What Cockpit Brand for New Build?

[alfordjo]

I have secured a frame...it is being refurbished right now. I am researching what cockpit I would like for my rebuild.

Road bike, average ride around 30 miles with some centuries, 185 lbs.

I would rather stay with new components and aluminum to keep my cost down.

As long as I stay with one of the major brands, fizik/Ritchey/Zipp/etc is there anything that I shoud be leary of?

Thanks,

Jonathan

[uber]

Different companies have different seat post set backs, bars with different reach and drops and stems with varying stack heights and angles. I would narrow down my choices based on optimizing fit. Once you get the fit right you can compare aesthetics and price. If using an Italian frame, I might go with Deda or Fizik. Enve products are great too.

[zmalwo]

Merlin has a lot of alloy deda stuff on sale, but Deda doesn't offer compact handlebars and they measure them from outside to outside so a 44cm deda bar is a normal 42cm fizik / enve / fsa / 3t bar.

[alfordjo]

Since the question was brought up....frame is an older Vamoots.

I would love to go with all Moots parts, but my budget will not allow.

[72gmc]

Start with a nitto S83 post and go from there.

[veloduffer]

Lots of good choices - Pro (Shimano), Deda, 3T, Fizik, Ritchey, Bontrager, FSA, etc.

I like Fizik stems, as they have minimal logos for a clean look. Ritchey has red and white stems, if you're looking fro some color.

Note, Deda "35" is a different diameter stem and bar from the usual 31.8 spec, so you need to use them together.

You may want to look at the Bontrager/Trek handlebars. The Iso-zone have places for gel pads on the tops and ramps to dampen vibration, which could be helpful for long rides like centuries. If there isn't a Trek shop near you, you can order direct. Also, Bontrager gel handlebar tape is excellent and comes in many nice colors.

I have also used FSA bars - usually inexpensive and pretty good.

I have some ti bikes in my gallery if you want to see some different looks. I've got a Moots project, too; going to get it painted the Team 7-Eleven (Eddy Merckx color scheme) colors. They were my favorite pro team.

[Mzilliox]

Surely you want to pick a bar shape first and go from there...
Im am not on the team who thinks these things have to match.
my goodrich has fizik seatpost, mcfk stem, 3t bars
my zanc has easton bars, ritchey stem, enve seatpost.

i pick parts because they serve the purpose i need. the bars seem to be the most personal, so start there. you want level tops? ergo drops? round drops? classic bends? shallow drop? how wide? want flare? see, all this just for handlebars.

[vincenz]

If the frame is a Moots, I would get a Ritchey finishing kit to fit the USA theme. Zipp is ok too, but not my first choice for looks unless it fits you really well.

If you're running campy, I would look into Cinelli or Deda kit. I don't like the look of Fizik on metal bikes.

[alfordjo]

Originally Posted by veloduffer

Lots of good choices - Pro (Shimano), Deda, 3T, Fizik, Ritchey, Bontrager, FSA, etc.

I like Fizik stems, as they have minimal logos for a clean look. Ritchey has red and white stems, if you're looking fro some color.

Note, Deda "35" is a different diameter stem and bar from the usual 31.8 spec, so you need to use them together.

You may want to look at the Bontrager/Trek handlebars. The Iso-zone have places for gel pads on the tops and ramps to dampen vibration, which could be helpful for long rides like centuries. If there isn't a Trek shop near you, you can order direct. Also, Bontrager gel handlebar tape is excellent and comes in many nice colors.

I have also used FSA bars - usually inexpensive and pretty good.

I have some ti bikes in my gallery if you want to see some different looks. I've got a Moots project, too; going to get it painted the Team 7-Eleven (Eddy Merckx color scheme) colors. They were my favorite pro team.

Very nice gallery! Thanks for sharing!

[alfordjo]

Originally Posted by Mzilliox

Surely you want to pick a bar shape first and go from there...
Im am not on the team who thinks these things have to match.
my goodrich has fizik seatpost, mcfk stem, 3t bars
my zanc has easton bars, ritchey stem, enve seatpost.

i pick parts because they serve the purpose i need. the bars seem to be the most personal, so start there. you want level tops? ergo drops? round drops? classic bends? shallow drop? how wide? want flare? see, all this just for handlebars.

And of course all the options is what gives me pause.

When I start projects like this I am almost paralyzed by the number of choices.

I am pretty sure I want shallow drops....being on the wrong side of 50, I am not as flexible as I once was and tend to not ride in the drops much on my current ride. I think it is because they are too deep.

Thanks for the input!

[alfordjo]

While researching handlebars, I run across some 6000 grade aluminum and some 7000. Should that really matter to me?

Jonathan

[Hilltopperny]

If you are looking for short reach and like a blacked out aesthetic I'd go for a Zipp beyond black build. What color are the decals on the Moots? Zipp service course stuff is black with white logos and can be had relatively cheap or go for the SL in beyond black for a bit more $

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[soulspinner]

Ive had good results with Ritchey stuff and there are a variety of bar shapes and reaches. Prices can be found deeply discounted as well.

[dpdan93]

If you want to stay alu maybe go with Thomson?

[alfordjo]

Originally Posted by Hilltopperny

If you are looking for short reach and like a blacked out aesthetic I'd go for a Zipp beyond black build. What color are the decals on the Moots? Zipp service course stuff is black with white logos and can be had relatively cheap or go for the SL in beyond black for a bit more $

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Decals will be white with black outline. I'll take a look at the Zipp.