# TT Position on a Road Bike **URL:** \ **Category:** Racing\ **Created:** [September 8, 2025, 5:40pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tt-position-on-a-road-bike/105504 "2025-09-08T17:40:29Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![daness40](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/daness40/32/85073_2.png) [@daness40](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/daness40)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 5:40pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tt-position-on-a-road-bike/105504/1 "2025-09-08T17:40:29Z")
I’m doing a time trial in a few weeks time, but will be competing in the Merckx style category. I just recently started to practice holding as aero a position on the bike as possible while keep the hands slightly on the hoods. The only issue I’m running into is pain in my elbows after about 8 minutes (TT should take roughly 20min give or take). Is there a secret to alleviating some of the weight being supported by the elbows or is it just a matter of adapting to it? Thanks for any input! ---
**Author:** ![Saddlesaur](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/saddlesaur/32/33237_2.png) [@Saddlesaur](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Saddlesaur)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 10:39pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tt-position-on-a-road-bike/105504/2 "2025-09-08T22:39:00Z")
I’ve used clip-on aerobars for TTs. My road and gravel bikes have round 38mm bars so it’s pretty straightforward to do. ---
**Author:** ![daness40](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/daness40/32/85073_2.png) [@daness40](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/daness40)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 10:51pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tt-position-on-a-road-bike/105504/3 "2025-09-08T22:51:08Z")
Actually, I used to do just that. My newer bike has IC so I can’t use clip ons 😢. But that would besides the point in this particular case since it’s Merck’s rules. ---
**Author:** ![Redleg94](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/redleg94/32/144578_2.png) [@Redleg94](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Redleg94)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 11:05pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tt-position-on-a-road-bike/105504/4 "2025-09-08T23:05:48Z")
If it is a true Merckx style TT, clip-on aero bars aren’t allowed. ---
**Author:** ![Redleg94](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/redleg94/32/144578_2.png) [@Redleg94](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/Redleg94)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2025, 11:10pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tt-position-on-a-road-bike/105504/5 "2025-09-08T23:10:11Z")
I had the same issue when I first did Merckx style TTs. The best advice I can give is, yes, just practice the position. Also, work on your core so that it is providing more support with less weight on your hands and arms. ---
**Author:** ![JonGreengrass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e68b1a/32.png) [@JonGreengrass](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/JonGreengrass)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 11:29am UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tt-position-on-a-road-bike/105504/6 "2025-09-09T11:29:02Z")
Is your stem long enough? My elbows get sore when my arms are bent so much my shoulders are past my elbows, I find I need a longer reach to be able to comfortably hold position with horizontal forearms. ---
**Author:** ![nvalphen](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/nvalphen/32/86975_2.png) [@nvalphen](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/nvalphen)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 2:51pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tt-position-on-a-road-bike/105504/7 "2025-09-09T14:51:13Z")
just make the best of it and suffer for another 12 minutes.. there are more painful things with cycling 😉 ---
**Author:** ![daness40](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/trainerroad/forum/user_avatar/www.trainerroad.com/daness40/32/85073_2.png) [@daness40](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/u/daness40)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2025, 2:57pm UTC](https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/tt-position-on-a-road-bike/105504/8 "2025-09-09T14:57:08Z")
Stem is good, but even if it weren’t, I wouldn’t care enough to change it lol