Trek 7.9 FX Aerobars?

What do you really want from your bike?

If you want to race (either road or TT) then it's simply the wrong bike (no change of bars is going to help there). The geometry of the bike is not designed around a position where you would normally ride on aerobars (or racing bars). It is designed to be laid back far more than a road/TT bike and the use of aerobars will probably only cramp your pedalling action (unless they are set ridiculously high - in which case kiss aerodynamics goodbye).

If you're just commuting or riding for general fitness, then aerodynamics isn't your main concern and it isn't going to slow you down as much as the traffic does. In fact aerobars take your hands away from the levers and reduce steering stability which is potentially dangerous on trafficked roads.

If you feel you need a lower riding position, then think about a road bike which gives you better aerodynamics without compromising safety (even there the vast majority of road riders rarely use aerobars).

Tafi

Thanks for the well thought out reply - much to think about!

Here is where I am and what I am doing. I bought the bike for fitness. I really had no idea what I was doing or thinking at that time. Since then I listen to many Cycling Podcasts and have been reading many and I mean many books. My current book is "Base Building for Cyclists" by Thomas Chapple. Still getting through Joel Friel's Training Bible.

What am I doing now?

I ride the bike on a Kurt Kinetic Fluid Trainer and use many of the Spinnerval DVD's. I keep track of my workouts with my Garmin 705 and use it when I take the bike out to ride on the road. I also use the DVD's loaded into my iTouch or iPad at Gold's Gym. I workout everyday but only weights twice a week.

I like the position of the exercise bikes at the gym, I thought that Aerobars would just give me more positions but your comment on the geometry makes sense.

Maybe down the road I will try a road bike or borrow one. As far as goals mine would be completely simple. Maybe get good enough to just ride a group ride but never compete. I am 48 years old, I work as a CPA and clock many hours at work. I enjoy taking off and going to the gym for an hour or so daily.

Why? well bikes are so addicting and so is watching the racing tours. I have much to learn and enjoy the process. I also bike casually with my 5 year old daughter. My other bike is a Brompton M6R. Not the same as a Trek 7.9FX. But any bike is better than no bike.

Thanks for your comments
Bill
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If your goal is more along the lines of 'comfort bars' than 'aero bars' then you can certainly slap some clip on bars onto your current bike. Yeah, it'll get your front end lower and improve your aerodynamics in the process but if you like the tri position there's nothing wrong with running clip on aero extensions on a bike with a less aggressive geometry. Lot's of folks do that for century rides and have their aero bars set very high and comfortably compared to aggressive time trial or triathlon positions where racers are emphasizing speed and performance over comfort.

So as Tafi suggested above it depends a lot on your goals. If you're not planning to race seriously and are looking for more positions than you currently have with your flat bar setup you can definitely add clip on aero extensions but you don't have to set them like Cancellara. Seems to me decent options include:

- Adding clip on bars to your current flat bar setup. This is the least expensive route and pretty easy. You'll probably need to shim the aero bar clamps to fit your relatively narrow flat bars but that's still easy.

- Adding mountain bike style bar extensions to the ends of your flat bars to open up a few more hand positions. Something like this: http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/BE409A05-Profile+Design+Sos+Boxer+Barends.aspx

- Swapping your current front end for a set of road drop bars. A bit more expensive since brake levers and shifters will have to be changed out. A big part of the reason folks ride drop bars even on touring bikes is for all the various hand positions they offer.

- Running road bars plus aero extensions set up as 'comfort bars' will give you the most positioning options but again will cost you a bit by the time you buy the parts and swap out brake levers and shifters for the drop bars.

- Buy a dedicated road bike. Great if you've got the budget and if you're interested in riding more and or riding faster. Most of us have more than one bike, for instance one for nasty weather riding and commuting and another for going fast or going long on nice days. Nothing wrong with building a quiver of bikes that suit your needs but of course this is a pricey route to take so it depends on your interest level and your budget.

But you don't necessarily 'need' a dedicated road bike to open up more positioning options and if you like the lie down position offered by many gym ergs then there's nothing wrong with setting up bar extensions with an emphasis on comfort rather than flat out speed. Lot's of people do just that.

Good luck,
-Dave

Dave,

Thanks for the suggestions. I once did think about switching out the handlebars and I won't completely rule that option out. There is much I need to get adjusted to and things have changed since I used to ride. Back in the day clip-less pedals did not exist.

I feel like I am training for a Triathlon! More of a personal goal. I am certain though I at least have a fairly decent bike for fitness standards. And I certainly have no complaint with my Trek. For a road bike I would love the Cervelo RS. Been watching too many professional races.

Thanks
Bill