Combating head wind on LFP with aero bars?

I've been biking a lot on the lake front path for the past few months both for exercise and recently to start commuting to work. I find it aggravating to have to slog it out in the head wind that always seems to be coming at me going one way or the other. I see lots of guys zipping up and down the path using aero bars and I'm wondering if I can get some real world opinions about using them. Years ago, I had one of those cheapo Scott clip-on aero bars like LeMond used back when he won the Tour de France back in '89. Anyway, I didn't really like those particular bars for various reasons but I do like the new design Profile Aerostryke bars. I realize a lot of guys are probably riding the bars simply for training purposes for time trials or triathlons, but I'm wondering how many people use them for commuting or exercising and do you actually feel that they make it easier to slog through those headwinds? For now, I just hunker down in the drops but I feel like maybe aero bars would at least be possibly a bit more comfortable even if they didn't necessarily improve the aerodynamics that much more. Opinions anyone?

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Permalink Reply by Spartacus on August 31, 2011 at 2:40pm

Aerobars would(in theory) make you more aerodynamic and thus make it easier to "slog" through the headwinds. 

But it will also have a lot of downsides based on what you said:

1. less of a workout, as you are using aerodynamics and not fitness to go faster

2. less control of the bike. clip ons will not have brakes or shifters. plus moving your weight forward will make the bike more twitchy. 

3. possibly less comfort. If you use them, starting out you might find a lot of stress on your back, shoulders, and arms. This might not change and might require a different fit then normal on your bike.

 

I would advise you to skip them. If your goal is fitness and you aren't planning on doing time trials or triathlons, it is counter productive and your money is better spent. If your goal is commuting on the lake front, they make it harder for you to control your bike. This makes it dangerous for you and others. 

Permalink Reply by Tank-Ridin' Ryan on August 31, 2011 at 3:36pm
Wind is Chicago's hills - enjoy the workout.
Permalink Reply by S on August 31, 2011 at 4:51pm
Skip the aerobars, they make things more twitchy and you have less control and they don't really help if you're going less than 21 or 22mph relative to the wind.  The last thing you want on the LFP is to have a more twitchy bike with less control, given the typical load of runners, bladers, cyclists and random people.
Permalink Reply by Andrew Petersen on September 2, 2011 at 4:55am

If anything, just leave a couple minutes earlier and pace yourself. The wind will always be there, and aero or not, you're just riding to work. If it was part of your work out and you were training for a race, then go for it. Otherwise, Ryan has it right - enjoy the workout.

Permalink Reply by Liz on September 2, 2011 at 5:13am

I'm always nervous about the people in aeros going 25+ on the lfp, especially when its crowded. They do not have the reaction times and control for the hectic conditions on the trail. For slow speed there's isn't much benefit. 

 

If you find yourself struggling, maybe adjusting your gear set and spinning in a lower gear would be better, you'll move slightly slower, but if you're just commuting what's another 5 miuntes? 

 

Another option is to move inland, when I lived near belmont/lft I would take stockton south instead of the path on windy days.  It was pleasant to ride on, and has much less wind. 

Permalink Reply by Tim S on September 2, 2011 at 5:24am
well said!

Tank-Ridin' Ryan said:
Wind is Chicago's hills - enjoy the workout.
Permalink Reply by Andy Bassett on September 2, 2011 at 6:02am

sorry I don't have any real advice, but I will offer my sympathy -

I remember using my T-shirt as a sail to glide along the lake front on my rollerblades a few years back (fun as long as you want to go WITH the wind)

Now I live out in the cornfields west of Joliet, and have decided that if the wind's not blowing in your face, it's not blowing!

I don't have aeros and I often ride my mountain bike around the dirts roads out here.  Flat bars are definitly worse than drops, but nothing's really good...like others have said, its an extra work out...learn to love it!

Permalink Reply by TP on September 2, 2011 at 7:16am
I usually have aero bars on my bike and the only time I ever consider using them on the LFP is on Christmas morning when there's only a small number of hardcore athletes out there.
Permalink Reply by Ruby Red on September 2, 2011 at 11:06am
I'm sorry, but what is an areo bar? Can someone post a relevant photo?
Permalink Reply by Josh on September 3, 2011 at 8:02am

I just put my hands together on the top bars and tuck. the aeros are nice if you're staying in that position for a long time... I have a couple different aeros if you're interested PM me.

 

--(the last time I bailed was horsing around with those bars. I don't usually use them, turned around to say something to my wife and turned the bike into the curb--- sheesh)

Permalink Reply by BikeBoy5 on September 6, 2011 at 1:16am

Can any tell me why the wind is in my face on my commute to work and in my face on my way back home?

 

BikeBoy5

Permalink Reply by Kevin C Dormant on September 6, 2011 at 2:26pm
On windy days, it will feel like a headwind twice as often as a tailwind. If you imagine a clock face, it feels like a tailwind anytime the wind is out of a direction between 4 and 8 (20 mins.). It will feel like a headwind anytime the wind is out of a direction between 8 and 4 (40 mins.).

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