Integrated handlebars

[Harleyboy]

Evening, I’ve been looking at integrated cockpits/handlebars a bit lately and like the clean lines.

I’m not expecting to see any gains but might just save a few watts. I have a Trek Domane so have been looking at the Bontrager option but then noticed the Chinese carbon offerings for less than 20% of the cost. Are they total crap? Anyone had any experience?

Cheers
Adam

[anonymous-user]

Talking to a carbon mender / fabricator about such things. He said he has seen some fantastic frames / bars / wheels from no label Chinese manufacturers. And some horrible, dangerously weakly made ones too.

Trouble being they are sold as the same thing by the same sellers and you don’t whether the one in your box is brilliant or terrible unless and until you have it in your hands and know how to check: no consistency

[mikey P 500]

I have a toseek one on my road bike. Worrying light off the bike but once fitted feels fine. No issues so far.

[Harleyboy]

Thanks - kind of what I feared! I’ve seen the Toseek ones so good to get some feedback.

Just established that I can buy accessories through the cycle to work scheme so might just do that in the branded stuff and save almost have the cost.

Will ponder some more.
Have a great weekend - weather is ok for cycling in Wiltshire!

[Jehu son of Nimshi]

You might want to have a look at this. This guy has tried a lot of Chinese road bike equipment and reviews it fairly.

https://youtu.be/GF5AXiYfOBg

[Ares]

Both my Dogmas have MOST integrated headsets.

They look great and clean, and have the benefit of bolt to affix lights/OBC etc, but they do have an inherent lack of flexibility - its fixed stem length, fine if you have the right size, but you need to be very sure that it is or you are facing a big cost to take 5-10mm off it (i.e., replacing it).

[louiebaby]

I have all the cables hidden on my Cervelo S3, it's a 2019 model, which I think went unchanged for 2020. Aesthetically it is very pleasing.

It uses carbon bars with a groove along the bottom for the hoses and wires to run through. (Hydraulic disc and Ultegra Di2.)

This goes into a proprietary stem, which has a standard stem front to it, with an Easton Garmin mount that comes out of it.

This means that changing the stem would have to be a Cervelo one, but I wouldn't need to change the bars. I could also change the bars without changing the stem.

The routing is a faff, but that's the bike shop's problem, as I won't be swapping the stem or bars without their help, which would be caused by a new bike fit. I can do a couple of hours currently before it start to get a bit of a stiff back, I might consider a slightly shorter stem with more rise next time it is in for a service.

[outnumbered]

My view on integrated bars is: Would you be happy to fix your adjustable steering column on your car in a fixed position, and not be able to move it without spending >£200 (or even >£80 if going for the dodgy chinese version) ?

[Ares]

outnumbered said:

My view on integrated bars is: Would you be happy to fix your adjustable steering column on your car in a fixed position, and not be able to move it without spending >£200 (or even >£80 if going for the dodgy chinese version) ?

Flawed analogy IMO.... If the car was a race, single seater, then the steering wheel would be fixed. But once you has set up your bike to have the right geo, it doesn't need adjusting, and certainly not the headset.

As I say, I've got two fixed headset bikes, combined distance ridden will be c70,000km, both are perfectly set-up.

...oh and it would be £500-600 to change.


Yes, the biggest win in aesthetics, but isn't a lot of bike riding?

[louiebaby]

outnumbered said:

My view on integrated bars is: Would you be happy to fix your adjustable steering column on your car in a fixed position, and not be able to move it without spending >£200 (or even >£80 if going for the dodgy chinese version) ?

If I was going to be the only rider, and I knew it had been professionally fitted to be bob-on... Yup.

[Harleyboy]

Since my bike fit, I’ve not changed anything on my current set up so am not bothered as long as I can replicate that. If I buy the Bontrager version it has numerous combos so am confident it will fit. I’d get a bike shop to fit it.

You’re right, a lot of the decision making for bike kit is looks but need to check if I can route the hydraulic line from outside the forks to inside otherwise the clean look doesn’t really happen!

And I shan’t rush ‘cos that bike is now inside for winter.

Nice to have something to slightly fixate on that isn’t work though, isn’t it? It’s currently this and what wine to order for Christmas 😃

[outnumbered]

louiebaby said:

If I was going to be the only rider, and I knew it had been professionally fitted to be bob-on... Yup.

I expect you quite like seat masts as well

[louiebaby]

outnumbered said:

louiebaby said:

If I was going to be the only rider, and I knew it had been professionally fitted to be bob-on... Yup.

I expect you quite like seat masts as well

One of the benefits of being 6'8'' is that if I had one, I'd be unlikely to have to cut much off, so it wouldn't be too much of a problem for the the resale value.

It does kind of limit the second hand options for me to buy though.

[19Dogger87]

I have the pro stealth evo on my s works. Recently converted from conventional bar/stem. I've never actually had a professional bike fit, so I just tried out a few stem lengths to be sure before I purchased. Cables can't be fully hidden as I still have rim brakes.... can't fault them though, look great on the right bike too. Doubt they would suit my thin tubed steel winter bike mind....