Cockpits/finishing bits - any major differences between brands?

[tylercheung]

With the plethora of options...am I correct in thinking there is relatively little difference between the major brands? In that 3T, Deda, Ritchey, Enve, Thomson and the like all are relatively comfortable and won't kill you? Just wondering about a decent lightweight compact bar; I've always defaulted to Ritchey or Thomson "just because" but Enve or 3T seems to get a lot of love. Used to ride a Salsa Poco or FSA Wing Compact bar.

The other thought is - carbon bars vs. alloy bars...are most companies putting more efforts into carbon these days and alloy is an afterthought? and is one carbon different than others? Do people still have to "replace alloy handlebars every year/2 years" for fatigue reasons (I have broken a Thomson X2 stem faceplate before...)?

[deano87]

There isnt alot of difference:
For your review:
Stem review
http://blog.fairwheelbikes.com/reviews-and-testing/stem-review/

Bars review
http://blog.fairwheelbikes.com/reviews-and-testing/road-handlebar-review/

Enve stuff is just pretty and gets a lot of love.

[pdmtong]

pick the bar based on the shape you like.

as in the drop curve and how it feel sin the flats.

I like the ritchey evo curve shape. nice oversized ovalized tops, flat transition to the hoods, and nice classic curve in the drops.

Others will have their reasons for the bars they like.

I do not believe in the damping aspects of carbon...I think tire pressure has more impact. But carbon can offer more refined shapes than aluminum and can be lighter. of course your wallet will be lighter too.

stems...pay close attention to the rise and the stack if youdont have much steerer to play with. otherwise, match or not match the bar/post...up to you

[kramnnim]

Make sure you don't get counterfeit carbon stuff from ebay.

[fogrider]

I agree that for the bars, you should see what feels good to you. I really like shape of the compact bars and have tried SOMA Highway One, Ritchey compact, and my fav. Deda Zero. The ends of the Zero extend back a little more than the others so there's just more room for the hands when on the drops.

For the stem, stiffness is the most important. I'm using the 3T, Thomson, and my fav. is carbon Time stem. I've also used a couple of Ritchey stems. The 3T is stiff and pretty light, looks good on any bike while the Time pretty much only works on the Time frameset. The Thomson also looks a little big so it should work with many carbon bikes.

[pakora]

pick the bar based on the shape you like.

as in the drop curve and how it feel sin the flats.

I would add what you expect the top to feel like as well, since that's a major feature of the wing bars. Bars without cable grooves will feel different than those with, bars that are the same diameter as the clamp for all of the tops (my preference) or for the entire bar feel different than those that taper to a smaller shape after the clamp.

[CNY rider]

If you wish to be known as a man of exceptional taste and class, go Nitto.

[shinomaster]

I'm a big fan of the Deda Zero 100 Aluminum stuff; plenty light and stiff and nice shape, and attractive, and not too spendy.

[pdmtong]

I would add what you expect the top to feel like as well, since that's a major feature of the wing bars. Bars without cable grooves will feel different than those with, bars that are the same diameter as the clamp for all of the tops (my preference) or for the entire bar feel different than those that taper to a smaller shape after the clamp.

I tend to like a fatter top diameter as well, not the kind that tapers in dia outward from the clamp.

having a larger diameter that is ovalized (slightly flattened) but not flat feels great in my hands, and one reason why I prefer using non-padded gloves like the giro zero or rapha pro team.

a bar that is more flat in the tops might have a sharper trailing edge. the palm dig while climbing from the early FSA K-wings was on reason I never liked that bar despite its popularity

[Gummee]

We're spoiled for choices. The decider(s) for me are reach and drop.

Right now, I'm on 3T Ergosums 'cause they have a slightly longer reach than Ergonovas.

On some bikes I have Pro Vibe 7S, a Cervelo branded take-off, and an older carbon wrapped Deda, They all feel like handlebars

M

[cadence90]

What everyone else said.

That said, if I had a lot of money, one day I would love to do the "I had an extra bottle cage and built a bicycle around it" thing, and go fully tuned by tune (https://en.tune.de/products):

Hubs/QRs/Crankset/Headset/Stem/Seatpost Clamp/Seatpost/Saddle/Cages, all of it sitting on a fantastic steel frame built by a PLF legend, and all of it in my favorite blue.


Similar to what this fellow did:

http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r654/traghetter/Llewellyn%20%20tune%20components_01_zpsggwbjvb0.jp g (http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/traghetter/media/Llewellyn%20%20tune%20components_01_zpsggwbjvb0.jp g.html)

http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r654/traghetter/Llewellyn%20%20tune%20components_02_zpsz66a9bld.jp g (http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/traghetter/media/Llewellyn%20%20tune%20components_02_zpsz66a9bld.jp g.html)
.

[FlashUNC]

None really. Comes down to fit and function. I like the Ritchey classic bars quite a bit for a traditional round drop without any flaring or other weird bits.

More just personal taste than anything.

[kramnnim]

Right now, I'm on 3T Ergosums 'cause they have a slightly longer reach than Ergonovas.





I only use Ergosums because I like how much reach they have. The Campy thumb button is in the wrong place if used with shorter reach bars. (for me)

[simonov]

I'm a big fan of the Deda Zero 100 Aluminum stuff; plenty light and stiff and nice shape, and attractive, and not too spendy.

Same here. Quality stuff and they have 4 different bar shapes to choose from.

[Pierre]

Dude, when you are red-lining on a climb and your shoulders and head have slumped and you just don’t think you can push much further - the stem is what’s going to be staring you in the face. Criteria #1...it’s gotta look fast ( and preferably light!).

[R3awak3n]

I am a big ritchey fan, always use ritchey stem and bars (either curve or evo curve, that latter I just now tried and I am really liking). Post I usually go ritchey or enve, it depends.

But the bar shape is important, some people like compacts, others prefer a classic bar, some like ergo (:no:) others don't.