AEROBARS
If you want to make your bike faster, tri-bars should be one of your first purchases. Jack Sexty tests four…
PRIME NOOSA CARBON CLIP-ON
£119.99 These bars aren’t the best for non-drafting racing due to the reduced length and aero benefit, but we think they’re ideal for the job they’re intended for: draft-legal tri and long-distance cycling. At just 280g, they fit standard 31.8mm bars and the extensions are made from vibrationdampening unidirectional carbon. The pads are small and not very plush, but for short bursts on a draft-legal course this is all an elite triathlete needs. The extensions are cut away on each side so your thumbs sit comfortably, which is highly ergonomic. The narrow width means you can’t run a conventional out-front computer mount, so you’ll need a direct under-stem mount instead. The Noosa is also a great option for longdistance touring trips where you want a different position, and a riser kit is available to make this even more comfy. wiggle.co.uk
88%
VERDICT: SUPER LIGHT AND DRAFT-LEGALBARS THAT ARE HIGHLY ERGONOMIC AND REPRESENT GREAT VALUE
VISION TRIMAX CLIP-ON
£209.95 For the price, you might expect carbon on Vision’s Trimax bars. However, the aluminium extensions you do get have a pleasing shape in their J-bend formation (S-bend and JS bend options are available) and include everything you need for a high-end tri-bike set-up, or to attach to your road bike. For the former, there’s an adjustment guide on both ends to dial your position and do any necessary chopping if you need to route shifters through. There are also gaps for routing electronic gear cables. We ran the bars on our road bike and found the range of adjustment impressive. A removeable 10mm of stack came with the bars to lower or raise the forearms, and there’s plenty of adjustment at the armrests. The foam on the pads is large and will cradle your elbow and some of your forearm, ideal for longdistance tri. windwave.co.uk
76%
VERDICT: PLENTY OF ADJUSTMENT, BUT EXPENSIVE COMPARED TO THE REST AND USES ALUMINIUM INSTEAD OF CARBON
VAN RYSEL LD TRI EXTENSIONS
£34.99 These no-frills bars from Decathlon aren’t the comfiest, lightest or most adjustable, but for under £35 they’re a cheap way to upgrade your road bike. The clamp will fit 31.8mm or 26mm drop bars and the aluminium extensions have a measuring scale etched on so you can note your preferred length if you need to remove and reaffix. There’s also some armrest adjustability to achieve your preferred forearm position. We found the position we dialled in comfy enough for short efforts. The foam padding doesn’t cover much of your arm, so for middle to long distance, where you’ll often be in a fixed position, you might prefer bars that have larger, comfier pads. They weigh 490g for the pair, not even the heaviest in this test, although the extensions are quite short. Overall, it’s another bargain from the French brand. decathlon.co.uk
85%
VERDICT: EXTENSIONS THAT DO THE JOB IMPRESSIVELY AT A JAW-DROPPINGLY MINOR COST
PROFILE DESIGN SUPERSONIC ERGO 4525C
£219.99 The carbon ‘Supersonic’ version of Profile Design’s Sonic Ergo 4525a is pricier and a little lighter than the alloy model, weighing 559g for the pair plus attachments. If you want to combine with Profile Design’s riser kit for a higher stack, the Supersonic has slightly more adjustment with a max height of 138.5mm compared to the Sonic’s 130mm. Profile Design says over 1,000 positions are achievable in total, so settling around the middle, with the S-bend extensions at a slight upwards curve, we found the bars fine to use without tape for shorter distances. The pads are firm, but comfy enough for extended periods. If you’re adding them to your tri-specific bike there are inserts for routing shifters, and the bar ends can be removed. Profile Design also says these bars can be used for draft-legal triathlon by shortening. freewheel.co.uk
78%
VERDICT: YES, THEY’RE EXPENSIVE, BUT THEY ALSO OFFER AN IMPRESSIVE LEVEL OF ADJUSTMENT