars can make a huge difference and a proper position can yield mostof the benefits of a tri specific bike. I've seen my road bike spank Cervelo P2cs, P3cs, Scott plasmas and Trek speed Concepts. Admittedly I wasn't the one riding it at the time

splurge wrote: »

My first cycle with the bars was just over 90k, approx 50% of which was on the bars

A long first ride, I'd have recommended something shorter!!!

splurge wrote: »

Found the initial 'effort' quite different but couldn't quite identify the problem.

Found that within a couple of seconds of dropping onto bars, my general cadence increased and I needed to change down a gear - no problem there.

Amazed at how exposed (and bricklike) i felt as soon as I sat up out of the bars - didnt realise this before!

There are many models out there that allow calulations of hoods versus drops versus tri bars.

The one I use (and its set up for continental road surface, my tyres and my positions) has the following speeds at 280 watts.

Bar tops: 32.3kph
Hoods: 33.7kph
Drops: 36.4kph

Huge difference there from hoods to drops. now onto the interesting one aerobars:

Aerobars: 39.2kph

Almostg 6kph for free...............

splurge wrote: »

40k time of about 1:12 was about a minute or so quicker than the last time i cycled the same route in similar weather conditions - no problem there.

What I found was that as the cycle progressed, i had absolutely no strength left for the hills and that my calf muscles were much more tired than usual.

The postion may not be ideal and lots don't like to climb in the aero position anyways. The calf muscles fatigueing suggests either the saddle is too high or your cleats too far forward.

splurge wrote: »

Overall time for 93k (3 hours) was about 1 - 2 mins slower than the last time I cycled the route under similar conditions without tri bars - a bit dissappointing - and much harder on the hills!.

I am wondering is this typical of a transition to tri bars ?

Typically - I don't know.

Done a little in the manner too much too soon - probably.
Should there have been other changes as well - probably.

splurge wrote: »

Do they use your calves more than sitting on the hoods and over time you just get used to it ?

or

Is it likely that the bike setup needs adjustment to accommodate the tri bars and associated positioning.

I do find I engage my calves marginally more on my TT bike. I do find I recruit slightly different muscles on my TT bike. (Going to be fun in frankfurt given I've ridden it once this year). Using different muscles, or the same in a different way is somewhat normal.

I would thing its a little from column A, a little from column B. Actually alot more from column B.

splurge wrote: »

I feel myself that the tri bars ar a great addiiton, and they definately increase cadence (by a better aero position) and thereby increase speed and reduce 'initial' effort.

I am trying to shortcut a period of time where i am trying to get used to them - when somebody eventually says your bike setup is crap !

Thanks for reading the above - I know its a bit long winded - any advice would be appreciated.

Splurge

My advice, take the photos and post them here. Or email them to me at tunney@gmail.com If I can help I will.

Dave

promethius

great thread, would be deadly if op could post up photos so we could all learn from it.

splurge

Hi Tunney,

Thank you for your quick and detailed reply and for taking the time to answer my query point for point. I won't tell you stick the tri bars up your a*** just yet

The photos would seem like the quickest way to a solution so I will get them taken and send them on to you.

Incredible difference in speed between drops and tri bars from your own bike - it would seem that it is well worth trying to optimise their position and the overall bike setup - speed for free is always a plus !!

I was really surprised at the instant increase in cadence, and imminent gear change that was needed just after i dropped onto the bars that I experienced - initially, with not being used to the bars, I was trying to be in the right gear before dropping onto them.

Chat soon.