Therefore, I have the chance to get a new road handlebar and stem for the Cervelo Aspero. This means that I am free to get anything I want. As I am using Dura-Ace Di2 with hydraulic disc brakes, it will be nice to get a road handlebar where the hydraulic hose and Di2 wire can be routed neatly inside the handlebar.
This narrows down the choice considerably, leaving options such as FSA and PRO. After checking in detail, I found that the routing holes on the FSA handlebar are not in the ideal location for hydraulic hose routing. Therefore, PRO is the choice, since they are actually affiliated with Shimano, and their products would presumably be compatible to Shimano products.
Even though I am building the Cervelo Aspero gravel bike, I will use it as a road bike too, when the Reynolds Assault road wheelset is installed. Therefore, I want to have a proper road handlebar, not a gravel handlebar. Besides, I am not a fan of flared gravel handlebars as they just don't feel comfortable for me.
I chose this PRO Vibe Aero Superlight Handlebar as it is one of the lightest handlebar by PRO. The flat aero sections look to be comfortable for holding as well. Let's take a closer look at the handlebar.
Pro Vibe Aero Superlight Handlebar
Features of this handlebar
Claimed weight is 205 grams, let's see how true it is.
I chose the 40 cm width to ensure it fits like a road bike.
Comes with anti slip paste to put on the contact surface between the handlebar and stem, to ensure no slippage without over tightening the clamp bolts.
Suggested Di2 wire routing through this handlebar. This assumes the usage of a Y split junction like how I did it on the Canyon Endurace.
The guide tubes are already inserted inside the handlebar, if you wish to follow the recommended wire and hose routing.
However, since I will be using my own routing, these guide tubes are useless to me. I appreciate the effort but they are not useful to me. The wire routing that I will use will be similar to that on the Dahon MuSP, where the wireless unit EW-WU111 will be installed inside the handlebar.
With the guide tubes pulled out of the handlebar
400 mm wide, with a compact drop and reach.
Aerodynamic shape on the tops
Integrated with Innegra fibre which is lightweight, vibration absorbing and also strong.
The curved parts of the drops are uniquely shaped, being flattened to make it a bit more aerodynamic.
Flattened drops. Not sure how it would feel when gripping it.
Cable hole near the hoods, to route the hose/cable/wire from the shifter into the handlebar.
Close up of the cable hole
Cable holes under the handlebar, which allows the hose/cable/wire to exit from the handlebar and be routed into the frame.
There is even a hole facing the stem, which allows a Di2 wire to run through the stem, if you want to install the Di2 battery inside the steerer tube.
Weighs 213 grams, just a bit more than the claimed 205 grams.
As for the stem, any stem will do, as long as it is compatible with the steerer tube and the handlebar. I decided to get a PRO stem as well to match the PRO handlebar.
Pro Vibe stem, with the unique V design on the face plate.
90 mm stem length, with a negative 10 degree tilt. It cannot be installed tilted up. Compatible with standard 1 1/8 inch steerer tubes (1 1/4 version also available). Made of aluminium.
For this stem, it is acceptable for the steerer tube to be lower than the surface of the stem clamp, as shown by the minimum fork height line.
Instructions showing how to install the special top cap.
Overall view of the PRO Vibe stem, with the backward facing face plate clamp bolts.
There is a hole near the top of the stem, which allows the Di2 wire to run into the steerer tube, through the stem.
View of the hole from the front of the stem.
Special shaped top cap, with recessed cutouts to allow internal Di2 wire routing.
Shape of the top cap matches the stem. This also means that standard round top caps cannot be used.
This stem weighs 132 grams, which is on the slightly heavy side.
Top cap and bolt weighs 15 grams.
Both the PRO Vibe handlebar and stem are rather special as they have unique features that are not found on other products, as far as I know.
PRO Vibe Aero Superlight Handlebar:
1) Flattened curve area of drops.
2) Many holes for internal routing.
3) Integrated with Innegra fibre.
PRO Vibe Stem:
1) Special face plate design.
2) Reversed face plate clamp bolts.
3) Special top cap.
4) Hole in stem to allow internal Di2 wiring.
5) Steerer tube is not supposed to protrude above the stem clamp.
I can't say that all these features are positive features. For some of them, it feels like it is purposely different for the sake of being different, without making it better.
For example, what is the point of having flattened drops on the handlebar? Once it is wrapped with bar tape, it will be oval shaped anyway and not really aerodynamic.. Not sure if the ergonomics of this flattened area will be good or not. As for the reversed face plate clamp bolts, it looks nice from the front but it is harder to install or adjust.
On hindsight, I might have gotten a standard FSA handlebar and stem, which would probably be cheaper and maybe a bit lighter. In any case, these PRO Vibe handlebar and stem will make this Cervelo Aspero quite unique as I am pretty sure no one else will use the same combination on this bike.
Hi there,
ReplyDeleteI have been having issues with slippage on the vibe handlebar that you have and was wondering the torque setting you go down to. Once I get down to 3nm I start hearing some crackling noises and this is with carbon paste.
Hi, I am wondering if you have any long term review on the Pro Vibe Aero SL bar? Especially your opinion on the flattened drop? Do you find it comfortable?
ReplyDeletePersonally I don't like it, as the flattened drops are uncomfortable.
DeleteHi, are the holes at the underside of the bar and near to hood position large enough to allow brake cables to pass thru with the flare nuts in place?
ReplyDeleteNope, they are only large enough for the hydraulic hose and 1 Di2 wire to pass through.
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