Handlebar Review - 3T Ergonova Team

Triathlon Forum
1

Just did a short review on the 3T Ergonova Team handlebars at my blog. Direct link is here:

http://stevefleck.blogspot.com/2009/11/new-bars-3t-ergonova-team.html

As usual, comments and thoughts are welcome here or or at the blog.

2

LOL - we seem to have similar taste. GREAT bar for sure. Almost my entire team uses them!

3

Fleck:

How tall are you for the 59 R3? What width bar did you get?

Bob

4

Gack - yuck! Nasty! I just found a Deda Newton Deep (Belgian bend?) and it’s a revelation after a so called ergonomic bar :wink:

5

Bob,

I am 6’2". My R3 is a 58. The Ergonova bar is a 44.

6

I just found a Deda Newton Deep (Belgian bend?) and it’s a revelation after a so called ergonomic bar

Glad you found something that works for you. That’s key. Bar choice is very personal.

7

Fleck - you stopped short of communicating the benefits of compact bars!

Another option would be (2) in the FSA line. I prefer alloy bars. When using SRAM, I’ll route the cables on both sides with provide a bit more “wing” (wrist relief). I can post pix if needed.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/product-components/2009-fsa-wing-pro-compact-white-handlebar-5290.28.1.html
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/road-bikes/product-components/2010-fsa-k-force-compact-carbon-fiber-handlebar-4182.221.0.html

How do you like the R3 and what were you riding before?

8

Can you add clip on aero bars to any of these ergo bars? I currently use a road bike with Profile T2 aerobars when racing and would like to use an ergo/wing type bar for normal day to day riding but need the clip-ons when I race. Thanks/

9

you stopped short of communicating the benefits of compact bars!

I thought I had addressed that regarding:

  • Hand size, those with smaller hands will like them

  • I find it easier to find the sweet spot of having the optimal position for both riding on the hoods and in the drops with the shallow/compact bars. With standard drop, it’s been my experience that when I try and get the drop position optimal, the hoods are off( too high) or the opposite - hoods are right but now drops are too low.

Yes an alternative is the FSA Compact series.

10

I’ve never been happy with my drops. Then again they are old school and a very traditional profile.

I may have to look into these.

11

Does anyone know what the heck is going on with 3T? I have gone through their site and heard nothing and at least 8 web retailers have all said, ‘sorry we don’t know when they are coming’. I’m looking for the Ergonova Pro alloy in a 44cm. Very odd that no one can even get an estimated date…the sites that will let you place an order w/o telling you it’s backordered drive me insane…I made calls to each site if it said they were in stock and they told me they are not…any leads would be great…thanks!

12

FSA Compacts are another similar option in either alu or carbon. The drop and propfile are similar to the 3T Ergonova

13

Thanks…just read this and found them readily available…ordering up some as we speak…regards.

14

Fleck - Have you found that the 44cm width suits you well? What width have you used previously? I am planning to purchase this bar to help shorten my reach. It seems that 3T measures handlebar width differently than others in that a 42cm bar is effectively only 40cm at the hoods (where I spend most of my time). 3T apparently measures the width at the drops which are flared out around 2cm… so while I normally use a 42cm bar I’d want a 44 in this one right??

15

This seems to be fairly common with many of the compact style bars - to flare out slightly at the drops. I think they do this so that you have a bit more clearance when riding in the drops and out of the saddle(sprinting). I ride the 44’s and yes they are slightly narrower at the hoods.

16

FSA Compacts are another similar option in either alu or carbon. The drop and propfile are similar to the 3T Ergonova

I’ve got the FSA Wing Pro Compact on my road bike. Almost identical to the 3T bars. It was basically a coin flip between the two based on what was in stock at the time when I bought them. Can’t say enough good things about the bars. Comfortable at every position.

17

Easton and Zipp both make a very similar bar as well.

The 3T bar has a bit more reach than either the FSA or Easton, while IIRC, the reach of the Zipp bar is close to that of the 3T.

Made the mistake of not pulling my FSAs off a bike I just sold, so will be installing a new 3T Ergonova (alu) tomorrow. Just holding it I like the top section less than the FSA and Easton, which have a wing, as opposed to egg, shape, but we’ll see how it rides. I hope I like it, as the added reach is a bonus for me.