[SpartyGirl]

Okay, it's finally time for the bike purchase. Serious price negotiations are going on in my house. I am drawn to tri-bikes, like wipe the drool from my mouth drawn to them. I have noticed that my main reason for looking at them is the handlebars-not the aerobars, but the uprights (rather than drops like on the road bikes).<br><br>
My question, can you get upright bars put on a road bike? <img alt="confused.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/confused.gif"> I know this sounds weird, but I would rather be tucked into aero or stretched out on upright handlebars that feeling like I'm going to smash my head on the ground in drops. They make me nervous.<br><br>
Thanks!

 

[jroden]

Sure, they are called cowhorn bars. The problem is where to mount the shifters, though. Why not work this out a little better before you make your purchase decision, as the bars on the bike impact how your hips sit, which impacts the type of bike you buy--i.e. you buy a specific type of bike (tri vs road) depending if you plan to use aero bars or road bars. Riding around on cowhorns would be less safe and comfortable and not very aero, I'd really reconsider this one a little.

 

[SpartyGirl]

Ah, cowhorns. Thanks JR, I knew you could come through for me<img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> Wanna drive to Michigan this weekend and go bike shopping?

 

[jroden]

No, the OSU alumni association would not let me enter that state.<br><br>
Take this bit of advice, though--don't buy a "Tri" type bike with aero bars if you intend to ride around mostly out of the aero bars, the bike will handle worse, will be difficult to control and will hammer your crotch, plus be less comfortable. If you don't wish to use aero bars, buy a road bike with normal road bars and learn how to use them, they are very safe and effective, I've spent half my adult life with a pair in my hands in all weather and event in the woods--no worries.

 

[hobey]

<br>
Boo...hiss....re OSU <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
Alicia: Listen to JR. I have a tri bike....I love riding in aero though it took me a while to get used to handling them that I questioned my purchase for the first few months. Keep in mind that the shifters are mounted to the aerobars on most tri bikes so shifting is a tricky proposition if you intend to ride mostly upright. A lot of roadies I know here only go in the drops when they want to lay the hammer down or go downhill. Many ride with their hands midway up the bar or even on the top. In fact, I think JulieB's bike has a second set of brakes mounted on the top of her bars.

 

[fox-runr]

Would anyone base their decision on whether they ride alone or as a group?<br><br>
I know in my area, it isn't appreciated if you show up for a group ride on a tri bike unless you want to ride out of aero