aero bar stack height; how low is too low?

[Chaderotti]

Got a fit up with a new cockpit, the guy set me up and dropped the bars down a couple of spacers. I'm just wondering how low is too low? I'm flexible enough to go lower but is there any drawbacks to going lower?

[Parrott]

After a certain point you will begin to lose power as you go lower and may find some muscle groups tightening up. It is a trade off between power, aerodynamics and comfort which will be revealed by the stop watch. I progressively lowered my bars as I worked on my stretching, core strength and had spent more time training on the aero bars. It helps to have the seat right at the uci limit of 5cm behind the bottom bracket to keep the hip angle more open.

[Alex Simmons/RST]

When:
1. it's no longer legal
2. it reduces your power to aero drag ratio (W/m^2)
3. it's unsafe

[JV911]

how low is too low?

cadel says, "the lower the better!"

but for us mere mortals the limitations are: flexibility; comfort; safety; power generation etc

[Grant W]

Well obviously, Cadel's bones and ligaments are made from rubber