Since starting riding again (several years ago), anything longer than about 15 miles, especially when commuting with work laden back pack, was aggravating an old shoulder injury often leading to pins and needles and culminating in me waving my arm by my side every few miles to try to ease the pain. A bike fit initially helped, or certainly allowed me to ride longer and further without aggravating it, but, as anyone who has dislocated a shoulder(s) will probably know too much pressure in one place makes it hurt. I can't remember when it was but I happened to stumble across Farr or Ridefarr a company who specialise in making endurance inspired bike solutions aimed at making riding more enjoyable, easier and faster. At the time being and being pre lockdown I had several 200 mile in a day rides planned for charity and was considering getting a set of tri bars just to allow me to adjust my body position a bit more. Having seen a number of ultra distance riders opting for this configuration and personally finding myself stretching out into that position mid commute with my forearms resting on the bars if my shoulder was starting to hurt it made sense. During my trip bar search I stumbled across the Farr AeroGravel bar, I think on Instagram, a flared drop bar with an intergrate aero traingle welded out front, it looked really interesting and certainly seemed to tick a box. Typically unless you're planning on weight saving new bars wouldn't have been something that I would ever have considered, but the Aero Gravel bar seemed to be a great solution to the problem I had in terms of sore shoulders, but actually I think the benefits are more than that, i've found the positioning more ergonomic than most other bars with the wide flare. Yes i still use the hoods and the drops, but when im climbing or just relaxing on the bike i'm using the aero section. I'd probably liken it to when you're resting you arms on the table in front of you, you naturally (or at least i do) position your hands closer together, and for that reason it's my default position. Arguably comfort is probably the first reason to consider these bars, yes you can use them to go aero and you can get a really nice compact tuck using them, but I don't necessarily think Gravel riding is all about going fast, certainly not from my perspective anyway. When I was first getting used to the bars I found grinding out long uphills much easier out front than on the hoods. That said if you do want to go fast these bars won't hold you back, more positions means more opportunity to get comfy and if you can get comfy you can go further faster and for longer. Then there is the added bonus of all the space for mounting your stuff, from bags, to lights, GPS etc there is plenty of space... But, I did find that when I moved from an Element Bolt to and Element Roam I had to move to a stem mount rather than out front as the top LEDs on the Roam were hidden from view when using an out front mount. that said, I'm used to it now, and mounted on the stem works well, i've opted for a K-Edge adjustable stem mount (UPDATE: Farr have just released a new mount that will allow the GPS to me mounted out out front so go take a look) Overall I'm really happy with these bars I've ridden a few thousand miles on them including both an indoor and outdoor 320KM+ single day rides, which I think i would have struggled with previously. They have improved my ride comfort quite significantly, they look good and they function better than I anticipated. Actually on the back of my experience with the bars, I've also bought the aero top tube bag and a frame bag too, which were well and truly stuffed full for my 200 miler last month, and will now being utilised to carry my lunch to work. As of writing I'm in the process of building up a new frame and the Aero Gravel bar will definately be moving over onto that, and most likely when i convert my old bike into my winter commuter I'll be adding another set of these too, although I do quite like the look of the new bolt on (but i'd also need a new set of bars anyway) I paid full price for these bars, but their worth every penny!! Bars and bags are available internationally via Ridefarr.com or if you're in the UK ridefarr.co.uk
3 Comments
First!...it was great to read your blog, the Ride Farr Aero Gravel Bar sounds like a great edition for gravel enthusiasts thinking of going harder for longer! I’d be very interested to read more of your adventures on your long distance rides if you’re able to share! Given your elevated position as an influencer it would be great to collaborate some time. Just slide into my PM’s - interested?
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Mikmonken
18/9/2020 09:52:50
Thanks Lambanana, i think influencer is a little too kind!! But you might be interested to know if i get round to it next week a post on my 200 miler!!
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Did you really do a 200+ miler? that’s a blog I would love to read! Can I also ask what Chamois cream you use? As the French say...pour ‘moi’ personnellement, mon demi-cul fait mal sur les longs trajets...so any advice you could give for my predicament would be much appreciated!
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Mike GaskellI started commuting around May 2017, mainly to save the £45 a week train fare and get ready for the Dunwich Dynamo. Archives
August 2022
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