TT bars

jim said:

I can understand the science and see the reasons for TT bars when riding a
TT - but why do triathletes use them? Is it a triumph of the laws of
marketing rather than the laws of physics?

Because in a non-draft triathlon the bike leg is essentially a TT.

DaveB

jim said:

I can understand the science and see the reasons for TT bars when riding a
TT - but why do triathletes use them? Is it a triumph of the laws of
marketing rather than the laws of physics?

What you've said is a contradiction. If you understand the science of
them then you would know that marketing has nothing to do with it. The
demand for tri bars is driven by the triathletes, not the marketers. In
fact it's common knowledge that the earliest tribars were home-made,
with Greg Lemonds win in the Tour de France making the point they were a
technological advantage over non-tribar bikes.

jim said:

I can understand the science and see the reasons for TT bars when riding a
TT - but why do triathletes use them? Is it a triumph of the laws of
marketing rather than the laws of physics?

When triathlons first took off they had a rule that riders could not draft
their competitors. Thus peletons were illegal, and in this scenario
aerodynamics became crucial to victory on the bike leg, hence the use of
aero-bars. Funny how all these add-ons are OK to race with, but not the
ultimate aero modification. Oscar Egg would turn in his grave.

Now triathlons seem to have scrapped the drafting rule, so yes that does
make the use of aero bars a bit of an anachronism.

--
Cheers
Peter

~~~ ~ _@
~~ ~ _- \,
~~ (*)/ (*)

Peter Signorini said:

Now triathlons seem to have scrapped the drafting rule, so yes that does
make the use of aero bars a bit of an anachronism.

That rule (where drafting is allowed) applies to the elites only, and
only in some tri's. Age-groupers are rarely (and as far as I know never)
allowed to draft. And even elites have this rule in events like ironman.
Anyone riding a 180km TT without tri bars would be at a definite
disadvantage.

DaveB

"jim" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

I can understand the science and see the reasons for TT bars when riding a
TT - but why do triathletes use them? Is it a triumph of the laws of
marketing rather than the laws of physics?

I recently read that TT Bars will give a distinct advantage from an
aerodynamic point at 20 mph and above in particular.

Doug Thomas

jim said:

I can understand the science and see the reasons for TT bars when riding a
TT - but why do triathletes use them? Is it a triumph of the laws of
marketing rather than the laws of physics?

Because the bike leg of a tri is a time trial. They're generally not
allowed to draft.

Ask Lauren Fignon if TT bars are useless!!!!!!!!!!!

"jim" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
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Quoted message said:

I can understand the science and see the reasons for TT bars when riding a
TT - but why do triathletes use them? Is it a triumph of the laws of
marketing rather than the laws of physics?

quote='DaveB'Peter Signorini said:

Now triathlons seem to have scrapped the drafting rule, so yes that does
make the use of aero bars a bit of an anachronism.

That rule (where drafting is allowed) applies to the elites only, and
only in some tri's. Age-groupers are rarely (and as far as I know never)
allowed to draft. And even elites have this rule in events like ironman.
Anyone riding a 180km TT without tri bars would be at a definite
disadvantage.

DaveB[/QUOTE]
My understanding of the use of aerobars in drafting-allowed races is that they have to have the enclosed end on them (not two prongs, but a U-shape). And isn't there something about the distance they're allowed to protrude?

Ali