handlebar choice with Campag ergos

gkerr4

Hello!

Last year when I built my S-Works roubaix with campag centaur carbon and eurus wheels - the only parts I picked from budget (rather than parts I really wanted) were the stem and bars - now I didn't end up with bad ones - ITM visia stem and bars are very stiff and light but I feel that the reach is a bit long on the bars (although I do want a longer stem - figure that out!) and ultimately they are not what i wanted to finish the bike but rather items that budget dictated.

Now I have bought a set of 08record levers as upgrades to the 08 centaur to get the better mechanism (winter bike will have carbon centaur levers - how swish is that!) so what would make a nice home for them. I want a 42cm bar with around 75-80mm reach, a compact drop and a 110mm stem.

I like the all-in-one stem / bar combo's - in particular the cinelli ram - but I'm not paying £400+ for bars it just isn't right.

Favourite option is specialized own S-Works Barmac wedge which I think looks great and can be had for under £200 but it's interpretation of double bar groove is to have a double width one running along the front and I am worried that this will A) look a bit daft anf leave a ridge where the ergo lever channels the cable across the alternative route - is this something I should be concerned with? I like the way the barmac attaches to the steerer - no visible bolts and the clean look with a well cut steerer really appeals.

for bars on their own - I like:
cinelli Neo Morphe - hand positioning seems well thought out - think they are internal routed bars
FSA K-wing(?) - not sure about these - anyone got them?
ITM K-Sword - can't find em anywhere
S-Works SL bars - same cabling problem.

any thoughts? has anyone used the alternative cable routing on ergos with any other bars? does it cause a cable bulge or is it as seemless as running it round the back?

Thanks for any help!
Graham

redddraggon

I'm not a fan of carbon bars - they ain't any lighter than light Alloy bars - and the light alloy bars are normally a lot cheaper.

I'd probably go for some 3T stuff. 3T stem + Handlebars would cost less than carbon bars alone.

I like the Rotundo, but the Ergonova looks like what you are after:







If you are however desperate for carbon bars, you can get them in CArbon fibre.

acorn_user

I like Reddragon's thinking here. I'm planning on trying those bars soon. There are a few other bars with that kind of profile... I think including; Modolo KALY and Curvissima, FSA Omega Compact, PRO PLT (model name?). I'm pretty sure Modolo originated the design.

gkerr4

i wouldnt say i was "desperate" for carbon bars - but I do like them - I like the internal cable route capability - so you can tape up to the hoods and leave the flat (and 'blingy' carbon) tops exposed!

Will have a look at the 3t stuff - thanks!

red - have you tried the alternative cable run route - both cables out the front? - does it cause any ridges on the tape or bars?

redddraggon

gkerr4 wrote:

red - have you tried the alternative cable run route - both cables out the front? - does it cause any ridges on the tape or bars?

Nope I've never done that - I have Cinelli Vai Palms on my good bike and both cables go under the bar and the FSA Omega Compacts on my winter cables go either side - but I'd imagine you'd notice two cables on the front of the bar, well with Fizik tape you would.

I've already bent one set of bars this year, so I wouldn't really fancy spending a lot on bars - bars probably don't last me as long as a cassette does - I prefer to treat them as disposable items (at least with the way I've been crashing this year). And I think I prefer bars taped all the way to the end anyway.

magliaceleste

I've got a pair of Cinelli RAM 2 (the bar only not the uber expensive combined job). I think they are fab.

What you don't get with alloy bars is anywhere near the subtle shaping*, especially on the top/hood area. I've found them really comfortable, nice VR curve rather than the ergo shape and of course internal cable routing (ideal for Campag!) means there aren't any lumps and bumps. They also look great half-taped, but It's the comfort that wins it.

They are a lot of money still though, so if you crash it might be a bit sad!

* edit: Those 3T bars that Reddraggon has found look the closest I've seen - very interesting.

magliaceleste

redddraggon wrote:

I'm not a fan of carbon bars - they ain't any lighter than light Alloy bars - and the light alloy bars are normally a lot cheaper.
.

Nope. The carbon bar is over 60grams lighter. It's probably a damn site more expensive though.

http://www.thenew3t.com/products.aspx?i ... p=ergonova

a_n_t

gkerr4 wrote:

i wouldnt say i was "desperate" for carbon bars - but I do like them - I like the internal cable route capability - so you can tape up to the hoods and leave the flat (and 'blingy' carbon) tops exposed!

yeah it is nice

whyamihere

gkerr4 wrote:

have you tried the alternative cable run route - both cables out the front? - does it cause any ridges on the tape or bars?

It's quite nasty frankly. Leaves a sharp corner at the rear corner of the hood, which is precisely where a soft fleshy part of my palm rests. I prefer to ignore any lack of cable grooves and just tape the cable to the bar if there isn't a groove along the back, it's more comfortable.

gkerr4

a_n_t wrote:

gkerr4 wrote:

i wouldnt say i was "desperate" for carbon bars - but I do like them - I like the internal cable route capability - so you can tape up to the hoods and leave the flat (and 'blingy' carbon) tops exposed!

yeah it is nice

Ooh - I like them - what bars are they?

dbb

have you seen these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pro-CARBON-Road-Handlebar-42-cm_W0QQitemZ250317265789QQihZ015QQcategoryZ27951QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262
i have a pair and love the shape

a_n_t

gkerr4 wrote:

Ooh - I like them - what bars are they?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=110329371863


£65 off ebay, no name but almost identical to k-swords!