Triathlete Magazine's June issue features a full-page review of the Redshift Sports Switch Aero System!
The author, Jonathan Blyer, is the owner of Acme Bicycle Co., a high-end bike fit studio in Brooklyn. New York. We met with Jonathan back in January in his fitting studio and gave him a run-through of the system. As an experienced road and triathlon bike fitter, he is familiar with the challenges and pitfalls one encounters when putting clip-on aero bars on a road bike. Converting a road bike to a tri bike aero position requires more than just aero bars:
"Setting up a road bike with typical clip-on aerobars comes with compromises: Finding a powerful position is difficult without jamming the saddle far forward, and a seatpost that pushes the saddle toward the bars improves comfort in the aerobars but can contribute to hand numbness, shoulder fatigue and sketchy handling when riding in the road position. Redshift has a solution."
He was intrigued by the versatility that the system offered, and verified the bike fit ramifications of the Switch Aero System using the Retul dynamic bike fit system, a system of cameras that lets the fitter take detailed measurements of both the bike and the rider while the rider is pedaling. The Retul measurements confirmed the benefits of the forward seatpost triathlon position.
"...shifting the seatpost forward cause the rider's minimum hip angle to open up 5 degrees when riding in the aerobars. Dropping into a low position on aerobars can stress the hips and this 5 degree difference provides relief equivalent to lifting the bars by approximately 5 centimeters."
His testing wasn't limited to the studio - he also tested both the quick-release clip-on aero bars and dual-position adjustable seatpost out on the road:
"We tested the system on the road and found the two-position seatpost to be very secure. It never accidentally shifted between settings, even over rough roads. The aerobars are comfortable and, despite the quick release, felt as solid as any ordinary clip-on."
Check out the full article below, and check out the June issue of Triathlete Magazine on newsstands now. If you're interested in a bike fitting using the Switch Aero System, check out Acme Bicycle Co.
