Stiff, light round top integrated handlebars

[BikeTyson]

I'm currently using the S-Works Aerofly II handlebars but not a fan of the flat tops. I don't race often but do climb a bit, and like to climb on the tops. The flat tops just don't feel comfortable for me. So I'm looking for some new bars. I'd like to get an integrated bar/stem combo if possible, mostly for looks, but I'm open to a normal bar as well. I know the Alpinist cockpit fits my wants pretty well, and the Black Inc bar/stem combo looks good also. There's also the new Darimo cockpit. I'm a bigger guy at 85kg so also want a stiff bar that's not super flexy when putting down power.

For those of you that have experience with the Alpinist cockpit and/or the Black Inc bars, what are your thoughts? Any other options? Look like most integrated bars are aero bars with flat tops. Any other light stiff bars that people like? The weight weenie in me would love a set of the new Darimo bars, but not sure if they're even available yet, or if they'd be too flexy.

[UpFromOne]

As a 64kg rider, I like Darimo and have several, but when it came time for a custom bonding of their bar & stem,
I had to have the bars reinforced with extra layers of carbon (so the shifter clamps barely fit the increased OD).
Even their bars-only I had to reinforce from the inside.
So yeah, at your weight, steer way clear of Darimo.

I also have Black Inc, but just bars, not integrated. Those bars are stiffer than Darimo. Any bar is stiffer than Darimo.

I see the Cadex road bar at a very light weight, but have never seen one, nor any real-world reports about its stiffness.

Schmolkes are nice and fairly stiff, as broad on tops as Black, but have too deep a drop for my likes.

I've had THM Ulna, another solid bar but I don't like the flare (a bit more than Black). The hoods are narrower than the advertised width.

And Lightweights are good bars, they make a shallow version and seem very comparable to Black Inc.

It's amazing how small differences magnify on a part like handlebars.

[LanceLegstrong]

I see the Cadex road bar at a very light weight, but have never seen one, nor any real-world reports about its stiffness.

Those Cadex look sweet. Actually really like the AR version, albeit a little heavier than the race version. But dang that's a short reach. Definitely would have to size up on my stem.

I too thought about going with the Alpinst cockpit but don't think the cable routing would work with my Tarmac SL7. I am considering some round bars though.

[BigBoyND]

Add the Bonti Aeolus RSL to that list of bars to consider. Light, stiff, and still aero, without being as deep/flat as Aerofly

[nickf]

I'm not 85kg but I won't ride anything other than Easton bars. Excellent ergonomics. I'm running two of the E100 bars, not the lightest at 178g but they are a good compromise of weight and stiffness. On the gravel bike I'm running the slightly heavier EC90, again with great stiffness and weight.

[BikeTyson]

As a 64kg rider, I like Darimo and have several, but when it came time for a custom bonding of their bar & stem,
I had to have the bars reinforced with extra layers of carbon (so the shifter clamps barely fit the increased OD).
Even their bars-only I had to reinforce from the inside.
So yeah, at your weight, steer way clear of Darimo.

I also have Black Inc, but just bars, not integrated. Those bars are stiffer than Darimo. Any bar is stiffer than Darimo.

I see the Cadex road bar at a very light weight, but have never seen one, nor any real-world reports about its stiffness.

Schmolkes are nice and fairly stiff, as broad on tops as Black, but have too deep a drop for my likes.

I've had THM Ulna, another solid bar but I don't like the flare (a bit more than Black). The hoods are narrower than the advertised width.

And Lightweights are good bars, they make a shallow version and seem very comparable to Black Inc.

It's amazing how small differences magnify on a part like handlebars.

Really nice weight with Cadex coming from a bigger manufacturer compared to the smaller boutique brands like Darimo, THM, etc. Speaking of, the Schmolke are ok but I'm not liking the dimensions. The THM look good, too. But I'm wondering how stiff they are. I like the Black Inc though they're the heaviest of the bunch it seems. And for the Bontrager, they're just too long. Out of the ones listed, I think the Cadex might work if they can be found.

[LanceLegstrong]

Anybody try the Zipp SL70 ergo bars? They look good but I think they're pretty heavy. Any other bars with that little backsweep for the tops? The Cadex AR have it but the flare and outsweep make the drops like 48cm which I a little wide for my liking.

Sorry to hijack the thread.

[ryanw]

They're not internally routed. Have fitted the SL and Service Course.

I love my MCFKs, stiff, light, Di2 internally routed.

[LanceLegstrong]

They're not internally routed. Have fitted the SL and Service Course.

I love my MCFKs, stiff, light, Di2 internally routed.

Did you happen to weigh the SL? And I'm not too worried about the routing, I think they'd do ok with a Tarmac stem. Those MCFKs do look pretty sweet, too.

[ryanw]

They were a 42 and believe they came in 217g off the top of my head. Almost identical to SL70 aero.

[LanceLegstrong]

They were a 42 and believe they came in 217g off the top of my head. Almost identical to SL70 aero.

Oof. Well I think we're about the same size so if you think the MCFKs are stiff, they'll probably be the ones.

[ryanw]

Love them and 152g.
Much stiffer than their aero road bars.

[RNAV]

I have the Black Inc integrated bars on two of my bikes and love them. Ergonomics are outstanding. The tops aren't round, though . . . they have an aero profile, but it's minimalistic and very comfortable.

[treyxt]

I'm 90kg and am working on installing some zipp contour SL short & shallow bars tomorrow, i can let you know next week how these feel. weighed in at 190g for a 42cm. A little worried they may be a little flexy so we'll see. You could also look into pro vibe aero or round bars, the aero ones has a very less deep flat top section great for holding onto.

my reason for switching from aero bars was during sprints my forearm tends to hit the tops because tehy stick out so much toward me, so the round bars should be a good improvement in that regard

[fsp15923]

May I suggest a link to the proposed bars be also posted?

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