Clip-on aerobars on tapered handlebar

[hmronnow]

Does anyone have recommendations or soutions for adding clip-on aerobars to a handlebar, which tapers from 32mm in the center to 26mm quite far out towards the sides?

I recently bought a cervelo soloist team, and am very happy with it. However, I now realise that the supplied handlebar (FSA RD250) due to the tapering is not well suited for adding clip-on bars. This is kind of disappointing, considering that they advertise its supposed ability to 'convert' to a time-trial/tri bike by reversing the saddlepost (thereby achieving steeper angle).

- Is there a clip-on bar which still works well with this handle-bar?
- Has anyone experiences in fixing aerobars onto the tapered part using some home-made opposite tapered spacer?

Additional constraints is that I would like a clip-on bar, which is not too heavy, which can fold up for climbing, and which gives a rather narrow setup (i.e. sits close to the middle)

Thanks
Henrik

 

[nerdag]

I recently bought a cervelo soloist team, and am very happy with it. However, I now realise that the supplied handlebar (FSA RD250) due to the tapering is not well suited for adding clip-on bars. This is kind of disappointing, considering that they advertise its supposed ability to 'convert' to a time-trial/tri bike by reversing the saddlepost (thereby achieving steeper angle).

Can't help with specifics, but if a 31.8 clip on is made, it's probably still a whole lot easier to switch your stem/bar to a 26.0mm setup - it will allow far more adjustability and more choices with such a bar.

It could quite possibly be cheaper, even with the expense of a new bar/stem, since you'll not have to search around for a 31.8 clip-on, and if you resell your existing parts, then you could certainly end up with minimal expenditure.

FWIW, most road frames can be turned into an 'instant' tri/TT frame by reversing the seatpost. It's not always ideal, but it is a very economical way to do it.

n

 

[aussiejim]

I think proform does one that fits both sizes ,the arm pads are on a spring

 

[hmronnow]

Update from Henrik (thread starter)

I bought the Profile Lightning Stryke and the Lava OS stem on which it mounts. Changing the stem is much easier than changing the handlebar.

Since this is my first aerobar, I cannot comment on whether it is a good bar.

What I can say is that technically the assembly works well, but a drawback is the inability to adjust the angle of the bar, which is fixed by the stem.
If pulling hard while punching the pedals, I can feel the bar flex, but I'do not have the feeling it would break.


ATB
Henrik

 

[jrstevens]

FWIW, most road frames can be turned into an 'instant' tri/TT frame by reversing the seatpost. It's not always ideal, but it is a very economical way to do it.

n

what exactly do you mean by "reversing the seatpost"? Do you pull it out and put the top end back in first or do you simply rotate it 180 degrees. I'm trying to visualize this with my Thomson Elite and can't figure it out????

 

[John M]

what exactly do you mean by "reversing the seatpost"? Do you pull it out and put the top end back in first or do you simply rotate it 180 degrees. I'm trying to visualize this with my Thomson Elite and can't figure it out????

Some of the Cervelo's come with a proprietary seat post that has a reversible head that does indeed flip 180 degrees.

 

[nerdag]

what exactly do you mean by "reversing the seatpost"? Do you pull it out and put the top end back in first or do you simply rotate it 180 degrees. I'm trying to visualize this with my Thomson Elite and can't figure it out????

Rotate 180deg, so that the "set back" is now "set forward". This effectively adds a few degrees to your seat tube angle, making it a bit steeper.

Only works if your post is a set back model, which the Elite you have many not be.

n

 

[jrstevens]

Rotate 180deg, so that the "set back" is now "set forward". This effectively adds a few degrees to your seat tube angle, making it a bit steeper.

Only works if your post is a set back model, which the Elite you have many not be.

n

I see now. You didn't mention setback seatposts in your post but that makes sense. yes my Elite has no setback.

thanks for clarifying