Best Time Trial Aerobars

By on July 7, 2011 in products, timetrials

I recently spent considerable time researching the ‘best’ time trial aerobars. I wanted some bars which were:

  • optimal aerodynamics
  • low weight
  • maximum flexibility to try different positions
  • internal cabling
  • Comfortable to use
  • look good and aero. (i.e. vanity, but nothing wrong with that :) )
  • Good value
  • UCI compliant for British Time Trial Championship.. i.e needs to meet the UCI’s 3:1 Aspect rule.

In the end I ended up buying some Hed Vantage on bay for only £250. These didn’t have internal cabling, but apart from that they met every requirement, I needed.

Reviews of Time Trial Aerobars

Bontrager XXX lite Time Trial Bars.

British Time Trial Championships 2009

  • Weight: 630 grams
  • Internal routing: for brake cables
  • Pad height 60mm
  • Flexibility: not great. There was a limit to how low you could get bars, also I would have liked to get arms closer.

I had these for two seasons. They are lightweight, but lacked sufficient flexibility. The arm pads sit quite high up from the base bar, meaning it was difficult to get low position. I actually had to buy a steep angled stem and use it downward sloping stem to get the position I wanted, but this wasn’t ideal.

Hed Vantage 8 Time Trial Bars

Hed Vantage

  • Weight: 585g
  • Internal routing: not for gears, but yes for brakes. But you can see it is easy to tape cable to underside of extensions and they are not really too visible.
  • Flexibility: Very Good
  • Retail price: £450

An advantage of these aero bars is that the arm extensions are separate to base bar. This means you can adjust just the position of the extensions. This is useful if going for a V shaped position (extensions pointing up). Though it may seem counter-intuitive it  can be more aerodynamic for some riders (especially for shorter and chunkier riders).

There is no internal cable routing, but this is not a huge disadvantage. You could drill holes or just tape cables to underside of bars.

The wing aero bar looks cool and is very aerodynamic. One thing to be aware of – you need to take care you tighten up bars properly, I found the extensions slipping down a little at first. It is also a little on the creaky side.

Hed Corsair

  • Very similar to the Hed Advantage. They have same weight These are a little more expensive £549
  • They come very close to the UCI’s 3:1 aspect rule for size of aerowings (2.96: 1)
  • choice of extensions – S Bend, Lazy S Bend or Ski Slope
  • Have bumped brake hoods for help cycling around corners.

USE Tula Aerobars

Perhaps the most aerodynamic time trial bar. This has brakes in an unusual position right behind the bar itself. This reduces another element from the frontal aero drag and can make it more aerodynamic. Use claim that at 30mph they save 15 watts over other aerobars, though they don’t specify which.

I did consider buying these because they really look the best. They are used by Michael Hutchinson who has researched aerodynamics as much as any timetriallist in UK. Despite the looks, aerodynamics and low weight, I was put off buying because of concerns over brake position. People say that it is fine for simple time trial course, but I enjoy riding hilly sporting courses where you are often breaking and going around sharp corners. For this kind of event, I don’t want any compromise in breaking ability as you could lose valuable seconds not made up by aero benefits (plus it raises safety issues). If you just do simple time trial courses up and down dual carriageways, this may be best.

Also, another downside is that you want to ange the extensions up at 40 degrees, you have to angle whole bar because they are integrated into main aero bar.

Profile CSX Aerobars.

I have some profile CSX clip on aerobars for my road bike, when I need an aero road bike. They look great and are very aesthetically pleasing. The pads are very close to extensions which I like.

  • Weight: The integrated aerobase bar is 660g
  • Internal cabling: Yes
  • Adjustability: Good. Length and rotational extension adjustments.
  • Profile CSX at Evans Cycles
  • see also: review for Profile sonic aerobars

3T Aura Pro TT

If you are looking for an entry level aerobar, this is a good choice. For under £300 you can get a basic aerobar. It’s design is based on simplicity and is actually quite lightweight. You can later change extensions. A cheap way to get aero.

Other time trial bars considering, Planet X Carbon aero bars, Oval 901 series

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