I was hoping that I could get some feedback from current owners on how they like this bar or from mechanics/fitters that have used them. I was also hoping that somebody might also have some pictures of it setup with ski bend extensions and the comfort pads.
I am thinking about getting some but the older threads don’t go into much detail in the reviews and there are hardly any photos.
Great bar. It’s the “default” bar that Dan & I use when teaching the FIST workshops, BUT you need to get the VENTUS armrest pads. The stock Brezza pads are crap.
Does your opinion of the Brezza also apply to the Brezza II? I am considering the Brezza as a replacement for my current Vision setup. The Brezza II is presumably less aerodynamic than the Brezza as it was designed to meet UCI conditions. What is your opinion of the 3T S-bends?
I just switched to this bar from a vision set up. I have the brezza ltd, not the brezza II. First thing, you have to switch to the comfort pads/cradle. It’s worth the money, and the placement of the pads vs ext tips of the s-bend are the most comfortable that I have ridden. I was originally going to put zipp ski bends on the bar, but they were way to short for me (now I have a NIB set of Vuka extensions in classifieds). The base bar/brake position is longer than the vision set up. So you’ll likely have to change set length when you make the switch. But it is stiff, light, well made, and simple. You’d be happy with it. For me it was the only bar that really made since to keep my stack but reduce the spacers under my stem. Ignore the word “foe” at the end of my message… I’m typing this on my iPhone and can’t seem to edit that typo out.
Foe
I have the Brezza Ltd. & the pads are cr*p as Rapp said. I use them though because I’ve doled out enough money this season for parts & will just have to put up with it for now. Using these on Ironman races & halfs so far & have managed to adapt somewhat. The Venus pad should be standard or just a re-design of the current pad for 3T, they’d be doing their product a service & possibly sell more of these bars because the comfort of the Brezza pads are sort of well known by those actually putting time into investigating/researching the bars. The not-so-great reviews on the pads may in fact sway someone away from these bars to a 2nd choice where they don’t have to make any upgrades on bars they just shelled out $1 or whatever for.
Do you have some pictures of some setups? I was hoping to see what they look like with the ski bends. Svein Tuft had his bike setup with them and they looked comfy and aero. Dave Z also has ridden with them but he has them hacked for his narrow elbow position.
I was planning on using them with SRAM brakes and the Vuka shifts.
Here are some that I found.
Any other reviews out there?
Pros: The entire system is rigid and goes together nicely. My previous bars allowed the elbow pads to flex too much and the Brezza’s have zero flex in the elbow pads.
The geometry is well thought out and adjustable. I have fairly wide shoulders, the stock parts did not allow me to get the elbow pads wide enough, but I added a 12mm aero space beneath each pad. Since they mount to the extension clamps at an angle, the 12mm spacers resulted in the elbow pads being wider apart and just about perfect width for me. The other added benefit is that the spacers raise the elbows wrt the extension ends/shifters, since the extensions are strict s-bends, this put the shifters exactly where my hands wanted to find them. So, I didn’t like the fit attainable with the stock parts, and the fit with after market spacers is nigh on perfect for me, so I’m stoked. The cable routing is really nice as well. Unintentionally I’ve ended up with the 3T Brezza’s, a 3T Team stem, and the red 3T fork, making me a label whore.
Cons: Two small issues with the Brezza’s. One, since the extension clamps are attached flat to the base bar, there is no way to pivot the extensions/arm rests without ostensibly moving the base bar out of the most aero position. w/e. Two, the bolts that are included that go through the base bar and into the extensions are only long enough to engage about 2-3mm (estimating here) of the fine threads in the clamps. Using a torque wrench to make sure I didn’t over tighten the bolts, I ended up pulling the threads out of one of the extensions, which SUUUCKS. The bolts are 30mm and need to be 35mm in length. I went down to the Ace and picked up some stainless 35mm bolts and sure enough, mucho thread engagement, even on the one that had gotten stripped out. I emailed the contact on the website, asking wtf, and have yet to hear anything back from anyone, so make that three complaints about the bars. If you get the bars, do yourself a favor and get 35mm bolts from the get go.
Of all the bars I’ve worked with, the 3T are my favorite. Probably would be really nice with some HED lazy-S extensions.
Thanks for the thorough and thoughtful review. I was planning on getting the ski bends and the Ventus comfort pads. I am a little concerned that I won’t be able to move the pads back, because it looks like they are secured directly above/onto the risers as opposed to onto the extensions themselves. I guess I could shorten the stem and lengthen the extensions if I need to get the pads closer to my elbows/ more under my torso.
Can the pads move forward and backwards are are they stuck in one fixed position about the base bar?
Thanks.