Simulated Tri-bars

[Red Rick]

stupid rule would be stupidly stupid

 

[rgmerk]

Is banned at club level

I'm pretty sure that at amateur club level here in Oz it is banned on the basis that you have to keep your hands on the bars. Victory salutes are illegal for the same reason. I certainly wouldn't be keen to follow the wheel of anyone trying either, given the crappy bumpy open roads we race on.

Pros on closed roads, different matter. Pros fall off a fair amount, but I can't recall it being due to this technique.

 

[oaklegs]

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.

Anyone taking their hands off the bars to say 'look at me I am the winner' gets penalised in our bike club races too. Makes sense to me.

 

[oaklegs]

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.

There are many accidents at feeding stations and our Phil usually makes us aware of that. However sorry about the ommission of the 'NO' option in the poll, some very 'angry birds' out there. I think the real problem is when young beginners see these pros doing such things they will try and copy them with disastrous results.

 

[oaklegs]

stupid rule would be stupidly stupid

Oh please don't participate if you can't think of something sensible to say, it just takes up space like yourself.

 

[uphillstruggle]

I have used this position when riding on my own and it does make you more aero but generally I think it should be banned in amateur racing as some people need no help crashing. The pros only use it when on the front of the bunch and when off the front alone.

There is no way they should allow short tri bars in road races, that's the worst idea ever. 1) You are as far away from you brakes as you can be, pretty much. 2) they are twitchy as hell in cross winds. 3) There are more 'sticky out bits' on the bikes for people to land on. 4) Anything that gets more time triallers into road racing is a bad idea

 

[gerundium]

Seriously? Tri bars are banned in mass start races for a reason, they pose a danger. IAB position has been used for a long time and is not inherently unsafe if you aren't a dumbass, especially among pro's who know very well when and when not to use it.

When i am riding myself i'll use this position pretty often on long, smooth and flat straights (don't use it on concrete slab roads, you'll bounce of the bar indeed)

Banning it is unneccesary, and opens up a whole new can of worms. Like what about this?

should we ban this too? he can't reach the brakes!

Or what about riding the tops, can't reach the brakes there either?

This is a bit of a silly argument if you ask me anyway, because i can't remember a crash that has been caused by IAB or could have been avoided if the rider wasn't doing IAB.

 

[Cancellator]

I think the real problem is when young beginners see these pros doing such things they will try and copy them with disastrous results.

I agree there's no place for it in beginner racing or club rides. But the point about copying the pros is not really valid, because lots of the stuff they do shouldn't be copied by a beginner(descending at crazy speeds, victory salutes, holding onto cars, riding on the track with a baby in your arms like I saw at the track WC etc.), and that is true for most sports. I don't see how "IAB" stands out from other things.

 

[therhodeo]

I get in the IAB position alot. Either when I'm alone or on the front of the group taking a pull. You'd have to be an idiot to do it in a bunch or when you're in someones draft. I know guys in our group who can't understand how I get in the position. Same guys who don't get how you can ride with no hands or go down a hill at 50mph. Probably best that they not try. If the position is uncomfortable for you or you feel unsafe you should probably stay out of it. That doesn't mean that its unsafe for everyone else.

 

[max_powers]

what if one still has the older Shimano STI levers with the exposed cable housing right there to hang on to? much safer.

If there is a hand on bar at all times rule, how does one remove a jacket?

 

[Cancellator]

I get in the IAB position alot. Either when I'm alone or on the front of the group taking a pull. You'd have to be an idiot to do it in a bunch or when you're in someones draft. I know guys in our group who can't understand how I get in the position. Same guys who don't get how you can ride with no hands or go down a hill at 50mph. Probably best that they not try. If the position is uncomfortable for you or you feel unsafe you should probably stay out of it. That doesn't mean that its unsafe for everyone else.

I think it's your modesty that gives you those abilities

 

[Fetisoff]

This poll needs a third option

"This poll sucks" would be a good one

 

[WinterRider]

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.

I have hit the deck at 60kph doing this maneuver. I put my head down for 2 seconds while off the front in a club race, and when it came up I was heading straight for a massive pot hole which put me spectacularly into the ditch.

I still think your suggestion is a bad one. I continue to use this position, and I see no good reason to ban it. My crash was caused by inattention on a bad road and it served me right. But it is a valid way to ride a bike. To win at bike racing you often are pushing the limits, on corners, on descents, in a sprint, why would you pick on this technique over all of those. How many crashes have you seen from the use of this technique vs in mass sprints? Maybe we should ban mass sprints too! And descents, corning, and riding in the rain or on cobbles.

 

[therhodeo]

I think it's your modesty that gives you those abilities

Its not that hard if you're reasonably flexible and can actually support yourself on your bike with your core.

For everyone else. http://www.backupbarz.com

 

[simo1733]

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.

I have used this position many times and don't find it unstable ,unless you hit a pot hole in which case you are toast.

 

[Cancellator]

Its not that hard if you're reasonably flexible and can actually support yourself on your bike with your core.

For everyone else. http://www.backupbarz.com

Lol those look like they will murder you if you crash on them.

 

[therhodeo]

Lol those look like they will murder you if you crash on them.

I can't imagine getting over 10mph sitting that upright anyway.

 

[goggalor]

Cycling needs less triathlon influence, not more. And by that I mean dump TT bikes altogether.

 

[oaklegs]

Seriously? Tri bars are banned in mass start races for a reason, they pose a danger. IAB position has been used for a long time and is not inherently unsafe if you aren't a dumbass, especially among pro's who know very well when and when not to use it.

When i am riding myself i'll use this position pretty often on long, smooth and flat straights (don't use it on concrete slab roads, you'll bounce of the bar indeed)

Banning it is unneccesary, and opens up a whole new can of worms. Like what about this?

should we ban this too? he can't reach the brakes!

Or what about riding the tops, can't reach the brakes there either?

This is a bit of a silly argument if you ask me anyway, because i can't remember a crash that has been caused by IAB or could have been avoided if the rider wasn't doing IAB.

Not a lot wrong with the photographed position on a downhill run, I have seen worse like sitting on the top bar etc. and he does have a good grip on the bars. The type of aero bar I was suggesting was used a few years ago by tour riders and it comprised of a short round device with no pointed bits and it projected about 150mm from the extension but they could grip it firmly.

 

[RiccoDinko]

OP, You poll should include "Learn how to ride"

 

[oaklegs]

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

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

Rather rude Panda thingy, but as you are probably only about 12 years old and I am 75 I shall accept your silly remark anyway. Maybe when you have lost some skin due to another persons stupidity you will grow up a bit.

 

[oaklegs]

OP, You poll should include "Learn how to ride"

Well junior member when you grow up and ride with the big boys you will understand the finer points of losing skin due to another riders stupid actions.

 

[Parrulo]

oh i am old and wise any1 that says i am wrong is young and dumb.

pfff face it, your poll is stupid because it lacks options which you don't agree with.

 

[Fetisoff]

oh i am old and wise any1 that says i am wrong is young and dumb.

pfff face your poll is stupid because it lacks options which you don't agree with.

No ****, that's quite a way to start up on the forum.

- Start a thread that's.... well let's call if controversial
- Insult other members
.....
- PROFIT

 

[karlboss]

50 posts, 4 votes, does this imply that there are in fact 46 votes for don't ban the position and maintain the ban on the bars?