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Integrated bar/stem vs traditional set up
Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2019 5:51 pm
by Djakninn
I recently built up a Factor O2 disc and although the bike is great in every way, I seem to find that there is a feeling of what I can only describe as a disconnect when I ride it.
I thought at 1st it was just because it was new, but a couple of weeks later I still feel the same and although I can't put my finger on the cause, my experience of other bikes I've ridden seem to be pointing me to the integrated bar and stem. Any other bike I've rode has been the traditional set up of separate bars and stem and as I don't seem to be too sensitive to slight differences between bikes, I usually feel quite at home within an hour or 2 of being sat on one.
Basically, could the extra stiffness of the bar/stem be causing this sensation?
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Integrated bar/stem vs traditional set up
Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2019 5:51 pm
by Weenie
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Re: Integrated bar/stem vs traditional set up
Posted: Sat Aug 10, 2019 7:51 pm
by wheelbuilder
I have also found that big flat section aero bars can take some of the liveliness out of the front end. Not sure if accurate, but I know what you are talking about.
Re: Integrated bar/stem vs traditional set up
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 11:48 am
by ichobi
What bar are you using?
I think I tried most mainstream aero one.piece bar stem, and here is my observation.
- light integrated bar tend to be less stiff than separated bar / stem of good quality. But it also absorb vibration better. I am using the blackinc bar stem with my tarmac sl6 and I couldn't produce qlas maximum sprint watts as my syntace bar and stem.
- heavy integrated bar like the Canyon H11 or Vision Metron 6d/5d can be as stiff as separated pieces. They can also be quite harsh.
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Re: Integrated bar/stem vs traditional set up
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 6:17 pm
by tomato
Djakninn wrote: ↑Sat Aug 10, 2019 5:51 pm
I recently built up a Factor O2 disc and although the bike is great in every way, I seem to find that there is a feeling of what I can only describe as a disconnect when I ride it.
I don't know what "disconnect when I ride it" means, but I have an O2 with the integrated bar/stem and it is a very quick-handling bike.
Re: Integrated bar/stem vs traditional set up
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 7:53 pm
by Djakninn
I think what I was trying to convey is that on other bikes I feel that the bike becomes an extension of me, whereas on the O2 i'm not quite feeling that.
I'm pretty sure it's the Black Inc integrated bar stem. I was racing on Thursday night on the TCR and I get a bit of flex on the drops on my Zipp SL Contour bars, which I personally like. Had a long cycle today and the black Inc set up doesn't offer any flex, which I think is causing the sensation i'm feeling. Was really just wondering if anyone else had a similar experience before changing things out as it was a PITA routing all the Di2 wiring through the bars.
tomato wrote: ↑Sun Aug 11, 2019 6:17 pm
Djakninn wrote: ↑Sat Aug 10, 2019 5:51 pm
I recently built up a Factor O2 disc and although the bike is great in every way, I seem to find that there is a feeling of what I can only describe as a disconnect when I ride it.
I don't know what "disconnect when I ride it" means, but I have an O2 with the integrated bar/stem and it is a very quick-handling bike.
Re: Integrated bar/stem vs traditional set up
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 8:57 pm
by cerro
Is your new bike set up exactly like your old one? For me it takes around 4000km until I feel one with a bike, even without a single change in position over that time.
Re: Integrated bar/stem vs traditional set up
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 9:42 pm
by Djakninn
Yeah, got everything set up as per my other bikes. I wouldn't be changing anything til next year anyways.
I usually hire a bike when I travel abroad and usually within an hour or 2 I usually gel with them. I don't seem to be overly sensitive to switching between different bikes, just so happens I'm feeling something noticeable for a change
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Re: Integrated bar/stem vs traditional set up
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 11:04 pm
by tomato
Djakninn wrote: ↑Sun Aug 11, 2019 7:53 pm
I'm pretty sure it's the Black Inc integrated bar stem. I was racing on Thursday night on the TCR and I get a bit of flex on the drops on my Zipp SL Contour bars, which I personally like. Had a long cycle today and the black Inc set up doesn't offer any flex, which I think is causing the sensation i'm feeling. Was really just wondering if anyone else had a similar experience before changing things out as it was a PITA routing all the Di2 wiring through the bars.
If I were making a list of possible reasons why two bikes didn't feel the same, bars/stem would be on the list, but certainly not at the top.
Re: Integrated bar/stem vs traditional set up
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 11:13 pm
by kode54
So you're saying that the Black Inc. bar combo is stiffer than the bar /stem on your other bike?
I have an O2 as well and I didn't get the Black Inc combo since I was still fiddling with the fit. Could be that the handlebars aren't wrapped like your other handlebar that is round?
Re: Integrated bar/stem vs traditional set up
Posted: Sun Aug 11, 2019 11:13 pm
by Weenie
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Re: Integrated bar/stem vs traditional set up
Posted: Mon Aug 12, 2019 12:19 am
by gorkypl
For me it's more the handlebar width and stem length that may be the cause, not the integrated vs separate bar/stem.
Although I know what you are talking about, I think it might be subjective, but I regained much of the 'connected' feeling when I went back from Di2 to cable shifters.