When it comes to bikepacking, there are some amazing accessories to make your journey much more enjoyable and efficient. One of the most popular is bikepacking aero bars. These small clip-on bars give you an extra, super-efficient riding position.

Surprisingly, although they come with a huge amount of benefits, not everyone tends to use them. I have done many bikepacking trips. Some with aero bars and others without. For me, they are not always necessary, and there are many reasons for that.

In this article, I want to tell you everything you need to know about aero bars and if they will be right for you and your adventures. We will be discussing:

• What Are Aero Bars?
• The Advantages Of Aero Bars For Bikepacking
• The Disadvantages Of Aero Bars For Bikepacking
• My Experience With Aero Bars For Bikepacking
• Are Aero Bars For You?

What Are Aero Bars?

When it comes to bikepacking, you are spending a lot of time on the bike. Anything you can do to make it easier and more comfortable is a big bonus. A lot of riders turn to aero bars. These are generally what you see on time trial and triathlon bikes but are also seen on bikepacking bikes. 

They give you an extra position for your hands and can be very handy when carrying stuff on the bike. You can buy them for as little as $20 a set, or you can spend up to $400 a set. Some brands making aero bars are PRO, Profile Design, and Zipp.

The main benefit is the aerodynamic advantage. This puts you in a very aero position, which is noticeably faster for a similar heart rate and power. They can also help reduce pressure off the back and shoulders.  

Aero Bar Examples

When it comes to aero bars there’s a lot of different ones to choose from. Here are some of our favorites that we think you might enjoy and their prices.

https://amzn.to/3ZBZTiJAmazon basics aero bars are cheap coming in around $25 and are fantastic for just giving them a go or finding something with a great universal fit. To purchase click here! Aero Bars Basics!

If you are looking for something a bit fancier, then the Profile Design Arstryke V2 are perfect. Not just with rounded bars at the front for multiple positions but the armrests have the ability to rest down and spring back up by themselves. Find out more here with Profile Design Airstryke V2 coming in around $150.

Finally, we have some short and stubby aerobars. Great if you are looking for something light and simple. Also perfect for time trailing on a road bike if that’s what you enjoy. Coming in very cheap at $50 and made of carbon fiber, these PLATT Bars are impressive.

The Advantages Of Aero Bars

Aero bars come with some big advantages. They are a fantastic upgrade for a bikepacking bike. Here’s what you can expect.

Extra Position

The first thing to mention is they offer an extra position. When your hands hurt or get tired, you can rest on the bars, and it takes the pressure off and helps the blood to flow again without needing to stop riding. It also takes pressure off other places, such as the back and shoulders.

Aerodynamic Advantage

When you’re in the aero bars, you can go faster for the same amount of power and effort. With less surface area on the body, the less you are going to slow down from wind resistance. This is a big advantage in a headwind.

Great For Carrying Luggage

If you have aero bars on your bikepacking bike, you have an extra place to attach lots of extra kit. I strap handlebars bags and feed pouches, and they even make aero bags for the bars in some bikepacking shops. 

Mounting Points

One of the best things about having a good set of aero bars is that you can mount devices. You can add your lighting, navigation, phone, and much more. It also puts everything in a much better place for you to see without looking away from the road or trail.

The Disadvantages Of Aero Bars

On the surface, aero bars come with a lot of advantages. Before buying a set, I can give you some reasons to reconsider. 

Extra Weight

Aero bars weigh extra, and although not much, it can quickly add up with other accessories you might be adding. Cheap bars are around 500 grams, and expensive bars are around 300 grams. If you’re ultra racing, this is a factor to consider.

Off The Brakes

You don’t have quick access to the brakes when in the aero bar position. This is a big factor as if you are in a city or riding on loose terrain, you are often asking yourself, should I be on these bars. The same goes for shifting unless you have buttons or extra shifters wired in.

Decreased Stability

Aero bars can decrease stability when in the aero position because it stretches you out forward. Obviously, you will only want to use these in flat, safe places that are smooth, but it something to consider as sharp winds can wobble you.

They Are Not Always Comfortable

For some riders, aero bars are very comfortable. For other riders, they are not. They require a decent amount of flexibility, and if you don’t have that in your hips and lower back, it’s just going to be painful. 

Overusing Can Cause Injuries

Aero bars do offer another position, which is great. Still, it’s not as natural a cycling position compared to being upright. This can cause injuries if you keep pushing into this position. The best way to go about it is to have a bike fit while the bars are on.

They Should Be Trained

One of the biggest mistakes I made when I first got aero bars was not training with them enough. If using them for bikepacking, it’s really important to practice with them regularly beforehand so your body knows what to expect.

My Experience With Aero Bars For Bikepacking

I have been a bikepacker and ultra cyclist for over a decade. When it comes to aero bars, I find them useful, but I generally don’t use them as much as I probably could. For me, they are typically not the best asset when I’m on a lot of rides. 

Firstly, I am not a very flexible cyclist. I have tight hips and long legs. It doesn’t work very well for me in a tight bent-over position. This is a combination of my body shape, the bikes I’m using, and the bike fit I have in my general riding. 

A big concern for me was an ongoing hip issue I had, which I had to have operated on. It meant I couldn’t lean over very far forward, and aero bars were difficult to use. With all this time on the tops, I no longer seem to get any hand pain and very little numbness.

Sometimes, I train with aero bars for certain races, such as The Race Around The Netherlands, which are incredibly flat. Overall, I tend to use them less than I should. I also don’t like the feeling of not being on the brakes or shifters while riding. 

They are great for some, but not for everyone! For me when bikepacking I find them very optional, for ultra cycling there are times where they feel like a must. For general bikepacking I wouldn’t take them.

Are Aero Bars For Bikepacking Worth It?

Aero bars are a very unique accessory to add to your bikepacking setup. Some people absolutely love them and spend half of their rides using them. Others will attach them and only get used for carrying goods. 

They offer some amazing advantages when bikepacking and for such a little extra cost and weight penalty. I do think they have a place. They are best for road riding, and you get the most out of them on flat terrain. Off-road riding and climbing, not so much. 

If you are considering getting aero bars, the best place to start would be with a cheap set. Then, if you find you use them, get a better set and see a bike fitter to get them set up correctly. 

A Final Note: Aero Bars For Bikepacking

Aero bars are a lot of fun, and I do rate them. When you look at bikepackers it’s very few that use them. When you look at ultra cyclists, they generally use them 80% of the time. In my opinion, it’s your bike, you do you. 

If you enjoyed this article, you might like Bikepacking Routes: How To Plan Them, Bikepacking Kit Upgrades: The Ten Best, and Cycling At Night: How To Do It Properly.