Forget fancy carbon wheels, tri bars deliver the most speed for your spend

Compared to more desirable bike upgrades like deep-section wheels, carbon cranksets, electronic shifting and top-of-the-range frames, clip-on aerobars barely get a look in. 

But if you’re looking to eke out as much speed as possible for the lowest expenditure, it’s hard to ignore triathlon extensions. 

When we totted up how to get more aero on a bike on a budget, aerobars came out on top, providing a 102-second saving over 40km / 25mi at 45km/h / 28mph compared to our benchmark set-up in a wind tunnel. The reason for this is that triathlon extensions enable you to hold a very aerodynamic position pretty comfortably because the arm rests support your weight rather than your forearms.  

The margin over the best aero road helmets and best tri-suits was slim. In terms of seconds per dollar spent though, the aerobars comprehensively won – the Profile Design Sonic Ergo 39A we tested cost $190 / £149.99 while the Orca Apex Dream Kona tri-suit in question sets you back an additional $160. 

It’s likely that budget aerobars like the Van Rysel Long-Distance Triathlon Handlebar Extensions will be similarly fast as options costing several times more, so you don’t even have to break the $100 / £100 barrier. The payoff for cheaper extensions are adjustability and weight, a factor that isn’t often relevant in triathlon. 

As fast as the best triathlon race wheels may look and feel, due to their cost the time they save you is pretty poor value. To save several watts, you’ll also have to pay several thousand dollars or pounds. 

It’s worth bearing in mind that accessing the potential speed benefit of aerobars isn’t always simple. There’s a knack to installing them, so check our guide on how to fit aerobars to your bike if you’re unsure. And for the ultimate aero improvement from tri bars, a professional bike fit is a good idea. 

The versatility of aerobars

Across the different triathlon distances, training and racing on the same bike is becoming more and more popular. The best road bikes for triathlon are often cheaper, more practical and comfortable than triathlon bikes, and nearly as fast with a dialed set-up, including well configured aero bars. 

Once you’ve temporarily turned your road bike into a tri bike by fitting aero extensions, it’s much easier to train in your race set-up, which is a hugely important part of any triathlon training plan. Plus, on this same bike, you can join a cycling’s club group ride, provided you remove the aerobars first. 

By removing the need for a tri bike by using aerobars on your road bike, you save a lot of money and space at home. In a sport that can be as expensive as triathlon, that’s good news for your bank balance and your loved ones’ desire not to live in a multisport kit cupboard. 

Long-distance speed and comfort

If you ride your bike for more than just triathlon training and racing, aerobars have another benefit: long-distance comfort and efficiency.

The ability to rest your arms while maximising speed and minimising effort makes triathlons extensions popular among audaxers, gravel riders, tourers and bikepackers.

So if long bike rides form part of your off-season and base training or just fancy optimising your set-up for an adventure, you can put your racing aerobars to another use.