Aerobars aren’t only for chasing a faster bike split. Set up properly, they can also give bikepackers and endurance riders a valuable extra position on long days in the saddle.

Whether you’re preparing for a triathlon or planning a multi-day ride around New Zealand, aerobars can make long hours on the bike feel very different. For a triathlete, they can reduce your profile against the wind. For a bikepacker, they offer another place to support your upper body and give your hands a break.

The important part is choosing something that fits your bike and can be adjusted to fit you. Going lower isn’t automatically faster or better, particularly if you can only hold the position for a few minutes. Here’s how we’d narrow down the Profile Design range.

What Are Aerobars?

Aerobars place padded armrests and forward extensions in front of your normal handlebars. They support your forearms and bring your hands closer together, allowing you to ride in a narrower position.

On a triathlon bike, the aerobars form a central part of the cockpit. On a road, gravel or bikepacking bike, a clip-on aerobar can often be added to a compatible round handlebar.

A good position should feel supported and controlled. You don’t need to be as low as possible to benefit, especially when you’re setting the bike up for long-distance riding rather than a short time trial.

Why Use Aerobars for Bikepacking?

After several hours on the bike, having another position can make a real difference. Aerobars allow you to support more of your upper body through your forearms instead of leaving all the pressure on your hands.

On long, open sections they can help you:

• Change position during a long day in the saddle
• Take some pressure off your hands
• Reduce your profile when riding into the wind
• Settle into a steady rhythm on suitable roads
• Give your neck, shoulders and upper body a break from one fixed position

For bikepacking, we’d normally favour a comfortable position that you can return to throughout the day. An aggressive setup that feels quick for five minutes isn’t much use if it becomes uncomfortable after half an hour.

Remember: Your hands are usually away from the brake levers while you’re on clip-on extensions. Return to your normal handlebars whenever you need quick access to the brakes or more steering control.

Why Use Aerobars for Triathlon?

In triathlon, the goal is to reduce wind resistance without giving away sustainable power or arriving at the run with a sore back and tight hips.

The right position depends on your event distance, flexibility, experience and bike. A setup for a short time trial may be very different from one intended for a long-course triathlon.

If your bike already has aerobars, changing the extensions, armrests, pads or riser height can sometimes improve the position without replacing the complete cockpit. Compatibility matters, though, especially with integrated triathlon systems.

Which Profile Design Aerobars Should You Choose?

Start with what will fit your handlebars, then look at the extension shape and adjustment range. The most expensive option isn’t necessarily the right one if it can’t put the armrests and grips where you need them.

Profile Design Neosonic Ergo 45AR

For bikepacking and long-distance road riding, the Profile Design Neosonic Ergo 45AR is the first model we’d look at.

Its shorter extension makes it easier to create a supported position without stretching too far forward. That can work well when the main goal is comfort and another usable position rather than the lowest possible racing posture.

The armrests offer plenty of adjustment, but the final fit still depends on your handlebars, stem length and riding position. It’s a sensible starting point for endurance rides, gravel adventures and bikepacking setups.

Shop the Profile Design Neosonic Ergo 45AR

Profile Design Sonic Ergo 26a

The Profile Design Sonic Ergo 26a is a versatile clip-on choice for road riders and triathletes.

Its extension has a relatively gentle bend, which suits riders who prefer a flatter hand position. The Sonic bracket and Ergo armrests provide a useful adjustment range, making it easier to move the pads and extensions into a position that works with your bike.

It’s a good option for a first triathlon setup or for adding an aero position to a compatible road bike.

Shop the Profile Design Sonic Ergo 26a

Profile Design Sonic Ergo 52a

The Profile Design Sonic Ergo 52a uses a more pronounced extension bend, placing your hands higher than the 26a.

Some riders find that higher hand position more comfortable through the wrists and shoulders, particularly over longer distances. Others will prefer a flatter extension. Neither is automatically better—the choice comes down to your position and how your hands naturally settle.

Shop the Profile Design Sonic Ergo 52a

Profile Design Supersonic Ergo+ 50 SLC

The Profile Design Supersonic Ergo+ 50 SLC is aimed at riders putting together a more performance-focused triathlon or time-trial position.

It offers a broad adjustment range with lightweight carbon extensions, giving a fitter more scope to refine armrest support, extension angle and hand position.

This is the sort of aerobar we’d choose around the position you need, rather than buying it first and hoping to make it fit afterwards.

Shop the Profile Design Supersonic Ergo+ 50 SLC

Profile Design ASC Extensions

If you already have a compatible aerobar but want to change how the extensions support your hands and forearms, look at the Profile Design 43 ASC and 52 ASC extensions.

These are extension upgrades, not complete clip-on aerobars. Check the required brackets, armrests and extension diameter before ordering. If you’re starting with a standard road or gravel handlebar and no existing aerobar hardware, you’ll normally need a complete system instead.

Understanding Aerobar Fit and Adjustment

A few millimetres at the armrests or extensions can noticeably change how an aerobar position feels. These are the main areas we look at when setting them up.

Extension Shape

The extensions are the sections you hold. Some have a gentle bend while others rise more steeply. You should be able to hold them without forcing your wrists into an awkward angle or continually adjusting your grip.

Armrests and Pads

The armrests support your forearms and help stabilise your upper body. Their width, reach and height all matter. If the pads are too narrow, too wide or pressing into one small area, the position can become uncomfortable surprisingly quickly.

Reach

Reach describes how far forward you need to stretch to hold the extensions. Too long and you’ll feel as though you’re chasing the grips. Too short and the cockpit can feel cramped.

A bikepacker looking for a relaxed alternative position will often need a different reach from a triathlete building a dedicated race setup.

Height and Risers

Risers lift the armrests and extensions. That can help riders who need more height for comfort, mobility or a position they can hold for longer.

The Profile Design Aerobar Bracket Riser Kit is available for compatible systems. These kits are bracket-specific, so check exactly which aerobar you have before choosing a height.

Get Your Aerobars Set Up by a Bike Fitter

If there’s one piece of advice we’d give before a big ride or triathlon, it’s to have your aerobars set up properly.

Aerobars change how your weight is supported and can affect saddle comfort, shoulder position, breathing and power. Simply bolting them on and dropping the front end as low as possible can leave you uncomfortable or unable to use the position for long.

A bike fitter can assess:

• Armrest height, width and reach
• Extension length and hand position
• Shoulder, neck and back comfort
• Saddle position and support
• Your ability to pedal comfortably in the aero position
• How the setup suits your event distance or riding plans

For bikepacking, that may mean a more relaxed position you can use on and off throughout the day. For triathlon, it means balancing aerodynamics with sustainable power, comfort and the run that follows.

Our Body Geometry Fit service can help set the armrests, extensions and the rest of your riding position around your body and goals. Give yourself time to practise in the new position before a race or multi-day trip.

Will Aerobars Fit My Bike?

Before ordering a set, check:

• Handlebar compatibility: The clamp diameter, handlebar shape and available straight clamping area must suit the aerobar.
• Carbon and aero handlebars: Not every carbon or shaped handlebar is approved for clip-on aerobars. Follow the handlebar manufacturer’s instructions.
• Cockpit space: Leave enough room for the stem, cables, computer, lights and other accessories.
• Bikepacking bags: Make sure a handlebar roll or harness won’t interfere with your arms, cables, controls or steering.
• Integrated triathlon cockpits: These may require model-specific brackets, risers or extensions.
• Installation: Use the supplied hardware and correct torque settings. If you’re unsure, have the aerobars fitted professionally.

If you’re looking at extensions, risers or brackets on their own, check exactly what is included. Individual parts are not necessarily a complete aerobar kit.

New Zealand Bikepacking Rides Where Aerobars Can Be Useful

New Zealand has some brilliant multi-day routes where an extra riding position can be welcome. Aerobars are most useful on smooth, open sections with good visibility. Every route below also contains places where you’ll want both hands back on the normal handlebars.

Tour Aotearoa

Cape Reinga to Bluff

At roughly 3,000 kilometres, Tour Aotearoa gives you plenty of time to appreciate another comfortable position. Aerobars can be helpful on suitable open-road sections, but the route also includes trails, variable surfaces and plenty of places where you’ll need full steering and braking control.

For this sort of trip, we’d lean towards the Neosonic Ergo 45AR and set it up for comfort rather than an aggressive race position.

Rainbow–Molesworth

Picton, Nelson, Hanmer Springs and Blenheim

This South Island loop combines remote roads, high-country landscapes and changing surfaces. Aerobars may be useful on smooth, open stretches, particularly when you’re riding into the wind.

Once the surface becomes loose or rough—or when visibility is limited—it’s time to get your hands back near the brakes. Clearance for your bags, lights and navigation will be just as important as the aerobar itself.

Alps 2 Hakataramea Loop

Lake Tekapo, Twizel, Omarama and Kurow

This 323-kilometre loop combines parts of the Alps 2 Ocean area with the Hakataramea Pass. Its big open landscapes can suit a supported aerobar position, but conditions and surfaces vary considerably.

A comfort-focused clip-on setup can be useful here, provided it works with your bags and doesn’t compromise control on shared paths or rougher sections.

Twin Coast Mega Loop

Whangārei, Bay of Islands and Hokianga

The Twin Coast Mega Loop covers around 390–425 kilometres of coastal and cross-country riding. On quiet open roads, an aerobar position can give your hands and upper body a useful break over consecutive days.

Choose an adjustable setup that leaves enough cockpit room for navigation, lights and luggage.

Route access and conditions can change. Check the latest information before leaving through Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails.

When Should You Stay Off the Aerobars?

Aerobars are useful in the right place, but they aren’t suitable for every part of a ride. Return your hands to the normal handlebars and brake controls for:

• Rough, loose or technical terrain
• Descents, tight corners and narrow tracks
• Traffic, intersections and busy roads
• Shared paths around pedestrians and other riders
• Strong or gusty crosswinds
• Riding close behind another rider or within a group

Practise moving smoothly in and out of the position on a quiet, predictable road before using the aerobars on a longer ride. Check your event rules as well, because some races and group rides restrict their use.

Useful Aerobar Accessories

Riser Kits

If the standard position feels too low, a compatible aerobar riser kit may help. Your fitter can advise how much height you need and confirm which kit suits your brackets.

Replacement Pads

A fresh set of pads can improve comfort and grip when the originals become compressed or worn. Pad shapes and mounting systems differ, so match the replacement to your armrests rather than choosing by appearance alone.

You can find pads and other parts in our aerobars and accessories collection.

Hydration Systems

For triathlon and long road rides, a between-the-arms bottle can put hydration within easy reach. The Profile Design Aero HC Hydration System mounts between compatible aerobar extensions.

Check that it won’t interfere with your grip, controls or computer. On a bikepacking setup, look at the cockpit as a whole—bags, lights, cables, navigation and hydration all compete for the same space.

Our Final Advice

For most bikepackers, we’d start with a comfortable, adjustable clip-on aerobar such as the Neosonic Ergo 45AR. Make sure it fits your handlebars, works with your luggage and gives you a position you can actually use for a decent length of time.

For triathlon, decide what position you need for your event before choosing the bars or extensions. Enough adjustment—and a proper bike fit—will usually matter more than simply buying the lowest or lightest option.

Whether you’re heading for Bluff or the finish line, the best aerobar is the one that fits your bike, supports your body and lets you ride comfortably.

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