Road Cycling - ITM K-Sword/Integral: Any thoughts?

Greetings, all. Anyone had any first-hand (or second, third) with the ITM K-Sword bar, or better still, the Integral Bar/Stem combo version? I'm not typically a fan of integrated systems, though this one seems less so than others; you can adjust and even remove the bar from the stem. The stem seems to be an oversized version of their Uniko.

Anyone? I know it's pricey as hell...

I just put the ITM K-sword on my ride with the ITM carbon stem (not integral). This is my first carbon bar as well as one with the flat profile. I know it's dang pricey, but my God is this bar truly incredible. Not only is it light, but the "ergonomic profile" line is no lie. The flat top section is far more comfortable to lay your paws on, providing a perch that doesn't require you to cock your wrists up, and the scalloped/sloped areas at the outboard positions give you a truly comfortable alternative to the hoods and drops. If you can find one and afford one, get it. I give it a 10/10 for performance, finish, ergonomics, and pure sex appeal. I hope that this helps (Lord knows the bar helped make my 75-mile ride today even more enjoyable).

I just put the ITM K-sword on my ride with the ITM carbon stem (not integral). This is my first carbon bar as well as one with the flat profile. I know it's dang pricey, but my God is this bar truly incredible. Not only is it light, but the "ergonomic profile" line is no lie. The flat top section is far more comfortable to lay your paws on, providing a perch that doesn't require you to cock your wrists up, and the scalloped/sloped areas at the outboard positions give you a truly comfortable alternative to the hoods and drops. If you can find one and afford one, get it. I give it a 10/10 for performance, finish, ergonomics, and pure sex appeal. I hope that this helps (Lord knows the bar helped make my 75-mile ride today even more enjoyable).

It's posts like this that make me get excited about my new K-Sword that is on the way from Competitive Cyclists. They had a sale on them that was unbelievable...$219! The LBS's here never heard of it so I will stand out in a nice way in my race next Saturday.:beer:

Is it possible to adjust the bar angle relative to the ground with these things?

Here's mine. I enjoy this combination. I probably will cut the tape back a little, but a very comfortable bar.

Pics didn't upload. . . weird.

Pics didn't upload. . . weird.


Definitely cut the tape back to show how sensuous this baby is. Give you something to look at while you ride.

Leave the tape alone, function over form please!

They're too expensive but if you can find a good deal.

I like my Zipp bar and stem a lot, but I tried real hard to get a k-sword at a good deal before I settled on that.

Leave the tape alone, function over form please!




If he wears gloves like 99% of the roadies I see out there, tape is a bit superfluous. I also find it's nice to have something cooler to rest my hands on while climbing.

This is how a K-Sword should be taped. These are from the Cycling News tech features for the 2005 Tour. I don't think the K-Sword was wielded by any teams in 2006.


The bikes of the sprinters: Stuey's speedster
Another striking aspect of O'Grady's bike is the ITM's K-Sword carbon monocoque bar and stem. As well as being much sleeker than their counterparts from other manufacturers, they're claimed to be considerably stiffer. The K-Sword pairing gets its looks from some clever concealment of the clamps; instead of a two- or four-bolt front cap, the bar is held in place with 'grip wedges' behind the bar.


http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/tour05/tech/ogrady_wilier/IMG_0368.jpg
ITM's K-Sword bar and stem is right up there in the 'sleek' stakes. The handlebar clamp is hidden behind the bar for a very different look from the widely-used four-bolt stem caps.


http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/tour05/tech/ogrady_wilier/IMG_0377.jpg
ITM K-Sword handlebar has the increasingly-common flat top section for aerodynamics and - more importantly - a broad, comfy place to rest your hands.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/tour05/tech/ogrady_wilier/IMG_0372.jpg
Both the bar and stem are a one-piece monocoque design. The clamp bolt can be seen tucked away just next to the computer.

The Bastille Day bike: David Moncoutié's Cofidis Wilier Le Roi

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/tour05/tech/moncoutie_wilier/IMG_0642.jpg
ITM's K-Sword stem passes the bike porn test.


http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2005/tour05/tech/?id=/tech/2005/features/tour05/moncoutie_wilier
http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2005/tour05/tech/?id=/tech/2005/features/tour05/sprint-ogrady

This is how a K-Sword should be taped. These are from the Cycling News tech features for the 2005 Tour. I don't think the K-Sword was wielded by any teams in 2006.


The bikes of the sprinters: Stuey's speedster
Another striking aspect of O'Grady's bike is the ITM's K-Sword carbon monocoque bar and stem. As well as being much sleeker than their counterparts from other manufacturers, they're claimed to be considerably stiffer. The K-Sword pairing gets its looks from some clever concealment of the clamps; instead of a two- or four-bolt front cap, the bar is held in place with 'grip wedges' behind the bar.


http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/tour05/tech/ogrady_wilier/IMG_0368.jpg
ITM's K-Sword bar and stem is right up there in the 'sleek' stakes. The handlebar clamp is hidden behind the bar for a very different look from the widely-used four-bolt stem caps.


http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/tour05/tech/ogrady_wilier/IMG_0377.jpg
ITM K-Sword handlebar has the increasingly-common flat top section for aerodynamics and - more importantly - a broad, comfy place to rest your hands.

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/tour05/tech/ogrady_wilier/IMG_0372.jpg
Both the bar and stem are a one-piece monocoque design. The clamp bolt can be seen tucked away just next to the computer.

The Bastille Day bike: David Moncoutié's Cofidis Wilier Le Roi

http://www.cyclingnews.com/photos/2005/tour05/tech/moncoutie_wilier/IMG_0642.jpg
ITM's K-Sword stem passes the bike porn test.


http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2005/tour05/tech/?id=/tech/2005/features/tour05/moncoutie_wilier
http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2005/tour05/tech/?id=/tech/2005/features/tour05/sprint-ogrady


It was a detail that I wrestled with. I purchased the K Sword because of the comfort factor and the stem, because it seemed silly not to. The decision to tape it all the way up, was because I felt like the bold graphics detracted from the classic Italian styling of the frame. It is definitely a more comfortable bar.

Just got my K-Sword and it is a thing of beauty and form. I am very excited with the purchase. Can hardly wait to install it!

Werd on the "dont tape all the way up" school.....

I never put my hands on the bar tops, but do ride with hands perched at the tops of the bends, with heels of hands on the bar and palms on the brake hoods. Is a bar like this more comfortable (than a traditional bar) in that position?

I never put my hands on the bar tops, but do ride with hands perched at the tops of the bends, with heels of hands on the bar and palms on the brake hoods. Is a bar like this more comfortable (than a traditional bar) in that position?

For me it is. All I can say is that they are heavenly to grab in any position and awesome to look at.

Werd on the "dont tape all the way up" school.....
Ahhh...Cinelli Ram. It's on my list of must buy components.

I never put my hands on the bar tops, but do ride with hands perched at the tops of the bends, with heels of hands on the bar and palms on the brake hoods. Is a bar like this more comfortable (than a traditional bar) in that position?

Yes!

Ahhh...Cinelli Ram. It's on my list of must buy components.


I would have bought one of those integrated types but they don't offer them with other than a 0 degree rise. Too bad.

my God is this bar truly incredible. Not only is it light, but the "ergonomic profile" line is no lie. The flat top section is far more comfortable to lay your paws on, providing a perch that doesn't require you to cock your wrists up, and the scalloped/sloped areas at the outboard positions give you a truly comfortable alternative to the hoods and drops.

So true. I finally took the time to upgrade my whole front end. New fork, stem and handlebar. And I must say the comfort and looks of that K-Sword is incredible. Even the wife who is not a biker commented "Wow !" The best money I spent so far on my bike is this K-Sword. It's comfortable, it's sexy and above all has the wife's approval :D

Do any manufacturers make a similar Bar to the Sword/Ram with a non-anatomic drop?

Do any manufacturers make a similar Bar to the Sword/Ram with a non-anatomic drop?

Believe it or not the K-Sword is pretty much non-anatomic. I would call it a continuous curve or variable radius type. There aren't any sharp bends like on most anatomics. Some might disagree but that my take on it.

FSA K-Wing Carbon is also comparable to these bars. I like them a lot.

FSA K-Wing Carbon is also comparable to these bars. I like them a lot.

Not really. There is a moderate difference. The K-Wing is raised on the flat portion and they have true anatomic bends in the drops that are distinct. Something I didn't like on both counts.