Tribars - any tips

[SquareDaff]

Have just fitted a set of tribars to my Boardman Hybrid Pro and after a couple of slightly unsteady miles seem to have got the hang of them. My reasons for fitting them were a) to go faster, b) to improve my pedalling technique and c) see if my slightly weak back would handle the stresses and strains of the lower position.

To my mind it's better to spend £20 on a set of bars rather than £100's on a road bike that I might not get on with. The reason for my posting.....are there any tips on setting these types or bars up (i.e. how far should I be leaning forward - should I feel slightly stretched etc..)

My setup at the moment seems OK. I admit to feeling slightly extended but have put that down to cycing in a new lower position. My speed and pedalling technique don't seem to be compromised apart from the fact that my knees now touch my beer gut - but I'm on a diet to rectify that

 

[fossyant]

Don't use them in traffic.

Tri bars are fine on a clear road, but get out of them near any traffic or dodgy side roads - you'll never reach the brakes in time.

I used to TT on my road bike with tri bars, pre aero bikes. A TT lo-pro wasn't any faster than a road bike equipped with tri bars and the same wheels. Now I suppose a carbon TT bike won't be much faster than the new aero road bikes, like the Venge or Foil.

 

[WychwoodTrev]

Can you post up a plc of you on the bike one from the side. One from the front then we will be able to give better feedback

 

[SquareDaff]

Can you post up a plc of you on the bike one from the side. One from the front then we will be able to give better feedback

I'll see if I can get those shots organised. Might be a while as I don't have them currently and no camera at work!

 

[SquareDaff]

Tri bars are fine on a clear road, but get out of them near any traffic or dodgy side roads - you'll never reach the brakes in time.

That's the theory I'm using! Not confident enough to use them anywhere but on a long straight stretch of road at the moment.

 

[endoman]

saw several sets in use in the Cheshire Cat, bonkers, dangerous in a group, especially with all those holes, and useless up the hills.

 

[SquareDaff]

I can't say I'd use them in a group - just because it takes an extra second to reach the brakes. That's long enough to be a potential disaster in the making!

 

[SquareDaff]

Quick update - I think my concern was all down to being in a lower position on the bike. Have been using the tri-bars for about 4 days now and the feeling of being "stretched" has disappeared. I actually feel quite comfortable and am able to put down power. No back/nech aches or other strains either. Really enjoying using them.