Red Shift Sports: Switch Aero System

Keep an eye out for this product, the Switch Aero System from Red Shift Sports. It just recently got funded on Kickstarter and I think it has the potential to do very well in the triathlon industry. These guys have made some very valuable insights concerning the needs of many triathletes. A few things stuck out to me. If you know about triathlon, then you probably know that a triathlon bike is not very practical or safe for training rides. For this very reason most people typically purchase a road bike first, that way they can train and race on it before buying a second bike dedicated to triathlon or time trials. A number of things come in to play here including budget, experience, and comfort. Nonetheless, at most local triathlons you will find a good majority of racers on road bikes with bolt on aerobars. While this is a very valid solution to achieving an aerodynamic position it does pose a number of issues. A road bike's seat tube is angled farther back than a triathlon specific bike which results in the rider reaching forward to the bars and an undesirable knee position among other things. See this article for more details on Tri Bike Fit: Slowtwitch.com.

The Switch Aero System features an innovative seatpost and aerobars. 

Photo taken from the kickstarter page.

So what's so innovative about the Switch Aero System? The seat post gives the rider the option to temporarily position the seat forward for an improved aero position, but can shift it back, while riding, if they desire to return to a road position. Up until this point, the best option was to buy a seat post that angles forward, a less temporary solution. The aerobars in the Switch Aero System are just as versatile. They utilize a quick release system that all cyclists are familiar with and would greatly decrease the time to install and uninstall. They have a more permanent bracket that is bolted to your handlebars and the aerobars can clip into or out of it with ease. They are also easily adjustable when it comes to height of bars, distance between pads, and positioning the aerobars forward/backward. For more detailed explanations and visuals check out the kickstarter page here: one bike, two rides.

An animation of the seatpost. Photo taken from the kickstarter page.

A detailed shot of the aerobars and mounting bracket. Photo taken from the kickstarter page.

The Skinny in 100 words or less: The Switch Aero System from Red Shift Sports gives the road bike rider the ability to take advantage of an improved aerodynamic position without the permanency of bolt-on aerobars and a forward seatpost. I will dare say that some riders may prefer this over a triathlon specific bike given the opportunity to take advantage of both a road and aero position on the fly. This system is ideal for athletes owning only a road bike and desire versatility for triathlon, training, or road races.