Jc08

I have recently purchased a Trek FX 1 for one purpose, ride in a triathlon. I am not competing, just doing them by myself for fun. I want to fit clip on aero bars to the handlebars but I also saw bar ends work. My question, which would you suggest to a new rider looking to try their first triathlon, bar ends or aero bars?

edit: I am not going to try a full length triathlon for my first time, just wanted to add that

_ForceD_

I would suggest you use clip-on bars. They have the pads so that you can rest on your forearms, and thereby save your arms and shoulders from becoming fatigued. Bar ends don't allow you to rest on your forearms. In fact...you'd still be holding yourself up at arm's length. With clip-ons that have pads you are lowering yourself down to elbow height...and thereby lessing your profile...that's the aerodynamic advantage.

But...if you're just doing these personal triathlons only to compete against yourself...why do you need the them at all? I mean that's really up to you if that's how you want to set up your bike. I'm just sayin'... I just ride my standard road bike for training, and only get on the aero bars for a ride or two before an actual tri race.

And just wondering...by "full length triathlon"...what distance are you talking about? Ironman, half-Ironman, International/Olympic distance, or sprint distance?

Dan

Jc08

By full length triathlon, I mean anything longer than a sprint distance. I want them for different positions so I can relieve pressure on my hands and wrists.

Trakhak

I had both bar ends and clip-on aero bars on one flat bar bike for a while, but I took the bar ends off when I realized that I never used them and used the aero bars constantly.

_ForceD_

Definately go with the clip-on aero bars.

Dan