Tri bars on a hybrid?
geebus
Posts: 50
I'd like to get some tribars for my Hybrid.
I do have a vague plan to a Triathlon next year, but this is separate to that - just to get a bit lower, but still keep the flat bars I've decided I prefer (I have had a CX bike in the past).
Anything to watch out for?
Any tri bars I should go for?
Bike is a Charge Scourer.
I appreciate that the riding position won't be ideal - I don't know how much of the time I'll really be using them for 'general' riding - probably just for steeper (down) hills etc.
I do have a vague plan to a Triathlon next year, but this is separate to that - just to get a bit lower, but still keep the flat bars I've decided I prefer (I have had a CX bike in the past).
Anything to watch out for?
Any tri bars I should go for?
Bike is a Charge Scourer.
I appreciate that the riding position won't be ideal - I don't know how much of the time I'll really be using them for 'general' riding - probably just for steeper (down) hills etc.
0
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Never used them and seen other reports of it being an excellent device to aid crashing at speed.
There's quite a lot of long downhills bits around here and I like trying to get that extra mph or two - and I've found often the sort of times I've been riding, a fair bit of straight no-traffic road. Potholes or at least 'undulations' are more of an issue, however.
I do plan on using my hybrid in a (road) triathlon as it goes ... but not too worried by that as a 'win' for me would be completing the race, rather than getting a good time against others with the right kit
Tempted to set a goal of doing the Ben Nevis MTB next year, but expect I'd still end up doing at least one road one on the way.
My hybrid has a standard road 'compact' gearing setup - so 50 x 11 max gear.
As for ridiculous looking, you should see the beard I'm currently sporting, never mind the rest of the clothes I typically wear! Unfortunately the picture isn't up at the moment, but the one and only CX event I entered, I was using a helmet that must have been from the early to mid 80s and visually had more in common with a toaster than a modern day cycle helmet!
Yeah, they are rubbish aren't they?
http://www.bikeradar.com/gallery/articl ... rd-22792/1
Had drops on a CX bike in the past - if money allowed it, I'd certainly consider something like a tricross to add to the stable, but a lot of other things to spend it on first. However, prefer flat bars for a lot of riding (we shall see how much I get in to it) and at the moment am having a bit of back-pain problems with sustained periods even on my hybrid bikes.
Tri bars place your elbows close, reducing the parachute effect. They make a huge difference to aero drag on a hybrid, even without going low.
Many flat-bar tourists use aerobars to provide some alt handhold. Most use smaller clip on bars, the larger, longer ones may make bike control more difficult.
You can also consider trekking/butterfly style bars.
Not always confortable.. and beware of handling.
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
At the NCC the other week I saw a bike with butterfly bars with bar ends sticking off them. It was amazing.
--Jens Voight
If you're getting back pain then there is almost certainly something wrong with your bike fit. I'd get that sorted first, ideally with tri-bars in place.
Personally though, I'd buy a road bike. Nothing says fail like tri bars on a hybrid. If you don't want to do that, then you'll probably gain more speed by upgrading your wheels, and running faster, narrower tires at at least 100psi.
2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX
2020 Canyon Inflite SL 7
On the Strand
Crown Stables
So you didn't look at my link? Andy Wilkinson holds 24h and 12h TT championships records, many of which are done on a hybrid with TT bars (and V brakes and suspension seatpost). Each of his wheels however probably cost more than my bike.
See: http://yacf.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=49102.0
However, having been riding around a bit, I am thinking I may go that way - or at least another CX/tourer etc at some point.
I suspect back pain (now separate thread) is either due to my own position or problems with my body - as I've had the same thing in the past with a too-heavy motorbike helmet on a leant-over-position bike.
I'm REALLY not bothered by what people think of me - it's unlikely you'll ever get me in to Lycra, what ever the advantages, for a start!.. which instantly puts me as 'fail' for the sort of person that would know tri bars on a hybrid is a bit weird.
Ok, maybe that suggests the exact opposite as far as being bothered - but that it's different people, or more realistically like most, myself that I'm trying to impress
Oh and I was liking your link(s) by the way Malx, that was the sort of thing I was thinking.
I've always like "the idea" of leaning on pads with my arms out front.
It sounds like the reality probably won't be nearly as good, but with cheap tri-bars coming in at around £20 on ebay, can't hurt to try it out I reckon.
(Until I fall off, when it will hurt, of course.)
I looked at your link, but don't see your point. Andy is clearly a v talented, v strong rider. Would beat us forumites on a BMX. For most people a roadike is gonna make a difference. It certainly did for me. I started out on a Hybrid...
Oh and aesthetically, it still says fail, champion or not.
Edit:
Also the bike in the post is being used for 12 hour TT's, not a Triathlon...
2020 Canyon Ultimate CF SLX
2020 Canyon Inflite SL 7
On the Strand
Crown Stables
This 'must get a road bike,as you'll upgrade from a hybrid' just simply isn't true for everyone. Given how hybrids vary so much anyway.
VOODOO CANZO
Come and see me at https://www.facebook.com/biketyke/
Did 20 miles. Wasn't really 'feeling it' and didn't use the tri bars too much thanks to my still-dodgy upper back and was worrying it might cause more problems.
However, they seemed to work ok. Had a strong head-wind and probably could done with using them more despite the relatively slow 'ground speed'.
Was a bit cautious with the steep down-hills, but did find a few bits to use the new bars on.
Because my bike's got tapered bars it was going to be a case of either really wide or really narrow. Might make something to hold them a set distance apart, which would mean I could fasten them on the tapers. However they don't feel too bad quite narrow with the arm rests angled in.
Definitely glad of the 34-34 low gearing for some of the steeper hills - was ok with that, but wouldn't have wanted to be much higher geared than that.
Have used them for a few long descents. Certainly being careful with use around other vehicles and bumps on the road.
But loving the "piloting a spaceship" kinda feel - yes, after being a mature child, my mental age has since been on a steady decline
This is how it looks:
Have now added some bar ends too for climbing and find the combination overall works really well for me.
.
They talk about hybrids with tribars here, by the way: http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... o-11-45066
In the end, for all out speed, not going near lycra and I can actually feel the wind pulling my current beard significantly if I turn my head sideways! And that's never mind my chunky £6.20 helmet.