Want to save time on the bike without upgrading to a dedicated tri bike? Clip-on bars are one solution, which help by reducing your frontal profile. Our wind-tunnel testing in 2021 showed that using aerobars can save you a not insignificant 102secs over a 40km bike leg when riding at 45km/h. Get the correct position and you can also increase your power output for further gains.
What’s more, comfort can be increased via the use of aerobars, but it’s vital to get the right fit. Otherwise, your power and comfort can be compromised. That’s why adjustability in aerobars is so useful, as it allows you to get the right fit for you. To truly home in on the best position, think about getting a bike fit. In the meantime, we put four sets of clip-on aerobars to the test…
PROFILE DESIGN SONIC ERGO 39A
Promising ‘100 distinct position options’ via the armrests and 1,500 configurations with the additional riser kit, Profile’s Sonic Ergo 39A is a versatile offering for those looking to dial in a great fit and elevate their tri-bar setup to the next level on a sensible budget.
The aluminium 39A is one of many different bar shapes and sizes you can pair with the Sonic bracket and Ergo armrests, and this one has a 39° upwards tilt. There are markings to accurately set the fore/aft position, and if you want to use them on a tri bike there are cable guides to accommodate shifters.
Fitting was simple on my road bike and I’m a big fan of how many different bolt holes you get on the armrests to achieve the best fit. Having your elbows and forearms squeezed too narrow or spread too wide because your set-up won’t allow for the necessary adjustments is irritating, so the number of options increases your chances of finding the perfect set-up and ride through your bike leg comfortably. The total weight for the bracket, armrests and bars is 564g.
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How to Carb Load - Packing your working cells with carbohydrates in the build-up to your big race is a proven strategy to race stronger and faster...
Whichever distance triathlon you're racing, the intensity and duration of your activity will see your body tap into its stores of carbohydrates (in the form of glycogen) to power your effort. While it's possible to top up your tank on the go, it's better to start your event with your stores full to the brim.
The Olympic Champion - On 31 July, Great Britain's Alex Yee put together arguably the greatest one-day performance we have ever seen at an Olympic Games to win gold. And we were there at the finish line to speak to tri's new poster boy...
The opening line of the race report read how 20 years on from New Zealand’s first and only Olympic triathlon gold medal, Hayden Wilde had put in a careerbest performance to regain the title for his nation. Then Alex Yee comes around the corner.Yee’s charge, seemingly from nowhere on the final lap of the 10km run in Paris, didn’t just help him become the most decorated Olympic male triathlete of all time, and didn’t just cap a rivalry that has been building for six years, it left seasoned watchers of swim, bike, run in awe. It will go down as one of the greatest triathlon races; Yee, still just 26, as one of the greatest triathletes. His medals from Paris added to the two from Tokyo, leaving his haul at two gold, a silver and a bronze, and counting.
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