For those wanting to fit aero bars, Keep Pedalling now have Fred Bars in stock - they're not cheap but they do allow you to fit aero bars to a mountainbike with decent results.

https://keeppedalling.bigcartel.com/product/fred-bar

I can see the sense in that, but

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Wed Jul 21, 2021 9:16 pm they're not cheap

you're not kidding!

I recall they were not far off that years ago when bought directly but yes - not cheap.

is it just for the wee bar and the clamp or do you get the aero bars with it ?

If the former then Crikey, how much

Doesn't that put the aero bars awfully close to your knees? I can't see how you'd get a decent stretched position with them that close to the steerer tube.

They bring the aerobars closer and higher putting you in a comfy aero style position without the normal stress on the neck. Works really well. Knowing the price of low volume manufacturing its easy to see the cost, especially when they're shipped in as well.

ScotRoutes wrote: ↑Thu Jul 22, 2021 11:00 am Doesn't that put the aero bars awfully close to your knees? I can't see how you'd get a decent stretched position with them that close to the steerer tube.

I'm guessing the idea is that aero bars are designed to give you a really low stretched out (aerodynamic) position, but for the likes of us just looking for more comfort with MTB geometry, further up and back is probably better.

I've fitted aero bars to normal MTB bars and they do work, a bit. Worth one or two gears into a headwind. Even then though, they are nowhere near as low as they'd be on a road bike.

Whatever works, works. I'm just struggling to see it in this case

Current trend/thinking with aero bars on TT bikes is quite high though, using the hands to interrupt the airflow around the shoulders and face. Given the proportionally longer top tube on a mountain bike, I'd think these could end up pretty close to ideal? Not sure I've enough cash to buy some, but might get busy with the milling machine and TIG welder at some point to make an approximation

Knowing the price of low volume manufacturing its easy to see the cost, especially when they're shipped in as well.

yes but its half a stem [ or a seat post clamp] welded to a short piece of handlebar - the base materials are not going to cost more than a fiver [ or a tenner to me at shop prices] and then its one small weld - I reckon you could make it yourself for £30 or less if you can weld and have a machine.

I can get the same position using Zipp Vuka bars with 50mm riser kit as the arm rest clamp is separate to the bar clamp so can be moved further backwards (I've no doubt there are other bars that are similar) as per this photo:

Unless I'm missing the point (which wouldn't surprise me) SJS Cycles do bar extenders that are very strong and would do the same thing. I think.

Another one here who always thought they were more for comfort than aero

UnderTheRadars wrote: ↑Thu Jul 22, 2021 3:39 pm Another one here who always thought they were more for comfort than aero

That was my understanding, it's not so much aero, it's getting the weight off your hands.

Re: The bar extenders/accessory mounts above, I'm not sure I'd trust that for 10hrs a day down the GDMBR...

TheBrownDog wrote: ↑Thu Jul 22, 2021 3:01 pm Unless I'm missing the point (which wouldn't surprise me) SJS Cycles do bar extenders that are very strong and would do the same thing. I think.

Good spot, but unless your stem is longer than 55mm, you're not getting the aero bars any further back. Unless you run it backwards, but then I suspect it would be too far back.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Wed Jul 21, 2021 9:16 pm they're not cheap

They don't break the golden £1 per gram rule though...

SJS Cycles do bar extenders

£20 so I guess my pricing was fairly accurate
here if anyone is intereted

https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/accessories ... -mm-0-deg/

Ive got one of those SJS bar extender things and have run it under my handlebars on a few bikes to give clearance for the cables. It's a bloody great lump of a thing with chunky welds. I'd happily use it as a stem for aerobars.*


* If you do this and you die that's on you

Thought this was about Freddos. I'm out!