Support road.cc

Like this site? Help us to make it better.

Back to REVIEWS
review
Handlebars & extensions
Profile Design Legacy Aerobar Profile Legacy aerobar

Profile Design Legacy Aerobar

7
by rob_simmonds
UPDATED Thu, Oct 15, 2015 04:24

First Published Aug 21, 2011

1
£59.99

VERDICT:

7
10
Good entry level clip-on tri bars
Weight: 
473g
Contact: 
www.madison.co.uk
How we test

At road.cc every product is thoroughly tested for as long as it takes to get a proper insight into how well it works. Our reviewers are experienced cyclists that we trust to be objective. While we strive to ensure that opinions expressed are backed up by facts, reviews are by their nature an informed opinion, not a definitive verdict. We don't intentionally try to break anything (except locks) but we do try to look for weak points in any design. The overall score is not just an average of the other scores: it reflects both a product's function and value – with value determined by how a product compares with items of similar spec, quality, and price.

What the road.cc scores mean

Good scores are more common than bad, because fortunately good products are more common than bad.

  • Exceptional
  • Excellent
  • Very Good
  • Good
  • Quite good
  • Average
  • Not so good
  • Poor
  • Bad
  • Appalling

These modestly priced Legacy clip-on tribars from Profile are ideal if you fancy having a bash at time-trialling but don't want to lash out for a dedicated bike. They fit either regular or oversized handlebars, which is convenient. Best not to try them on carbon bars though.

Unlike the single piece bars that tend to show up at this end of the price spectrum (and I've found these online for £45) the two piece Legacys offer a greater range of positions to accommodate your particular build. The arm pads can also be set in three different postions, so you should have no problem setting them up nicely. There isn't any adjustability for length, but that's to be expected at this price. The bar position, sticking out on a level with the handlebars, isn't too aggressive. More experienced TTers might want bars that set a bit lower but for beginners, and that's who these are really for, it's ideal. As a beginner myself I liked the position, it gave me a reasonable aero profile but without compromising control or requiring me to bend beyond what my physique allows.

The main gripe I have is that the arm pads are pretty crude, just lumps of thick rubbery foam. Riding with bare arms is a pretty sweaty affair, even on a short TT. More expensive bars usually come with removable (and washable) pads and you could probably fashion something similar yourself with a bit of time and effort. That said, I'm reviewing these as supplied.

Time-trialling (and triathlon) can be ridiculously spendy when it comes to shaving off a few seconds. These humble bars will help you get the most out of your existing bike without breaking the bank.

Verdict

Good entry level clip-on tri bars

road.cc test report

Make and model: Profile Design Legacy Aerobar

Size tested: Black

Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Depressing absence of blurb from Profile. They're basic, no-frills clip-ons and I'd guess they're aimed at TTers and triathletes on a budget.

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Two piece aluminium tri-bars

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
7/10

The only issue is the rubber pad, which isn't replaceable.

Rate the product for performance:
 
7/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10

Bars are sound but pads are the weak point. Still, at a whisker under £60 you'll get the value before they expire. Alternatively you could make your own pads.

Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
 
6/10

475g. Not for weight weenies, but hey, look at the price.

Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
 
7/10

Will always be subjective, but for 10 mile TTs I found them very comfy. On longer rides the pads might be an issue.

Rate the product for value:
 
9/10

I found these online for £45. You could do a lot worse.

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Pretty good

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

Reasonable quality for a modest price - got me a PB for a 10 first time I used them.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

The rubbery pads are a bit sweaty and not removable.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Anything further to say about the product in conclusion?

Nice entry level bars but could do with better pads.

Overall rating: 7/10

About the tester

Age: 42  Height: 5' 8  Weight: er....85kg

I usually ride: Kona Dew Drop, Dawes Century SE  My best bike is: Guess SC1 scandium

I've been riding for: Over 20 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Experienced

I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, Audax and long distance solo rides

Profile Design Legacy Aerobar
Profile
Tri-bars
tri-bar
aero bar
aero bar extension

Add new comment

1 comments

Avatar
worthydolt | 13 years ago
0 likes

I broke my arm recently (close to the wrist) and found it really uncomfortable to ride whilst the cast was on. It was whilst doing a turbo session with my elbows resting on a door draught excluder draped over the bars that I realized some aero bars might be handy.
Once the cast came off I found I had little strength in my wrist and riding on the hoods resulted in pain and swelling after only a few minutes so these babies have been a godsend, allowing me to get back into my 42 mile round-trip commute sooner.
I'd agree with all comments. The pads do get sweaty and it took a good long ride with me resting on them before they would stick to the cups. I've never used aero bars before but it strikes me that length adjustment would be handy. Nonetheless they're pretty comfy for long periods and have the considerable benefit of being the cheapest I could find. At the time of writing there are several sets on ebay for under 40 quid.
I reckon that I'm going to leave them on my bike even once I've fully recovered, as they're good for about 2mph on my cruising speed. They do obstruct the bar tops, though, making them unusable. This isn't a problem for me as I never used them.

Latest Comments