How to Get as Aero as Possible (2024)

Aero bars have a reputation for being uncomfortable, twitchy and sometimes even downright dangerous. And when they're improperly used, that's true. But with the right adjustments, they can make for smooth, fast and safe sailing, which is exactly what you need if you've set your sights on a time trial or are diving into a triathlon. "The biggest mistake people make is setting up their aero bars without adjusting their bike fit," says Dan Smith, of LifeSport Coaching in Victoria, British Columbia. "That alone can make you unsteady and uncomfortable." Here's what he recommends. (Get even more tips for gaining speed by reading Get Fast!)

SHIFT FORWARD AND UP: Aero bars effectively move the handlebar forward, so you need to adjust your body position to accommodate that change. Shift your saddle forward, then (because you've just effectively lowered it) raise it to compensate. Some riders also prefer to tilt the nose down a degree so they'll be able to roll their hips forward. "Once you raise and shift your saddle, you'll have more weight on the aero bars, which will also make you more stable," says Smith. It can be a tricky process, so consider springing for a professional fit if you can't get comfortable.

Video: What the pros prefer:

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GIVE YOURSELF BREATHING ROOM: You want to reduce your frontal surface area as much as possible, because that's the greatest source of wind resistance. But don't scrunch in so narrowly that you close your chest cavity and restrict your breathing. Set the pads far enough apart that you can keep your shoulders in their natural down-and-back position. A good rule of thumb: Line your elbows up with the width of your hips. If your shoulders are broad, position the bars to keep your hands close together, which minimizes the amount of air that flows through to your stomach.

STACK YOURSELF: Place your forearms on the pads just ahead of your elbows so your arms rest on the wide, muscular section of your forearms. In this position, your ears should be directly over your elbows. If you have a short torso, you might find the aero bars are a bit too far forward to achieve this. If so, consider a shorter stem.

MIND THE TERRAIN: A common aero bar mistake is staying on them past the point of efficiency, especially on inclines, says Smith. "Once your speed dips below about 12.5 mph going uphill, you're losing the benefit," he says. At that point, sit up to get more power.

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PRACTICE AWAY FROM THE PACK: Ride using your aero bars on wide, flat roads with few driveways or feeder roads. Get comfortable, riding five to 10 minutes at a time in the aero position, building the duration gradually as you become more confident. Once you master it, riding with aero bars is stable and safe, but it still has no place in pack riding; you're simply too far from the brakes and unable to react quickly to obstacles or pack maneuvers.

GET BENT: The current trend for tri bikes: flat aero bars, or S-bends, which are only slightly curved. But traditional ski-bend bars, which are curved up at the end, are considerably more comfortable and may provide better bike handing, especially for time-trialing or short races during which you'll be anchoring your upper body and pulling on the bars to generate power.