I have decided to replace my Vision Tech Pro integrated aerobars with the sloping basebar. I want to get one that has a flat basebar for better climbing. I really like my current setup, other than the sloping basebar, so I want to stay with Vision Tech. I am torn between getting the integrated Trimax and the component system using the separate base bar and clip-ons. I pretty much have my position dialed in, so I’m not to concerned about the flexibility of the component system.
I don’t know about the integrated bar, but I just added the VT carbon clipons to my VT basebar. The clips replaced a set of C2s. I went with the VT clips because I can set the armrests right down on top of the base bar. This allowed me to raise the base bar more than 3cm, while keeping the armpads at the same distance below the saddle. I was also able to get rid of a sketchy ITM adjustable stem (“stupid light” design) and get back on a bombproof Profile stem. I feel much safer now.
To do this, I cut the 12.5mm risers that came with the clips down to 5mm and got new bolts from the hardware store. The armrests ended up clearing the top of the base bar by about 3mm.
It worked out perfectly, and I can now stand a lot more comfortably. I used the armpads from the C2s because they’re bigger (and I’m so used to them from 3+ years on them).
The VT clips are a very clean, no-fuss design. Elegantly made.
Anyhoo – I love this setup. I suppose the main difference from the integrated bar is that I can use my choice of stem. My stem is more down-angled than the one available on the integrated bars.
I agree that I would and will be getting the 2 piece set-up. I talked with the guys at the FSA/VT booth at Ralph’s - I had some questions as it seemed the integrated bars were heavier than the individual pieces (I think I included the stem…) - but anyway - they said the new integrated bars are designed to be more aero. If you look at them - the 2 piece center is round while the new 1 piece is wing shaped throughout - they then said that they had to beef it up in the middle or some such and thats why it was heavier…thats the best of my recall though and it may be off a bit. Also the newer integrated have degrees of thinness - so the newest/carbon version is thinner than the newest/aluminum one and that is thinner than what is available now…
I don’t vouch for 100% accuracy of the above but that is my recall…
I will and still would get the old 2 piece design.
Ashburn , just read your post about cutting down VT clip on risers , how did you go about cutting them ? I’ve just bought an alloy set to replace my Syntace streamliners for the same reason and was considering cutting the riser if required but hadn’t settled on a method that would ensure everything remains square , parallel and each riser at the same height. Thanks, Mark
I put them in a vise with a cloth for some cushioning. I set them with the flat top edge sticking out the side of the vise, vertically. I then very carefully sawed down through them with a hacksaw. The first one came out a little crooked, but I got the next two right. After sawing them, I worked them over with a flat file to get the top edge nice and flat and smooth and to de-burr the edges. It took all of 15 minutes to do.
You only really need to do this if your stem won’t go any lower.