Audax rides

Doubt it's the bike. BCM always gave me knee pain as well. You should be fine. I recovered for PBP. Just take or easy.

Bit of both like I said.

Are any of you using aerobars for long audaxes and long distance racing? Extra positions sound good, and LEL has plenty of flat kms.

Are there any good options that leave the tops usable?

Yes, and yes.

Best option IMHO are ones which allow the pads to flip up to leave the tops accessible. I've got 3T Clip On aerobars on my TCR bike.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/3t-clip-on-pro-kit/rp-prod55144

They are not spring-loaded, which I prefer. I've also got some older Profile ones on another bike, which are spring-loaded, so you have to push them down with your elbows each time.

Bit of a change to Audax this weekend, I'm riding Vatternrundan in Sweden on Saturday. Slightly worried about the pace for a 300k, average speed seems to be about 18mph, which is a ridiculous jump from my Audax pace. That said it looks pan flat on closed roads, and is probably a bit like Ride London where you get caught up in the pace.

Don't get sucked in...

There's a hall of fame? Maybe I should've started audax sooner instead of spending 5 years riding up and down A roads? :)

Which guy were you? The one with the old style bike?

#notarace - evidenced by the 24 hours spent in controls watching poor @scultura 's ankles slowly go supernova...

You are Ben Goldacre AICMFP ;)

Yes, yes, Zipp Vuka, Profile Designs...

Depends where you need the pads. I can still use the tops with the Zipp Vukas so will probably keep them (if I ever get this stupid bike).

Yes, other people have said that.

Maybe it might work if you're taller? For me, i'd actually like to have the pads lower than the tops to get my positions right on each.

I spent ages looking at weird options like butterfly bars or rotated drops, but gave up and settled for having the pads slammed down against the tops.

Are any of you using aerobars for long audaxes and long distance racing? Extra positions sound good, and LEL has plenty of flat kms.

Oh yes: http://www.greenbank.org/misc/IMG_0228.JPG

Are there any good options that leave the tops usable?

I used normal Profile Century bars on top of bullhorns. Plenty of hand positions even though the pads don't flick up, and if I was really lazy I'd ride along holding the pads themselves.

Just remember that aerobars/tribars aren't allowed on PBP, so I took mine off for all of the qualifiers that year so I could get used to not having them.

Which guy were you? The one with the old style bike?

Yep.

if I was really lazy I'd ride along holding the pads themselves#

I've done plenty of miles when climbing like that (with non-flip pads), but don't you find it gets your wrists after a while?

Also you might want to use a shorter stem with the aerobars, which puts the tops so close, you'll rather be on the hoods than on the tops. But depends on the model of the aerobars, on some of them you can get the arm rests further back than others.

I make an effort to move my hands around often. Necessary habit when not having to faff with gear changes.

Cheers. I will see if I can get hold of a few to look at in person.

Any recommendations on handlebar widths? I have 42cm bars (outside to outside) which don't seem to leave a lot of space.

I ride 42cm C-C. It depends on what's comfortable. I wouldn't change what I've used for 20 years just to suit some aerobars. I'd adapt the aerobars.

Any recommendations on handlebar widths? I have 42cm bars (outside to outside) which don't seem to leave a lot of space.

That's the downside. But you have to be creative: I've got my light mounted on a bit of broom handle wedged between my aerobars. And you can mount a garmin between the bars easily enough.

Carbon seatpost tube filed down and zip-tied to extensions so Garmins and lights can mount between the bars.

I was about to reply to that pm but...

Loads of room under the bars there, surely your sleeping bag would strap in somehow (no need to faff getting in/out of it during the day) Tools/food in the frame bag, electrics in a top tube bag, clothes + bivvy bag + jacket in the rear bag...?

You mean under the extensions, length ways? The light sits under the cross-bar bit that's holding the Garmins. On the new bike (if it's ever finished, Captain Disc Brake Hater) the light will be on the brake mount so this option will work I guess. I'd need a new drybag for it though.

Thinking the sleep pad could go sideways under the extensions, in front of the tops.

Whatever is easiest to fit/refit... Jesse's one above/one below seemed to work...

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0201/1062/files/Frame_SideLG_1024x1024.jpg?7132289404617441341

Yeah, on that Kinesis ^ the light is in the way. On the New Improved™ Kinesis JC's attachment might be better. Need more straps... I like the look of those fat straps he's using.