Hey, I recently purchased a used bike and have been able to identify as well as gather info on all the components, excluding these handlebars. I believe they are Modolo Flash, grey/gunmetal matte like finish. Red M Logo. Google leads to brief mentions, modolo brake's or random bike pictures (can't hate on a random bike pic tho ). Does anyone know anything about them, what they are made out of, etc? Some people seem to think Modolo makes classy gear but these looked on the lower end, almost tacky in place. I have the eyes of a newbie cyclist, so what do I know.

From a recent ebay sale:

Also: read here

Having posted this, I will also say that I have used a similar design Modolo Speedy stem and have had no creaks or cracks, but I would not subject them to aero bars, either.

Modolo Flash and Speedy lines are entry level models in their lineup. Decent enough quality stuff, with nice enough finish (although I think they do have some plastic parts that could have been done in metal at the cable adjuster area). Good enough for many manufacturers to specify them on their mid-line models in the mid to late 80's. Be careful though, because sometime sellers misrepresent their actual value and try to sell them at elevated prices as if they are top of the line stuff because of the "Modolo" name on them.

Chombi

...yikes. Uh, that link has me petrified, at least how my mind plays out an incidence of split handlebars. Who knew they could be so treacherous. Thank you for the information, as I would have not considered them to epic fail on me.

>> Hey, you asked about the handlebars and Ex Pres comments on a STEM...

I've been using a Modolo Flash handlebar, gun metal like you described for over +10yrs... no problems. Anymore info on Modolo handlebars appreciated, mine are inscribed "FLASH Anatomic Design Brevettato" (itlian for patented) Anyone know where or if Modolo stamped the size anywhere, before I peel off the tapes etc..?

The thread title was handlebar/stem, so response was perfectly appropriate. I've been using a Modolo X-Tenos (IIRC) stem for well over 10 years with no problems. That pic in the linked article worries me though... may have to change it out. Any recs for good quill stems? Cinelli? Nitto?

oh sorry, I didn't mean his response about the stem was not appropriate. But rather the Bike Lane's fear that the handlebars would split, since the info points only to Modolo *stem* failure, and not the *handlebars*.

I've got the Flash handlebars on two different bikes and I like them a lot. They are very comfortable for me and offer lots of different hand positions. I imagine that they were some of the early ergonomic handlebars since they came on my '87 Battaglin.

yep, the stems can be suspect (I retired the one I had) but never heard any problems with the handlebars. Modolo was the originator of (and held the patent on) the first "ergonomic bend" bar design. Later they licensed the design to at least one Japanese mfg. (was it Sakae Ringyo?).

The the lineup of bars are fine. I have an Equipe model and it's clamped by the infamous Professional stem.
Although the Flash and Speedy stems weren't recalled, prudence dictates to go with an alternative.

All this talk of the design being flawed gets me worried every few months or so. I've got Modolo Q-Even bars on a Modolo Q-Even stem, and the design is pretty much the same as the ones mentioned above (and the pictured failure too!). I do get a bit of a creak when i really put into a climb but i've never paid it much attention. yikes! am i taking a risk using this set-up?

I bought one of these Modolo stems back in 1986, when they first came out. I believe it was the Master SSC. There was a recall mentioned in Bicycling magazine for it a few years later. Mine broke all at once, without making any noise at the stem that I recall. After it broke, I could see how little material there was at the cross section where it broke. It was the old style that tapers down in a vee shape, almost to a point at the bottom, where there is only about 2 mm surrounding the hole for the clamp bolt.

I got a new stem from the Modolo distributor for free. The new one has at least twice as much material in that lower area on the stem and does not come down to a vee cross section at all. It has a rounded off corner box section. It doesn't look as elegant, and it's heavier, but I am confident that it will be strong enough. Don't ride on any Modolo stem with a vee cross section. They also have a raised lip where the handlebars insert. The new stem is all rounded off there, and is twice as thick.

I still see the old style Modolos on ebay from time to time, and a few of the sellers I tell about the hazard of the stem say it's not an issue (like they would know as well as me) and they don't pull the auction or say that it is for display only in the listing. Half of the sellers actually have listened, like the ebay seller that was quoted, and caution potential buyers. Because the recall was in 1990 or so, there isn't much info about it on the web.


see the pics at this link :https://www.bikexprt.com/witness/product/stems.htm