GamJams Tech: Premes, Picks, Promos — 3-11-10

As a cyclist, the search for newer and better gear is constant — there's always something else out there. Premes, Picks, Promos will highlight both the next big thing and the sleeper deal.

Like many beginning racers, I had no idea what I was getting into a few years ago. I knew only this: I wanted to race and I wanted a carbon bike with decent components on it.

That bike was found, secured for a reasonable price and taken home. Since it had that mix of "decent components," I didn't pay a ton of attention to the rest of it. The handlebar was an FSA Wing Pro — with big, flat tops — and it was awesome. (The aluminum version can be found for about $70.)

Those flat tops liberated me from gloves. Unless I'm racing or it's chilly, my hands are glove-free. And that's because they're pain-free. The wide, flat base distributes pressure over the entire palm, rather than in a thin line across center of the palm. In fact, I really can't stand most round bars anymore.

When it came time to order a new bike, I again went with a flat-top bar — the Bontrager RXL Blade ($299, right). The idea is the same — flat surface to make your hands feel good — but the execution is different.

Where the FSA bar has cable grooves under the bar, the Bontrager puts the cables in front. Picture an oval from the side, then lop off the front quarter. By putting the cables in the now-open space and wrapping them with tape, the oval is completed.

The down-under cable position of the FSA created a little ridge underneath, which was nice to use as kind of a "hook" as you wrapped your fingers down there. That ridge isn't present on the Bontrager bar, but I haven't spent enough time on it yet to figure out if it's a bad thing or a good thing.

If that ridge is a good thing — and if you have a bit of extra money laying around — check out the Pro Stealth Evo bar ($650). Pro is Shimano's house component brand (much like Bontrager is to Trek), and you'll see Pro components on Shimano-sponsored professional teams.

The Stealth Evo is an integrated-stem bar — as in, the carbon stem and bar are one giant piece. It comes in different stem lengths and bar widths, and it's indeed a comfy ride. The cables are routed under the bar — through guide tubes — so that ridge is right there. But unlike the FSA bar, that means you can't move the cables fore or aft to get the best feel.

In my admittedly limited time on the Stealth Evo, that cable position wasn't a problem. Perhaps if I spent a week on it, I'd have a better idea of where the cables should go. (There's a long-term test by VeloNews here.)

If you have hand problems, you owe it to yourself to at least check out a flat-top bar. For a guy who has spent the last 10-plus years typing and taking timeouts for sore wrists, the broad surface area is a lifesaver.

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In addition to being GamJams Tech Editor, Bryan Redemske manages the Trek Bicycle Store of Omaha, is a professional writer and a Cat 3 racer. He drinks a lot of coffee.

Comments

[Lance]

The flat top bars are great. I get some good deals on Easton stuff so I have an EC70 Aero and an EC90 Aero on my bikes. The EC70 has the cables in front and the EC90 has a cable groove on the bottom. They are both very comfortable on the hands. I really like being able to put my forearms on the bars and not have my hands fall asleep after ten minutes.

[David Morris]

You could always double wrap the bar or use gel pads to bulk it up. I do this, and with/without gloves, it feels pretty good.

But if you want a flat topped bar, you can get the Cinelli Vai Palm for <$100. Better than $600!