I’ve seen the thread that ran here a couple of weeks ago about the Visiontech carbon basebar. I think its existence may still be in question … like Bigfoot. It doesn’t appear on any retail websites that I can find, though there have apparently been some sightings in stores.
Someone said the “wings” are something like 6mm deep as opposed to the alloy version that’s 11mms. I’d like to see this basebar. The photo on the VT website is lame and doesn’t make it look any different at all from the alloy basebar.
If anyone has one of these carbon basebars and can post some good pics, I’d appreciate it. Price and availability info would be nice, too.
I looked at it a few days ago and compared it to alloy version.
Just eyeball, no calipers - wings look same size, width and thickness at tip, but the carbon bar maintains that thinner thickness all the way to the center round section, whereas the alloy starts tapering to a thicker section mid span to the round section in the center. Overall it appears the carbon bar has a bit smaller frontal area.
The carbon bar seems plenty stiff to me as I was curious since I read a comment that it was ‘flexy’.
Did not appear ‘flexy’ to me.
From the Vision Tech 2006 Catalog referring to the alloy bar:
What is the best way to choose the BaseBar width?
The Vision Basebar is designed with a very aerodynamic wing section and is far more aerodynamic versus a standard round cowhorn or road bar set up. The Vision Basebar comes in two sizes, 40cm or 42cm width. (measured center to center) In ing the Basebar properly, one doesn’t by shoulder width (such as in ing a road bar), but in how long the events are, how hilly and technical the courses are, your skill at handling the bike, and how important aerodynamics are for the biggest events you will be doing.
The 42cm width makes climbing out of the saddle easier, because the wider width adds increased leverage and a stable platform for handling the bike, especially in strong cross winds. If you have your armrest plates fairly wide, and expect to be using the BaseBar for technical courses that have strong crosswinds, sharp turns, or extended climbing, then the 42cm width.
The 40 cm width is more aerodynamic due to its reduced frontal area. If the courses you do are flat or you are never in the Basebar position, then the 40cm width BaseBar would be the best bar to choose.
The most popular size for triathlon is 42cm width. For flat non technical courses, and for riders that wish to remain in the aero position with minimum drag, then 40cm width would be the advantage. This is the size that many Time Trialist use.
From a website store:
FEATURES - Aerodynamic continuous 3K strand carbon/Kevlar base bar Zero degree flat wing with internal cable routing. Fits 26.0 clip-ons. Width - 41cm (c-c) Weight - 220g
So … who knows … maybe Vision Tech split the difference on the carbon bar.
I’d like to see that. I’m not worried about +30g for the alu but if there are obvious aero advantages for the carbon … well…
If the choice is between a 42 cm aluminum bar and a 41 cm carbon bar, then at least based on what has been stated in this thread the latter should have less frontal area. OTOH, if the choice is between a 40 cm aluminum bar (which is what I own) and a 41 cm carbon bar, I don’t think the answer is quite as obvious.
I had planned to install my new Vision carbon bars this evening. They were promised to arrive here today. I have two identical TT bikes and I’d have been able to post a pic with a side-by-side comparison of a Vision alloy bar and a carbon bar. But alas … Vision screwed up and shipped a set of alloy bars by mistake.
I’m still not convinced these elusive things actually exist. Wait a minute … I actually did see a set on a bike in Atlanta. I forgot about that. They were gorgeous and the wings were actually a good bit thinner (narrower?) in frontal area than the alloy bars. In fact, I recall wondering how you could route a cable through them. I guess we’ll see … eventually.
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I had planned to install my new Vision carbon bars this evening. They were promised to arrive here today. I have two identical TT bikes and I’d have been able to post a pic with a side-by-side comparison of a Vision alloy bar and a carbon bar. But alas … Vision screwed up and shipped a set of alloy bars by mistake.
Bump.
Like Mr. Murphy, I’d love to see a head-on pic of these bars, esp. in comparison to the alloy version.
Sorry I can’t help. I got the wrong item shipped to me, returned it, then decided to go in a new direction. I never got my hands on a carbon version of the Vision bar.