I need to replace my Easton EC90 carbon bars on my road bike to something I can safely clip my Oval Slam aero bars to. A couple of questions:
Is there any real advantage to the oversize bars? I’d have to switch my stem, but would do it if the oversize stuff is better (esp. since my current stem says “Bianchi” on it even though I ride a Merckx)
Any comments on the Deda Newton ergo bars? They look pretty nice.
Thanks.
OS bars are the future standard, get OS now if the Slam bars will fit, if not, get 26.0
The new Eason carbon bars allow clip ons, but they require 2 bolt stems
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Thanks, Gary. They also claim you can only use Easton aero bars – which sounds like a crock. Anyway, they’re much more expensive, too. Not sure if they are worth it.
Go with the Deda - I broke an EC90 (the older red one) and will never have another carbon road bar. Team Discovery liked 'em for 6 years. They are very light (under 215g for the largest size) and are much more durable.
Thanks. I’m going to make the switch. I have heard horror stories of carbon bars breaking and must confess that they are in the back of my mind while descending. I think I’ll feel better with the alloy rig.
Over size bars are just another industry gimmick, but as Gary says, they are also becoming the industry standard.
The only only other carbon bars that you can use with clip-ons are the Kestrel EMS Pro and the Oval equivalent that are kevlar reinforced, which makes them heavier than a good high end aluminium bar.
I don’t care as much about the weight. I like the carbon for the dampening and the weird bends they can make. I’m used to the odd diagonal bend in the top of the Eastons.
I personally don’t believe that carbon road bars or carbon seat posts offer any noticeable dampening over aluminium. Road bar tape will make more of a difference. My favorite is that tape from Shimano with the gel in it.
EC90 Equipe Pro bend
Not really sure why they mention the Easton bar only…as I have a set of Profile Jammers on mine. Works like a charm!
I believe that almost any Bar B Q you find along the road is worth trying. So get out there, ride and patronize those restaurants, stands and shacks. It just gives you an excuse to keep going further to find that next place along that country road.
I went to Fat Mama’s BBQ on my last ride. The cooks made fun of my shorts, then I turned them into toads. I did give them the opportunity to sign a contract- oops! I am not Lucifer anymore…
The reason they mention the Easton Bar is that it says directly on the bars instructions to NOT use clamp on aerobars. Funny that the stem to clamp the bar is fine. The “new” Easton bars supposedly “fixed” this problem, hence no warning.
No thanks - A good quality alloy bar (Deda Newton) is just as light as the new “reinforced” carbon ones anyway.
My friend is a Veltec rep says that the “newer” oversize bars were designed to be used with clamp on aerobars…thus the extended oversized section rather than simply the stem clamp section.
But, that doesn’t address the manufacturer issue. My guess is that each clamp is a lil different and perhaps the notches in the PD aerobars are prone to overtightening…
Guys, please, its ‘damping’. Dampening is what you do to your shorts if you’re scared very suddenly.