what shape do you use, J or S? Not for TT racing, just for having a choice of position

I have these...
https://www.amazon.com/Profile-Design-A ... B000K1KO4G

Suit me with elbow widths available (not too narrow either), not too low and the arm rests flip up when not in use. I can put a bottle or something on top of the arms, and/or hang something below and fix a light on the front bend.

Oval A900 carbon single bend. Long time preference from my TT and IM days.

On my touring bike I have them for comfort, not speed and have s-bend ones. J-bend ones would probably be better as they'd allow my whole hand to rest on the end without bending my wrists so much. I'll change them at some point but it's not that big a deal.

Got sbend want ski bend. (On an MTB that is)

That said for clip ons for the road bike I always used jammer GT. Shape.

My TT bike has flat s bends. It rarely does more than 25miles though !

Deda Parabolica Uno (so J bend) here, angled in at the top is the most natural position for me.

Tri bars are only acceptable in an Audax if their sole use is to mount a 3" diameter rear view mirror, or a red cover 1 inch series Ordnance Survey map and route card. Fact.

Dunno non of the old guard used to mind drafting me into a headwind. - I'd only ever use them on the front or on my own mind.

Used to have Ski-Ramp style (single bend) on my TT bike, for long distance triathlons. Changed to S-bend when that was fashionable - big mistake, especially for longer rides, where it was extremely uncomfortable for no advantage... I think most of the pros have also ditched that fad-bar!

Looking at some lightweight clip-on USE Boost bars (or similar) for occasional use on my new 'Gravel Bike'.

It seems most of the Tour Divide ahem Rigs with extensions are J too

a simpler way to think about it would be - hands natural position.

you dont want to be straining the wrists for a long time to sit on S bends.

Had them on this year.

If it’s a flat course then they can be of use, but anything hilly you might as not bother, as there isn’t the opportunity to use them.
They take quite a bit of setting up so try them before any event.

How long an Audax though ?

One is 420km, one is 525km. I guess they'll both have hilly bits and not hilly bits

The issue I found is that unless you’re on flat roads I couldn’t make the most of them. Found it inefficient to use them whilst climbing, plus there’s a reasonable weight penalty.

Unless you have shifters on the bar ends using them on undulating sections is also inefficient as you’ll always be in the wrong gear.

You can always borrow mine for a few months to have a try?
(Well, when I say mine, they’re actually Stu’s)

I've found them really helpful. I bought the ski pole style selcof ones from Planet X. £20 I think.

Wished I'd fitted them for the TD and used them on LEL. I found I got used to climbing/descending on them and anytime when in cruising-mode. A handy place to mount my gps as well! I've taken them off for local rides but to be honest anytime I get a straight I wish they were still fitted. At £20 a go why not try them out.