Aero Bars

[RockHopper5]

I think I'm going to be stuck using my mt bike for road riding for a while and I'd like to get the best performance I can out of it. Would putting aero bars or a flat bar on help me out? I don't know much about aero bars...would they work on a mt bike? Any other ideas? Thanks.

[TomT]

I don't know of any reason that would keep you from installing Aero Bars on a Mountain Bike. A flat bar would give you more mounting options, but I would think it would be easy to find a set of Aero Bars that would mount to a riser.

I put bar ends on my mountain bike for the purpose of road riding. I prefer the stretched out/longer reach, over the compact aero ride.

[RockHopper5]

I put bar ends on my mountain bike for the purpose of road riding. I prefer the stretched out/longer reach, over the compact aero ride.
Wouldn't bar ends defeat the purpose...I would guess you'd be more spread out (width) and that'd slow you down even more? Just a guess...

[TomT]

For me it is a matter of pedaling position, leaning farther forward instead of sitting up takes my upper body out of the wind and allows my legs to work more efficiently. Similar to riding a road bike in the drops rather than on the hoods.

Aero bars give you a more aero position, but you have less control and delayed access to brakes and shifting.

[RockHopper5]

I wonder if there is a place I could try the 2 out before I purchase one? I haven't used either before so I'm curious.

[okie29]

I ride a tandem with my wife--with aero bars. It's very air-efficient, and whenever I jump on the mtb for a road spin (to get to the trail), it's amazing how IN-efficient it is--wind-wise. Those big fat tires with the big knobs push a lot of air...

You can put aero bars on your rig, and it will help, but i'd also recommend putting the thinnest, baldest highest pressure tires on it that you can find.

But if you're going to invest a couple of hundred getting your dirt beast cleaned up for the road, why not just drop those bucks on a used road bike? Even a pawn shop schwinn would work well for the road...

[RockHopper5]

I ride a tandem with my wife--with aero bars. It's very air-efficient, and whenever I jump on the mtb for a road spin (to get to the trail), it's amazing how IN-efficient it is--wind-wise. Those big fat tires with the big knobs push a lot of air...

You can put aero bars on your rig, and it will help, but i'd also recommend putting the thinnest, baldest highest pressure tires on it that you can find.

But if you're going to invest a couple of hundred getting your dirt beast cleaned up for the road, why not just drop those bucks on a used road bike? Even a pawn shop schwinn would work well for the road...
I already have 1.25" slicks on my bike. I'd love to get a road bike but I can't seem to find one I can afford right now. I've got $50 into the tires and hopefully another $50 or so and I'm done. I figured my 1 year old mt bike is better than a 15 year old road bike...I hope.