Integrated stem/handlebar?

K0Power
K0Power Posts: 30
edited July 2013 in Road general
Anyone have one of those integrated stem/handlebars? They look cool, but can you notice any difference?

Comments

  • sloppyschleckonds
    sloppyschleckonds Posts: 8,019
    Who cares if you notice a difference, they are cool asfuck.
    I'm sorry you don't believe in miracles
  • FatTed
    FatTed Posts: 1,205
    http://www.light-bicycle.com/carbon-roa ... -handlebar
  • joshoregan
    joshoregan Posts: 105
    theyre super stiff. i usually dont notice this kindf of stuff, id barely notice swapping std carbon/ good aluminium butwhen installed if you stand in front of the bike and put force down on top of your levers youll notice theres no flex, the sort of flex you get from standard bar stem. thing is no adjustment, usually heavier but they definitely look the part. a guy from ukraine sells fsa top model ones in black or white on ebay for about 110 quid. definitely the real deal. have also had chinese cinelli ram2 bars that i got for about 75 quid and questions that they were even replicas when i got them. they wore well and had no issues with them but might well be touch and go, not too sure
  • StillGoing
    StillGoing Posts: 5,211
    Yes have FSA Plasma integrated carbon bars fitted to my Basso Astra. The ergonomics of the bar make it so much more comfortable to hold but you need to ensure you get the stem length calculated correctly as there is no switching stems if you get it wrong. The FSA bars come with an out front device holder too that you can fit if you want it.

    I do not believe those replica bars on ebay are genuine FSA. Copies yes.
    I ride a bike. Doesn't make me green or a tree hugger. I drive a car too.
  • rolf_f
    rolf_f Posts: 16,015
    philthy3 wrote:
    I do not believe those replica bars on ebay are genuine FSA. Copies yes.

    Seems to be lots of fake FSA about - not quite sure what FSA do to deserve so much fakery! Anyway, I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole.
    Faster than a tent.......
  • imposter2.0
    imposter2.0 Posts: 12,028
    K0Power wrote:
    Anyone have one of those integrated stem/handlebars? They look cool, but can you notice any difference?

    You will if you break it - you'll have to replace the whole thing. Your reach and angular adjustment options are limited (ie non-existent) as well. Personally, I think they look cack.
  • lawrences
    lawrences Posts: 1,011
    No adjustability and they generally weigh more than a standard setup.

    Just get a good pair of carbon bars and a good stem and you'll have a better ride.

    Though it won't look as cool as this:
    cinelli_ram_handle_bars_mike_giant_01.jpg
  • pinarellokid
    pinarellokid Posts: 1,208
    i have had a pair of the Chinese ones for 12 months now without any issues at all. very stiff and look cool i think, i like the internal routed cables .

    but you definitely have to buy the right size.
    mine were 10g heavier than what they replaced
    Specialized S Works SL2 . Campagnolo Record 11spd. rolling on Campag Zonda wheels

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  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,413
    i have cinelli ram2 ones (black not the one above!), much stiffer than separate bars/stem i had before but with less road buzz, added a bit of weight vs. separates, the stem has an alloy clamp/core

    you need to look carefully at bike and bars to be sure you can get the correct position, it's not just the reach but the angle, aside from adding/removing spacers to change height there's no way to adjust anything (and if you've got no spacers and the steerer is cut to match, you can't even adjust that)
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny
  • ugo.santalucia
    ugo.santalucia Posts: 28,321
    The extra stiffness that you don't really need (why on earth would you need extra stiffness?) comes at a hefty price... plus as mentioned previously, you can't adjust the angle and you have to replace the all thing if you shear a thread or damage it while doing up the bolts or in a crash... it can only be an impulse buy, as it doesn't make any sense at all
    left the forum March 2023
  • styxd
    styxd Posts: 3,234
    Get a Dirty Dog Reaper stem, they look cool and also offer all of the adjustment of a conventional stem. Best of both worlds.

    Skull%20Medium%202-700x650.jpg
  • sungod
    sungod Posts: 17,413
    ugo.santalucia wrote:
    The extra stiffness that you don't really need (why on earth would you need extra stiffness?) comes at a hefty price... plus as mentioned previously, you can't adjust the angle and you have to replace the all thing if you shear a thread or damage it while doing up the bolts or in a crash... it can only be an impulse buy, as it doesn't make any sense at all

    because i prefer it

    you may not

    i do

    therefore it makes perfect sense

    or are you seriously claiming that only your preferences and opinion count?
    my bike - faster than god's and twice as shiny

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