tribars experience

DeF said:

Yesterday I went for my first ride with tribars
fitted. I've got a few impressions and wondered
what other folk thought of them. I got them 'cos
the only "racing" I'm doing is the occasional TT.

Adjusting the length is tricky. I wasn't sure about
where my arms should rest on the pads so I looked at
heaps of photos in my bike mags to see where the pros
put theirs. The answer is anywhere from just behind
the wrist up to the elbow. Hmm, that didn't help all
that much. I've got them set up so that the center of
the pads are about 6" from my elbow. I feel a bit too
stretched out though - might have to shorten the extensions
a little more (needs a hacksaw).

On the tribars, the bike is more difficult to control. I
don't feel comfortable using them if there are cars around.
At the moment, my thighs hit my gut (which is too big) so
position is still not right. Maybe raise the entire
handlebar ensemble a bit.

Not a very scientific test but I reckon on the flat, I get
about an extra 2-3kph when on the extensions - basically
went up one gear. Just need to get to the stage where I
can stay on them for more than a few minutes at a time.

When not on the tribars, I don't like having these things
sticking out the front - they interfere with my peripheral
vision of the front wheel.

We'll see how I go in the next TT Sunday week. Kings Park
so with the hill, maybe they won't make much difference.

Cheers,
Duncan.

Apparently I do my tri-bars all wrong. They are so comfortable I could
fall asleep in that position. I reckon this is a good thing for someone
who wants to do IM. I don't often use them in traffic and never in
bunches (there's a reason we have that 7m rule) but once they saved my
life, when a truck side mirror skimmed about an inch above my helmet.
(Being on the drops would've done the same job, I'm sure.) They feel
really good for wider corners but I don't descend on them.

Tam

DeF said:

On the tribars, the bike is more difficult to control. I
don't feel comfortable using them if there are cars around.
At the moment, my thighs hit my gut (which is too big) so
position is still not right. Maybe raise the entire
handlebar ensemble a bit.

you really shouldn't use those thing in traffic, thats just asking for
trouble

DeF said:

Yesterday I went for my first ride with tribars
fitted. I've got a few impressions and wondered
what other folk thought of them. I got them 'cos
the only "racing" I'm doing is the occasional TT.

Adjusting the length is tricky. I wasn't sure about
where my arms should rest on the pads so I looked at
heaps of photos in my bike mags to see where the pros
put theirs. The answer is anywhere from just behind
the wrist up to the elbow. Hmm, that didn't help all
that much. I've got them set up so that the center of
the pads are about 6" from my elbow. I feel a bit too
stretched out though - might have to shorten the extensions
a little more (needs a hacksaw).

On the tribars, the bike is more difficult to control. I
don't feel comfortable using them if there are cars around.
At the moment, my thighs hit my gut (which is too big) so
position is still not right. Maybe raise the entire
handlebar ensemble a bit.

Not a very scientific test but I reckon on the flat, I get
about an extra 2-3kph when on the extensions - basically
went up one gear. Just need to get to the stage where I
can stay on them for more than a few minutes at a time.

When not on the tribars, I don't like having these things
sticking out the front - they interfere with my peripheral
vision of the front wheel.

We'll see how I go in the next TT Sunday week. Kings Park
so with the hill, maybe they won't make much difference.

Cheers,
Duncan.

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Hi Duncan,
These articles might help:
cyclingnews.comfitnessOpen ↗
cyclingnews.comfitnessOpen ↗

Adam

adam85 said:

DeF said:

Yesterday I went for my first ride with tribars
fitted. I've got a few impressions and wondered
what other folk thought of them. I got them 'cos
the only "racing" I'm doing is the occasional TT.

Adjusting the length is tricky. I wasn't sure about
where my arms should rest on the pads so I looked at
heaps of photos in my bike mags to see where the pros
put theirs. The answer is anywhere from just behind
the wrist up to the elbow. Hmm, that didn't help all
that much. I've got them set up so that the center of
the pads are about 6" from my elbow. I feel a bit too
stretched out though - might have to shorten the extensions
a little more (needs a hacksaw).

On the tribars, the bike is more difficult to control. I
don't feel comfortable using them if there are cars around.
At the moment, my thighs hit my gut (which is too big) so
position is still not right. Maybe raise the entire
handlebar ensemble a bit.

Not a very scientific test but I reckon on the flat, I get
about an extra 2-3kph when on the extensions - basically
went up one gear. Just need to get to the stage where I
can stay on them for more than a few minutes at a time.

When not on the tribars, I don't like having these things
sticking out the front - they interfere with my peripheral
vision of the front wheel.

We'll see how I go in the next TT Sunday week. Kings Park
so with the hill, maybe they won't make much difference.

Cheers,
Duncan.

--
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To reply, you'll have to remove finger.

Hi Duncan,
These articles might help:
http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=2004/letters11-08#Bike
http://www.cyclingnews.com/fitness/?id=2005/letters06-13

Adam

Thanks for that Adam, I really should have read this before
installing my tribars! I think I'll need to shorten them
further, perhaps another 2cm. Unfortunately, I can't adjust
the armrests, they sit right on top of the flat section of
the handlebars.

More experimentation required...

Cheers,
Duncan.

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DeF said:

Yesterday I went for my first ride with tribars
fitted. I've got a few impressions and wondered
what other folk thought of them. I got them 'cos
the only "racing" I'm doing is the occasional TT.

Adjusting the length is tricky. I wasn't sure about
where my arms should rest on the pads so I looked at
heaps of photos in my bike mags to see where the pros
put theirs. The answer is anywhere from just behind
the wrist up to the elbow. Hmm, that didn't help all
that much. I've got them set up so that the center of
the pads are about 6" from my elbow. I feel a bit too
stretched out though - might have to shorten the extensions
a little more (needs a hacksaw).

On the tribars, the bike is more difficult to control. I
don't feel comfortable using them if there are cars around.
At the moment, my thighs hit my gut (which is too big) so
position is still not right. Maybe raise the entire
handlebar ensemble a bit.

Not a very scientific test but I reckon on the flat, I get
about an extra 2-3kph when on the extensions - basically
went up one gear. Just need to get to the stage where I
can stay on them for more than a few minutes at a time.

When not on the tribars, I don't like having these things
sticking out the front - they interfere with my peripheral
vision of the front wheel.

We'll see how I go in the next TT Sunday week. Kings Park
so with the hill, maybe they won't make much difference.

Cheers,
Duncan.

--
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To reply, you'll have to remove finger.

My road bike is going to be getting the old Time trial treatment soon for my first upcoming Half Ironman, I think im excited, not sure yet.

* New seat post, its an aero/tri seat post, so no offset backwards, which will shift me slightly more forward, this is the most important change I will be making.

* Aero bars attached on and then playing around with the position, I had to go through the same thing on my old bike, took about 2-3 weeks of riding to establish a really efficient position and get the body used to it as well.

*NEVER* use aero bars in traffic, thats just asking for trouble

* be careful on windy days with bad cross winds, usually best to find a good clean bit of road with next to no traffic, which sounds like you have.

MikeyOz said:

My road bike is going to be getting the old Time trial treatment soon for my first upcoming Half Ironman, I think im excited, not sure yet.

Which one Mikey? I'll be playing cheer squad and chief photographer for friends at Shepparton and Port Macquarie if you want your name on the list of people to take photos of 🙂

cheers,
ali

alison_b said:

Which one Mikey? I'll be playing cheer squad and chief photographer for friends at Shepparton and Port Macquarie if you want your name on the list of people to take photos of 🙂

cheers,
ali

well I am registered for Port Macquarie, that is my first one, I will have the cheer squad/photographer/nutrionist tagging along (wife) and I plan to do Shepparton as well, but im not sure about work yet, so I have to wait on Shepparton, *fingers crossed* i will probably end up doing Canberra instead and maybe the Tassie one.

But feel free to take photos!!

MikeyOz said:

well I am registered for Port Macquarie, that is my first one, I will have the cheer squad/photographer/nutrionist tagging along (wife) and I plan to do Shepparton as well, but im not sure about work yet, so I have to wait on Shepparton, *fingers crossed* i will probably end up doing Canberra instead and maybe the Tassie one.

But feel free to take photos!!

Well good luck! I always feel a bit sorry for the Tri-orphans who bust their butts in the race and no-one is there to record it for them. My sweetie is doing Port Macquarie, and we are going along to cheer on a friend at Shepp... I'm even considering doing the 1/6 course to fill in some time there.

If no qualifying spot materialises at Port Macquarie it will be Canberra as well...

ali, tri-widow 🙂

"DeF" wrote
<snip>

Quoted message said:

We'll see how I go in the next TT Sunday week. Kings Park
so with the hill, maybe they won't make much difference.

Be carefull with tri-bars and hills. You are more stretched out than usual
putting extra strain on your hamstrings and lower back. The extra stress
you put on yourself going up hill combined with being stretched out will
increase your chances of injury. (speaking from painful experience!)
My suggestion, once you hit a hill, get out of the tri-bars. They are
unlikely to help going up hill anyway, in fact may be a disadvantage because
of the added weight?

Good luck with the TT. I am in Perth. Who organises them, and what time?
Can I just turn up and give it a go?

BruceA

alison_b said:

Well good luck! I always feel a bit sorry for the Tri-orphans who bust their butts in the race and no-one is there to record it for them. My sweetie is doing Port Macquarie, and we are going along to cheer on a friend at Shepp... I'm even considering doing the 1/6 course to fill in some time there.

If no qualifying spot materialises at Port Macquarie it will be Canberra as well...

ali, tri-widow 🙂

well if he is anything like me, youre definately not a tri-widow, I sometimes feel I dont even know if I will be able to do it, without the wife there supporting me, so she is as much of me being able to finish as I am... so you are far from a tri-widow.....

but the plans sound very similar to me, however Port Macquarie being my first event, just hoping to do alright, if I get a qualify, its a bonus, but shepparton or canberra are the events I will hopefully be tapering just nicely for.

good luck as well!

DeF said:

Yesterday I went for my first ride with tribars
fitted. I've got a few impressions and wondered
what other folk thought of them. I got them 'cos
the only "racing" I'm doing is the occasional TT.

Adjusting the length is tricky. I wasn't sure about
where my arms should rest on the pads so I looked at
heaps of photos in my bike mags to see where the pros
put theirs. The answer is anywhere from just behind
the wrist up to the elbow. Hmm, that didn't help all
that much. I've got them set up so that the center of
the pads are about 6" from my elbow. I feel a bit too
stretched out though - might have to shorten the extensions
a little more (needs a hacksaw).

On the tribars, the bike is more difficult to control. I
don't feel comfortable using them if there are cars around.
At the moment, my thighs hit my gut (which is too big) so
position is still not right. Maybe raise the entire
handlebar ensemble a bit.

Not a very scientific test but I reckon on the flat, I get
about an extra 2-3kph when on the extensions - basically
went up one gear. Just need to get to the stage where I
can stay on them for more than a few minutes at a time.

When not on the tribars, I don't like having these things
sticking out the front - they interfere with my peripheral
vision of the front wheel.

We'll see how I go in the next TT Sunday week. Kings Park
so with the hill, maybe they won't make much difference.

Cheers,
Duncan.

As far as set up goes here are some links that may be of interest:

http://www.bikesportmichigan.com/features/exisitingfit.shtml
http://weightweenies.starbike.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7870

the second link gives a stack of other links, plenty of reading if you wish.

jh

BruceA said:

"DeF" wrote
<snip>

Quoted message said:

We'll see how I go in the next TT Sunday week. Kings Park
so with the hill, maybe they won't make much difference.

Be carefull with tri-bars and hills. You are more stretched out than usual
putting extra strain on your hamstrings and lower back. The extra stress
you put on yourself going up hill combined with being stretched out will
increase your chances of injury. (speaking from painful experience!)
My suggestion, once you hit a hill, get out of the tri-bars. They are
unlikely to help going up hill anyway, in fact may be a disadvantage because
of the added weight?

Good luck with the TT. I am in Perth. Who organises them, and what time?
Can I just turn up and give it a go?

They are organized by the ATTA (http://www.atta.asn.au) and are a great
way to start out in competition. The next event is the Winter in the
Parks event at Kings Park. Event starts at 8.00am, so I would recommend
getting there at about 7.15. Entry costs $5 for members or $7 for
non-members. $20 buys you annual membership. For most events you can
just rock up and ride. I saw one guy ride the Easter TT at Bibra lake
on a MTB and another on his tourer, complete with racks!

Have fun.

--
BrettS

Many thanks Brett.

BruceA

BrettS said:

BruceA said:

"DeF" wrote
<snip>

Quoted message said:

We'll see how I go in the next TT Sunday week. Kings Park
so with the hill, maybe they won't make much difference.

Be carefull with tri-bars and hills. You are more stretched out than
usual putting extra strain on your hamstrings and lower back. The
extra stress you put on yourself going up hill combined with being
stretched out will increase your chances of injury. (speaking from
painful experience!)
My suggestion, once you hit a hill, get out of the tri-bars. They are
unlikely to help going up hill anyway, in fact may be a disadvantage
because of the added weight?

Good luck with the TT. I am in Perth. Who organises them, and what
time? Can I just turn up and give it a go?

They are organized by the ATTA (http://www.atta.asn.au) and are a great
way to start out in competition. The next event is the Winter in the
Parks event at Kings Park. Event starts at 8.00am, so I would recommend
getting there at about 7.15. Entry costs $5 for members or $7 for
non-members. $20 buys you annual membership. For most events you can
just rock up and ride. I saw one guy ride the Easter TT at Bibra lake
on a MTB and another on his tourer, complete with racks!

Have fun.

I can vouch for BrettS' comments - a good way to get into riding with
a sporting purpose. ATTA have a very egalitarian philosophy - you're
riding against the clock and yourself. Their website is excellent too.

I've started doing the shorter TTs with the longest being the 28km
"two-up" last October. I felt terrible at the end of that but have
got a new bike, less gut and more kms in the legs since then. The
Bibra lake TT (Easter Friday each year) attracts 150 riders (the upper
limit for the event). I'm keen to have a go at a 40km, even an 80km
next year if I can keep the kms up.

TTs can be demoralising when you see how slow you are compared with the
guns but I was on a real high after averaging over 37kph for 16km in
my first ITT (fastest chap was an astonishing (to me) 47kph - faster
than my maximum for the course!).

I'll be at Kings Park - on the black and sliver Orbea Onix. Not sure
about using the tri-bars for that one at this stage. Roads are a little
rough and there's That Hill.

Cheers,
Duncan.

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