So I get the design of the handlebar to maximize the 3:1 as Cervelo found the handlebars to account for around 30% of the drag. Makes perfect sense. Anyone know if there is any data comparing something like the Cervelo version against the Zipp, Specialized or Bontrager aero bars? I would assume they would all be fairly close, but that the Cervelo would still come out slightly ahead? Especially with the leading edge of the Cervelo aero bars covering the front of the stem.
Are there any downsides to the Cervelo bar that I might want to know about since I am potentially considering purchasing one?
I do think not being able to put a Garmin on a Barfly/K-Edge mount is a drawback. Seems like a waste to have such a sleek setup and then have to strap your computer to the stem.
I would also be curious to see the aero impact of an out-front mount vs on the stem.
**Are there any downsides to the Cervelo bar that I might want to know about since I am potentially considering purchasing one? **
One that quickly came to my mind when I first saw these, but that the smart engineers at Cervlo most likley factored in was stem-face-plate and bolt access competitibility.
Is it universal, or will it only work on certain stems/face-plates?
Cervelo has also stated that the computer on the stem is not aero “negative.” I think.
Cervelo has also excluded riders with SRM or Pioneer head units, which do not have a stem mount option. Not that I would ever mount my Pioneer head unit on a stem anyways, it would look way clunky.
No downsides that I can see except for 1 kinda big one:
They’re not clip-on compatible.
Maybe. For me, it will be used as a road bike. But I could see for someone wanting to use for tris. But if you run Di2, wouldn’t be too hard to throw a set of integrated tri bars on it.
3T Aeronova and the Bontrager XXX Aero are the only “new” aero road bars that take clip ons that I recall? I know the Zipp SL-70’s doesn’t take them. The Specialized Aerofly doesn’t have any clip ons that fit it if I recall correctly? I could be wrong about that.
It’s only available as a “compact drop” (Boo).
True. I think it would still work for me. I need to look at the numbers again.
The Zipp SL-70 is the other one I was considering. Cervelo is claiming 7.7w reduction and Zipp is claiming 6.4w reduction both at 30 mph over a round tube handlebar.
I haven’t seen any claims from Bontrager, 3T or Specialized regarding their aero road bars.
The Zipp SL-70 is the other one I was considering. Cervelo is claiming 7.7w reduction and Zipp is claiming 6.4w reduction both at 30 mph over a round tube handlebar.
I haven’t seen any claims from Bontrager, 3T or Specialized regarding their aero road bars.
I owned the SL-70 prior to the Cervelo bar and I must say I vastly prefer the Cervelo bar. For whatever reason the “hood” position is much more comfortable (I can set it up to be overall a little “flatter” in the transition area between bar and hood) and the flat bar section is much more comfortable (a little deeper and grippier due in part to the decals/paint job having multiple “layers” so to speak).
I owned the SL-70 prior to the Cervelo bar and I must say I vastly prefer the Cervelo bar. For whatever reason the “hood” position is much more comfortable (I can set it up to be overall a little “flatter” in the transition area between bar and hood) and the flat bar section is much more comfortable (a little deeper and grippier due in part to the decals/paint job having multiple “layers” so to speak).
Cheers. Thanks for the personal note regarding your experience with the Cervelo aero bar. Do you ever miss being able to put your hands on the tops when riding (specifically climbing)? Or do you feel there are enough comfortable hand positions on the Cervelo bar to keep you happy?
Cervelo has also stated that the computer on the stem is not aero “negative.” I think.
Below is Damon’s response to that question regarding where to place the bike computer when he was still working for Cervelo:
Would be nice to test your barstem, but no promises - we already have more ideas than testing time.
Regarding your stem choice, we found a “streamlined” clamp resulted in more drag overall. So we canned the “aero” stem part of the project (niiice - that was a structural nightmare).
**In fact, when we added a Garmin 800 on top of the stem (standard quarter turn mount with rubber O-rings), the drag went down again, saving 20 grams (at 30.0 mph). **
Bottom line, we recommend using a standard 4-bolt face plate and a Garmin with your Cervelo drop bars.
Yea, I meant negatively affected drag. Sorry, poor choice of phrasing.
I prefer the Cervelo bar in every way compared to the Zipp. Every hand position, except for the drops, is different. The drops’ position is basically the same, but I have better bar tape now. So it’s more comfortable.
I figured that is what you meant. I just thought it would be worthwhile to have Damon’s comment in here as well if anyone ever came back to this thread in the future.
One that quickly came to my mind when I first saw these, but that the smart engineers at Cervlo most likley factored in was stem-face-plate and bolt access competitibility.
Is it universal, or will it only work on certain stems/face-plates?
It looks like it will work with most stems.
I’m pretty sure it won’t work with a Ritchey C260 which has a clamp that wraps around the bars 260 degrees instead of the usual 180.
There definitely wouldn’t be a faceplate bolt access problem with the C260 since the bolt head is on the stem side instead of the face place side.
I have both the zipp Vila sprint and the cervelo bar. Both are fantastic. I like the shape of the tops on the cervelo bar more. I wish there was an elegant garmin solution out front, but am getting by just fine with it on the stem. One thing to consider is that the edge of the tops on the cervelo extend beyond the stem faceplate while zipp ends at the stem. The reach in the tops is further out while the hoods are in the same place.
I am just trying to decide if the price increase of the Cervelo is worth it over the Zipp SL-70 aero bar for myself. I can get a discount on the Zipp, which would end up making it $120 cheaper than the Cervelo handlebar. The performance aspect between the two seems minimal (although slightly in Cervelo’s favor). Just trying to decide if one will be easier to work on and actually be more comfortable to ride with on a daily basis. If it is a wash, I’ll just as happily go with the cheaper option.
I thought the point of the “bridge” in front of the stem was to mount a garmin using a mount and the rubber bands so its as close to being “out front” as possible?
3T Aeronova and the Bontrager XXX Aero are the only “new” aero road bars that take clip ons that I recall? I know the Zipp SL-70’s doesn’t take them. The Specialized Aerofly doesn’t have any clip ons that fit it if I recall correctly? I could be wrong about that.
Enve SES Road Aero bar does take clip-ons as well, however, only the ones made by Enve specifically for that bar Total price for such a set isn’t too inspiring, though.
Total price for such a set isn’t too inspiring, though.