Simulated Tri-bars

[oaklegs]

A few years ago the practice of using small tri-bars on road bikes was allowed in major road events.
Then the practice was apparently banned for safety reasons. However now we see top bike riders such as Tom Boonen riding with their forearms on the top of the handlebars in a simulated tri-bar position. I have also seen it happening in the front of the peleton at times.

Having tried this position myself I have found it to be extremely uncomfortable and what is more it is extremely dangerous as it takes a while to get to a brake lever and if one were to hit a bump then the bike would be completely out of control.

Therefore I would like to see this practice outlawed by race managers before a serious accident occurs resulting in a mass pile up.
Bring back the small tri-bars as they were much safer.

 

[Netserk]

Haven't you seen Canc doing it tons of times I really can't see the danger.

 

[Michele]

We're talking of pro, guys who do it as their job.
UCI has enough silly rules; adding a ban to "simulated tri bar position" would be over the top.

 

[euanli]

It takes the same amount of time to move your hands from that position as it does from hands on the flats of the bars. Going to ban people from riding like that as well?

 

[meat puppet]

We're talking of pro, guys who do it as their job.
UCI has enough silly rules; adding a ban to "simulated tri bar position" would be over the top.

Agreed. And since there are no actual bars involved, the problem of them being tangled up in the bunch is also eliminated.

 

[boomcie]

Lol... What are we even discussing?

 

[iZnoGouD]

stupid poll

 

[Panda Claws]

This poll has 2 options, both of them are bad.

You should add an "I don't know what I am talking about." option.

 

[Zam_Olyas]

ban riding on footpath to escape from cobbles is my option

 

[raddone]

Bring back the small tri-bars as they were much safer.

Is there any statistic to prove or disprove this claim?

 

[jsem94]

Regulate the bikes themselves - fine.

Regulate the way cyclists position themselves on their bikes - no.

 

[Magnus]

Legalize Spinaci!

 

[maltiv]

After watching a bit too much of Cancellara's dominance, I overused this position a lot for a while. Until I hit a small bump on the road and crashed heavily. Since then I've kept my hands on the handlebars

 

[Machu Picchu]

Ban it and ban riders from celebrating before the line and a life time ban for Peter Sagan for that wheelie he pulled on the Angliru last year, but can I ask how many crashes has there been due to the 'simulated tri-bar position'

 

[Magnus]

Ban it and ban riders from celebrating before the line and a life time ban for Peter Sagan for that wheelie he pulled on the Angliru last year, but can I ask how many crashes has there been due to the 'simulated tri-bar position'

Counting maltiv's at least one

 

[trevim]

Cancellara doesn't need those. His upper body don't move at all.

I've tried that too but in the end it's just to discomfortable to use for a long time. But on a flat road I can certainly note the difference in speed.

 

[oaklegs]

After watching a bit too much of Cancellara's dominance, I overused this position a lot for a while. Until I hit a small bump on the road and crashed heavily. Since then I've kept my hands on the handlebars

Thanks for that mate, there appears to be a lot of road rage here among this lot. I wonder how many have actually hit the tarmac at 60kph, it can be rather painful and especially so when it is due to someone elses stupidity. If you are fortunate enough to have 4 fingers and a thumb on each hand as I have, then I have always felt it much safer to use them and I suggest you do the same as one day you may come unstuck.

 

[Polyarmour]

The simulated tri bar position is banned at my local races as is taking your hands off the handlebars. I think the general view is that the simulated tri bar position is an inherently unstable position that requires a great deal of skill to keep under control.

 

[Richeypen]

So the the question is 'Should simulated tri-bar position be banned?', but there is no option to vote NO. Great poll

 

[jens_attacks]

So the the question is 'Should simulated tri-bar position be banned?', but there is no option to vote NO. Great poll

same what i was thinking...

 

[Cancellator]

If that should be banned how about all the stuff domestiques are doing with bags, bottles, etc. etc., mostly with no hands on the bars?

You can't possibly enforce such a ban anyway. They are pros, they know what they are doing. Plus, every time I see someone doing that position on the TV, he is alone or in a very small group.

 

[jsem94]

If that should be banned how about all the stuff domestiques are doing with bags, bottles, etc. etc., mostly with no hands on the bars?

You can't possibly enforce such a ban anyway. They are pros, they know what they are doing. Plus, every time I see someone doing that position on the TV, he is alone or in a very small group.

True. You don't need it sitting in the middle of the peloton anyway.

 

[hatcher]

It is an interesting point though that a safety measure has apparently created more unsafe riding.

But as others have said, if you start regulating positions due to safety concerns the simulated tri-bar is a long way down the list.

 

[jsem94]

It is an interesting point though that a safety measure has apparently created more unsafe riding.

Such is the law of unintended consequences.

 

[hatcher]

Such is the law of unintended consequences.

Indeed. It would be a good exercise to see just how dangerous a position could be created by introducing more and more safety measures.