Aero bars on Canyon Endurance?
10-07-17, 01:02 PM
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Aero bars on Canyon Endurance?
Doing 40-60 milers. Might be nice to hav aero bars on the bike. Is the endurance any good to throw aero bars onto or does that not quite make sense? Looking for some light weight and very basic no frills aero bars.
Thinking I need to get fitted to the new bike I might as well bring aero bars with me for fitting those as well. What say the hive?
Thinking I need to get fitted to the new bike I might as well bring aero bars with me for fitting those as well. What say the hive?
10-07-17, 01:15 PM
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I say get fitted and pony up for a Canyon aero one-piece stem/bar.
Whether or not it'll actually improve performance somehow, I don't know, but it'll tick the most important box of looking cool.
Whether or not it'll actually improve performance somehow, I don't know, but it'll tick the most important box of looking cool.
10-07-17, 04:00 PM
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If you're talking about flattops, go for it provided (IMO) you can use them with your forearms on them. If not, I would be thinking about the added cost and weight.
If you're talking about those things that stick out the front, here're a couple of my observations
- they're faster on most routes, when used at all opportunities
- I don't want them on for all riding
- they're much faster if you do TT: fairly flat over X0 miles, all out
- they increase comfort levels and overall speed for X00 mile rides
- fitting can be tricky: they're most comfy with high+forward saddle
For 40-60 miles, I would only use them for all-out efforts.
If you're talking about those things that stick out the front, here're a couple of my observations
- they're faster on most routes, when used at all opportunities
- I don't want them on for all riding
- they're much faster if you do TT: fairly flat over X0 miles, all out
- they increase comfort levels and overall speed for X00 mile rides
- fitting can be tricky: they're most comfy with high+forward saddle
For 40-60 miles, I would only use them for all-out efforts.
10-08-17, 07:40 AM
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Oh, aero bars, not aero handlebars - my bad.
Yeah, I got nothin' on that front.
Yeah, I got nothin' on that front.
10-08-17, 08:52 AM
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10-08-17, 09:01 AM
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Can you elaborate why?
I believe you maybe conflating speed with comfort...what the OP is going for on long rides.
Lots of average guys on endurance geometry bikes with aerobars. Reason is some aerodynamic improvement but elbows supporting their torso which helps with less than ideal core strength on long rides.
No, they aren't as aerodyanamic as aero bars on a Tarmac or Dogma. That isn't the point. Many average guys with less than racer flexibility can still be helped aerodynamically on an endurance bike with aero bars.
I believe you maybe conflating speed with comfort...what the OP is going for on long rides.
Lots of average guys on endurance geometry bikes with aerobars. Reason is some aerodynamic improvement but elbows supporting their torso which helps with less than ideal core strength on long rides.
No, they aren't as aerodyanamic as aero bars on a Tarmac or Dogma. That isn't the point. Many average guys with less than racer flexibility can still be helped aerodynamically on an endurance bike with aero bars.
Last edited by Campag4life; 10-08-17 at 09:05 AM.
10-08-17, 11:10 AM
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Yeah, the guy that's looking to ride 60 miles with a balance of speed and comfort bought the wrong bike by going with endurance geo. 
10-08-17, 11:29 AM
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OP bought the right bike. He just wants to put some aero bars on his more upright geometry endurance bike to cheat the wind a bit as an alternative position and give his arms and core a rest on long rides. Common. No he likely won't win a TT on such a bike. Not what its for. Aero bars can help with fatigue on long steady state rides. Many guys around me ride TT bikes for training. They are set up a bit more upright than pure TT bikes for comfort and yet still more aero than a conventional road bike in the drops.
10-08-17, 11:38 AM
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I know a guy that does ultra endurance (Transam, etc.).
He has a compact position w/ tall head tube, no saddle/bar drop, & little aero bars.
All about getting weight off the hands for him.
He has a compact position w/ tall head tube, no saddle/bar drop, & little aero bars.
All about getting weight off the hands for him.
10-08-17, 04:34 PM
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I ride a 2nd gen Cannondale Synapse Carbon (2016). I would imagine its geometry is quite similar to OP's bike. As far as I can tell, the fitting ranges on modern bikes sufficiently overlap that you can get most positions you want on most bikes. For example, I have a 15cm/6inch drop from the top of the seat to the top of the handlebars, using a -17 degree, 120mm stem. This past week, I got a Strava KOM ahead of 300 across a 7 mile TT, at 17lbs. With my climbing setup, it comes in at 15lbs, which I've used to get Strava KOMs, e.g., on a 1/2 mile segment averaging >13% and a ~5 mile category 2 segment. Tomorrow morning, I'll set off on a 500mile+50,000ft "TT", with a packed weight (minus food+drink) of 24lbs.
As far as I can tell, what you say has no connection to reality.
As far as I can tell, what you say has no connection to reality.
Last edited by ReneV; 10-08-17 at 05:45 PM.
10-08-17, 04:43 PM
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10-09-17, 06:42 AM
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I've seen it done before. If it is more comfortable for you, go for it.
But you also might find that the aero position is less comfortable, less stable, and less powerful. It takes time to find the right aero position. Sometimes the frame can help dictate. Sometimes it's just a matter of flexibility.
Ultimately thought, clip-on aerobars aren't a huge expense, so give it a go.
But you also might find that the aero position is less comfortable, less stable, and less powerful. It takes time to find the right aero position. Sometimes the frame can help dictate. Sometimes it's just a matter of flexibility.
Ultimately thought, clip-on aerobars aren't a huge expense, so give it a go.
10-09-17, 07:59 AM
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I've seen it done before. If it is more comfortable for you, go for it.
But you also might find that the aero position is less comfortable, less stable, and less powerful. It takes time to find the right aero position. Sometimes the frame can help dictate. Sometimes it's just a matter of flexibility.
Ultimately thought, clip-on aerobars aren't a huge expense, so give it a go.
But you also might find that the aero position is less comfortable, less stable, and less powerful. It takes time to find the right aero position. Sometimes the frame can help dictate. Sometimes it's just a matter of flexibility.
Ultimately thought, clip-on aerobars aren't a huge expense, so give it a go.
Last edited by Campag4life; 10-09-17 at 08:09 AM.
10-09-17, 01:01 PM
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At the end of the day...there really is not a whole lot of difference. If I'm not mistaken, the difference between the headtube height of a race/endurance geometry bike is less than an inch. This is not earth shattering stuff...
Ok, I couldn't help myself..looked up specs on a 56cm Synapse and a 56cm Supersix
Stack / Reach
Synapse 59cm / 38.6cm
Suypersix 56.7cm /39.3cm
Those differences are within a few spacers or swapping out a stem. Essentially the same bike, depending on setup.
Ok, I couldn't help myself..looked up specs on a 56cm Synapse and a 56cm Supersix
Stack / Reach
Synapse 59cm / 38.6cm
Suypersix 56.7cm /39.3cm
Those differences are within a few spacers or swapping out a stem. Essentially the same bike, depending on setup.
Last edited by Abe_Froman; 10-09-17 at 01:06 PM.
10-09-17, 06:24 PM
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Love the flattop on the aero bars. They are marginally more comfortable when riding on the tops, make no difference in speed but infinitely better looking.
02-01-19, 07:10 PM
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Doing 40-60 milers. Might be nice to hav aero bars on the bike. Is the endurance any good to throw aero bars onto or does that not quite make sense? Looking for some light weight and very basic no frills aero bars.
Thinking I need to get fitted to the new bike I might as well bring aero bars with me for fitting those as well. What say the hive?
Thinking I need to get fitted to the new bike I might as well bring aero bars with me for fitting those as well. What say the hive?
02-01-19, 07:18 PM
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Where's @torger?
02-01-19, 08:24 PM
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Believe you would agree, in the context of comfort, what the OP is looking for, versus pure speed for example which is another reason some riders choose aerobars... by and large the average rider with average or below average flexibility will be more comfortable with aero bars on an endurance bike versus a more race oriented bike with shorter head tube which requires better pelvis/lumbar flexibility.
If your core and flexibility isn't up to a 60 mile ride in comfort then do some work on it, not use a "crutch" like aero bars.
Cycling is one dimensional enough as far as working your overall body without making it even more so.
Fair enough if you have some kind of medical condition, but otherwise.......
I also find the additional weight/inertia on the bars not helpful as well as giving me less bar space for putting my hands on.
02-01-19, 08:33 PM
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Non omnino gravis
Isn't part of cycling to improve fitness and general well being?
If your core and flexibility isn't up to a 60 mile ride in comfort then do some work on it, not use a "crutch" like aero bars.
Cycling is one dimensional enough as far as working your overall body without making it even more so.
Fair enough if you have some kind of medical condition, but otherwise.......
I also find the additional weight/inertia on the bars not helpful as well as giving me less bar space for putting my hands on.
If your core and flexibility isn't up to a 60 mile ride in comfort then do some work on it, not use a "crutch" like aero bars.
Cycling is one dimensional enough as far as working your overall body without making it even more so.
Fair enough if you have some kind of medical condition, but otherwise.......
I also find the additional weight/inertia on the bars not helpful as well as giving me less bar space for putting my hands on.
Aerobars just make long rides faster and more comfortable. What's not to like? But heck, I'm only at 977 miles for 2019, so what do I know.
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02-01-19, 09:11 PM
#23
Non omnino gravis
I'll have you know I only rode on 297 days in 2018. So there! 
It's not my fault I live where weather basically doesn't exist.
It's not my fault I live where weather basically doesn't exist.
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02-01-19, 09:28 PM
#24
C*pt*i* Obvious
Family, work, and life gets in the way for me.
Weather can also be problematic, I don't enjoy slipping off the road in the rain.
The best laid plans........
Weather can also be problematic, I don't enjoy slipping off the road in the rain.
The best laid plans........
02-01-19, 10:52 PM
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Isn't part of cycling to improve fitness and general well being?
If your core and flexibility isn't up to a 60 mile ride in comfort then do some work on it, not use a "crutch" like aero bars.
Cycling is one dimensional enough as far as working your overall body without making it even more so.
Fair enough if you have some kind of medical condition, but otherwise.......
I also find the additional weight/inertia on the bars not helpful as well as giving me less bar space for putting my hands on.
If your core and flexibility isn't up to a 60 mile ride in comfort then do some work on it, not use a "crutch" like aero bars.
Cycling is one dimensional enough as far as working your overall body without making it even more so.
Fair enough if you have some kind of medical condition, but otherwise.......
I also find the additional weight/inertia on the bars not helpful as well as giving me less bar space for putting my hands on.
