Can I use clip-on aerobars on a TT bike?

vermooten
vermooten Posts: 2,697
edited October 2007 in Workshop
Hi,

I've got some clip-on tribars, Profile T2+ Cobra, for use on my road bike, and I'm thinking of building - or rather asking the very wonderful Paul Hewitt to build - a TT bike. Would bars such as these be used on a 'proper' TT bike?

All posts gratefully received!

Cheers,
Andy
You just have to ride like you never have to breathe again.

Manchester Wheelers

Comments

  • OnTow
    OnTow Posts: 130
    Depends on your meaning of "proper".
    I'm led to believe that even the pros do not use aero bars on their TT bikes, if the course is particularly hilly - There was a year in the TDF recently, when a lot opted no to bother.

    You're bolting them on to a set of proper TT bars, or just road bars?

    I would have thought any old aero bars would be OK.
  • vermooten
    vermooten Posts: 2,697
    Thanks OnTow!
    OnTow wrote:
    You're bolting them on to a set of proper TT bars, or just road bars?
    I hope to use them on a set of proper TT bars.... whaddyathink?
    You just have to ride like you never have to breathe again.

    Manchester Wheelers
  • blackhands
    blackhands Posts: 950
    No probs - one piece bars are very expensive - although can be bought s/hand.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    As said, there's no reason why you can't use clip-on aero bars with bull-horns for a TT bike, rather than very expensive, on-piece bars. One reason is lack of adjustability on some one-piece bars - unless you know exactly what stem length, width, angle, extension etc, it's better to ring the changes on some clips-ons etc. Equally, some one-piece bars are extremely heavy - e.g. Profiles weigh a proverbial ton in comparison to seperate bars and extensions from the likes of Deda. Unless you're spending more than about £300-400 on one-piece bars, they're not really worth the money IMO - a mate has some USE Tulas and thinks they're fantastic in comparison to the big lump of Profiles they replaced - nearly half the weight too. I use Easton Aeroforce carbon clip-ons - very light and very stiff.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • vermooten
    vermooten Posts: 2,697
    Great news thanks all!

    Andy
    You just have to ride like you never have to breathe again.

    Manchester Wheelers
  • aracer
    aracer Posts: 1,649
    It's only recently that people have been using one-piece bars. Before that everybody had separate low-pro base bars and clip ons, hence my 10 year old TT bike which I still use and which was built up with the best money could buy at the time has clip-ons (though since it did get used on hilly courses - up to 1 in 4 on some I rode - I'd probably have gone that way given the option anyway, as I have normal brake levers with hoods in almost exactly the same place as on my road bike for climbing).

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