[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference noted::bicycle

Title: Bicycling
Notice:Bicycling for Fun
Moderator:JAMIN::WASSER
Created:Mon Apr 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:3214
Total number of notes:31946

1902.0. "Sizing Clip-on Bars" by MAVIC::D_MOORE () Fri Apr 12 1991 10:58

  I like the new Scott clip-on bars and am considering getting them.  However,
  they come in four sizes -- 11 inch, 12, 13, and 14.  How do you go about
  determining the right size?  I have also just put on a 1 cm longer stem, in
  order to be a little more stretched out.  I don't want to compound that by
  getting the wrong size clip-ons.  Any advice?  Thanks.
								- Dave
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1902.1My $.02WFOVX8::SISEWFOOFF::SISE, dtn 242-2447Fri Apr 12 1991 11:3921
    Not knowing much about this, and being in the market myself.....
    
    If the SIZE is the length of the bar from "tip" to end of the tube
    where one would mt. the pad ... Then I think the following would
    work.
    
    Take your arm and place your ebow on your desk with your hand pointing
    up in a position similar to holding a screw driver (this is the angle
    your wrist would be in when holding the bar), then look at where the 
    pad should be located on your forearm.
    
    Measure from the desk to your index finger height then subtract 2.5"
    (the pad location is not @ the very end of your arm).
    
    I come up with about 14", and I am 6' tall....
    
    Some bars come in different widths as well....
    
    Now how about from an expert???  Am I off base?  
    
    John_who_would_also_like_to_know
1902.2Its not easy sizing these thingsBCSE::KLASMANALL-IN-1 DESKtop for PCs. dtn 381-0731Sat Apr 13 1991 11:4252
                      <<< Note 1902.0 by MAVIC::D_MOORE >>>
                            -< Sizing Clip-on Bars >-


The box that the new Scott clip-ons comes in has a sizing chart on the back.
You stand the box upright on a table, then rest your elbow on the table with
your forearm along the box.  You make a fist with your wrist straight, not
angled in any way.  Where you first knuckle hits the box indicates the size.
Not very helpful if you want to buy them mailorder.

I used the box's sizing chart to buy a pair, but they turned out to be longer
than what I wanted.  It depends a lot on where you want the armrests to be
located. I don't like the Scott armrests, and use Profile for Speed armrests
with tall clamps from their clip-on bar mounted on the handlebar outside of
the aero bar.  Scott armrests are designed to be mounted on the ero bar
itself, which moves them forward of the handlebar, which for me, would require
a shorter stem and a longer bar than I have settled on.

Sizing and positioning aero bars is a real pain.  There are so many factors to
consider.  I'm using an adjustable stem which has about 4" of fore/aft travel
to help me determine my position.  I think this is an invaluable tool if you
really want to get the position right.  The steps I'd follow are:

1 - Establish arm rest position.  Since I put them on the handlebar, I had to
use the adjustable stem to change the handlebar's fore/aft position until I
got it right.

2 - Now figure out how long an aero bar you need.  Here's where the Profile
and Mavic clip-ons are handy, since they're adjustable for length.  Since I
was using the Scott's, I just tried the size that they suggested, and finding
that too long, went down a size.  Good thing that worked, since I'm now using
the shortest bar they make (11").

If you're serious about finding the "right" position and are really concerned
about performance, read the article in the latest Bicycling mag about the far
forward seat position when riding aero bars.  Its states that just adding aero
bars and leaving your seat position alone causes you to lose power, unless
you're willing to slide far forward on the seat to get a better position.
This is what I used to do, but my crotch really didn't appreciate it.
Instead, moving your seat 6cm forward re-establishes the proper power position
and angles for your legs.  I've done basically this, and find that it seems to
work for me.

Of course, if you move your seat forward, the handlebars must go forward too,
and you may find that you can use a lower and/or longer stem due to the change
in your hip angle.  Am I ever glad I've got that adjustable stem!

Good luck,

Kevin... who's probably put 20k miles on aero bars...


1902.3deja vueOLDTMR::BROWNWed Apr 17 1991 23:549
    Kevin,
    thanks for sharing the experiences with the other vendor's taller
    armrests... i was looking for such a solution.  i had similar
    sizing difficulties... ended up returning one size for the next smaller
    scott aerobars... i was fairly close to a dividing line on their chart.
    i think i finally torqued the hell out of mine to get them to stay put
    on the bars.
    _Kratz