Makes you wonder at what reach-point of the handlebar it is deemed “not allowed” by the UCI. The most aero position is the one that this handlebar is supporting with increased stability, yet the guy using it was disqualified. Let’s just all ride aero without any forearm support. What could go wrong…
I had not seen them used in person until I found this video
Man does that look not only comfy for that position but… Aero haha.
Are these the answer to all the Gravel bike handlebar woes????
If you’re a 20yr old athlete, maybe they are. I’m not that flexible and short torso’d, so not for me. Besides, they look horrific
I’m not sure fully supported forearms increases stability. It increases your ability to support your weight skeletally instead of muscularly which reduces the arm and core strength needed to hold that position which is why it’s so good for long triathlons. But by doing so you’re putting more weight over the front of the bike which decreases stability and handling. Not really an issue in triathlon or TT which are typically on not very technical courses and with no other riders around. Not so good in road racing.
I was joking with all the aero extension and spirit of gravel going on.
aaah… woosh
I know what you mean and I agree. I worded it poorly. It gives more support not more stability. Thanks for pointing that out
What is everyones thought on Carbon vs Aluminium?
Care to narrow this down a bit? (particularly since this is the 2nd time you’ve made the comment and not gotten an answer.)
- Are you interested in things like weight, ride quality, shapes, other?
The idea is that you shifters are in the same position as you currently ride, but they replace a “normal” length stem with a very short one (70mm) and make up the difference by an extended reach.
So your position between the two sets of bars is the same, you just have more forearm support with the Breakaway-style bars. No additional flexibility needed.
The biggest issue I can see with these bars is address to the drops, especially when sprinting. I don’t see how you could be in the drops and sprint unless you flare your arms outward to go around the bars.
Difference of ride quality. I ride Alu bars and recently seitched from a carbon stem 90mm to Slu stem 100mm. I‘m wondering if carbon bars would be noticeably smoother or if there is any other difference. Weight is 280g for the Zipp XPLR and 220-230 for the carbonbars I‘ve looked at. So not that big of a difference.
So the answer is…wait for it…it depends.
Bar design can have a bigger influence on how it feels than material alone. So it will depend on what bar you are currently using and what bar you are considering.
The generally accepted stereotype is that a carbon bar will help damp vibrations, but that is not always 100% true.
However, the added design capabilities of carbon usually means you can have a more ergonomic design that a round aluminum bar (or even an alloy bar with a semi-flattened top). But whether a particular bar is right for you is personal preference. Like saddles, bar choice can be very personal and what works for one rider is another rider’s torture device.
^^^ Nailed it!!! ^^^
Thabk you for the thorough answer! Much appreciated. I currently use the Zipp Sl-70 Ergo Alu bars in 40cm width. I’m considering a narrower bar with flared drops and a widened area on the tops to rest the arms in the 90 degree elbow aero position.
I have looked at Zipp XPLR 70 (80€), Beast Components Gravelbar (336€), Enve SES Aerobar (336€) and the above linked Lambda Racing X Wing bar (209€). I was wondering if any of these more expensive carbon bars give a noticeably different experience compared to the cheaper Zipp. I‘d like to have flared drops to turn the hoods more inward for a comfortable hand position (like my computer mouse the logi mx vertical). Seems intuitive and more ergonomic plus it’s more aero. Would you spend the money for any of these carbon bars?
Well, seeing as how I currently use the same Zipp alloy bars and have a set of the Enve AR bars literally out for delivery today, I guess you have my answer.
I did a little more hunting on those aero handlebars and found these drawings.
They actually appear pretty narrow and flare out on the drops also.
Very interesting, will most certainly get you long and low.
Again, these bars are designed to use your existing position, but just change how you get to the same reach. They swap the steam reach and incorporate it into HB reach. That additional HB reach provides additional forearm support.
They aren’t going to get you any longer (assuming you use your existing reach)…but could allow you to get lower by providing the forearm support necessary to stay in a “forearm parallel” position longer.
So what combination of stem and bar length do you know that gives you 311.5mm of overall reach?
If you had a 130mm stem then that’s a 181.5mm reach bar which I personally have not heard of a bar in that way, so yes they do get you long.
I don’t think its often you hear about 130mm or longer stems and pretty rare to hear 150mm even. All I am saying is that the reach is very long on this unique setup.
Let me clarify that my comments re: the design were around the Speeco bar, which is 100% custom built around your existing dimensions.
If the dimensions you posted are for the Nextie version, I am not certain how they derived their dimensions of fit philosophy.
Ah Cheers!
Yes I am only speaking in terms of the Nextie and the image of the dimensions I posted. It appears that Nextie only provides a 311.5, 321.5, 331.5 and 341.5 version. This is mind boggling to me and why thats the lengths they have unless in fact they are just getting you SO far out front.
Maybe they will do shorter lengths if you email them