| DIY Aero |
I recommend these suggestions for those that have at least 500
outside road miles on their bike this year.
outside road miles on their bike this year.
1) Clip on Aero bars I assuming you have a road bike with normal, drop bars at this point. Most bars
will cost between $50 & $150 for this purpose. Look for adjustable reach bars as they offer the most
adjust ability. Don't worry about the position as it will get tweaked later.
2) Move your saddle forward and/or get a new seat post Moving the seat forward will move your body
forward when you add aero bars. This is a very common mistake where aero bars are added and the
body is over extended. Since you are effectively moving your handlebars forward, you need to move your
body as well. Think of it as rotating your self around the center of the crank arm or bottom bracket. A
forward seatpost will move the seat forward 1-2 inches. This will cost between $40 & $200 depending
on the type and material (carbon fiber is more expensive). The ideal fit is to drop a plumb line from the
front of your knee and it should be 1-2cm in front of the pedal spindle.
3) Correct saddle height and angle When you move your saddle forward, it effectively lowers it. You
want a 30 degree bend in your knee when your pedal is at its lowest point. The second piece is to lower
the nose of your saddle 1degree for every 1inch difference between the seat and the handlebar. For
example, there is 2 inches of difference between the top of the seat and the handlebar. You would want
the nose of your saddle dropped 2 degrees. While this doesn't sound like much, it will make a
difference and save your hamstrings for the run portion.
4) Tri-specific seat This will cost you between $40 and $200. The key here is the nose of the seat is
padded which is where about 1/3 to 1/2 of your weight will sit.
5) Aero Helmet This is the most bang for the buck in aero equipment. These helmets can save you
precious time by having a smoother air flow around your body. These helmets will cost you between
$80 and $400.
6) Aero Race Wheels This is one of the most expensive accessories you can purchase. You will see
the serious competitors will have various versions of race wheels from deep sectioned (wide rimmed)
to full disc (solid wheel with no visible spokes). These are race specific, very lightweight components
that should only be used on race day as they are not as sturdy as an everyday training wheel. These will
cost you from $900 - $4000 depending on brand and type. You can often times find a used set online at
one of the auction sites.
These are just a few ideas of how to get more aerodynamic on the bike for not a lot of money, with the
exception of the wheels.
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