Cookster15
Moderator
I recall similar. As far as tri bars, these became in vogue in that sport when Dave Scott used the first Scott DH aerobar at the Hawaii ironman (1987). Lemond's legendary TT ride to win the Tour was '89.From what I understand...
Disc wheels started in the mid 80s, and I think the first aerobikes were designed for the 1984 Olympics on track.
Later 80s were when tri bars were first used, famously by LeMond.
After that was when the whole TT specialist bikes and "aero" components kicked off in a short time frame. Bike design started to get crazy in early 90s and aero was being pushed like mad and whole TT setups were different down to frames.
Might be off by a year or a few but I *think* that has some basis in reality at least.
Before aerobars became in vogue in that sport pros used traditional TT bikes with bullhorn handlebars and discs - probably similar as teams used for specific specialised TT bikes in professional cycling. Triathlon being a newer sport people weren't afraid to experiment - hence the Scott DH bars revolutionized that sport. In fact people experimented to the point of ridiculousness and the industry obliged - there was a thread devoted to that.
I think triathletes also discovered that supporting the upper body on the aerobar rests meant less fatigue carried into the run leg. But of course for road and track it was the watts savings from the lower and flatter position.