Seattle Forrest

I'm about to pick up a new bike and want to replace the bars it comes with.

I've been using a 3T Ergonova in carbon for about five years. Works fine for me. I wouldn't mind if the tops were flatter though, seems like that would be more comfortable on long climbs.

Is there anything I really need to try?

TrojanHorse

Zipp makes some in a very similar shape but with an "aero" flat section - Zipp - Speed Weaponry | Bars | Contour SL Bar

I have the aluminum version & like 'em.

Doge

ENVE and Specialized have flat top bars. I like the Ritchey bars and expecting some this week.

StanSeven

Any of the three recommended (Zipp, Enve, and Specialized) are good. If you can visit a LBS and see how they feel in your hands. Many shops have them installed on bikes you can try.

garciawork

The FSA Wing Pro Compact has a pretty flat top, I LOVE those bars. That bend got me into the drops more than the janky specialized ergo bars that came stock on my first bike.

FeltF2Tarmac

3T Aeronova.

Chris Pringle

Does anyone actually using these bars with flat tops (essentially aerobars) have complaints about them being too flexy? Or are they really that more comfortable than anything else you've tried that you put up with them being noodly?

chaadster

I love(d) my Wing Pro, too! Great bend, but had to remove from my bike with Campagnolo Athena because I couldn't get the brifter to clamp tightly enough, and they would slip down. I moved the FSA bar to a Shimano Ultegra bike-- works fine-- and got a 3T Ergonova Pro alum bar for the Campy bike. I also have an Ibis Road Bar, which is quite nice, and which I may prefer a bit over the 3T, but yeah, the Wing Pro is ideal.

chaadster

Well there are flat tops:



and there are flat tops (aero section):



I don't anything about the latter, which are the type I presume you're asking about.

CafeVelo

What way did you have the clamp facing? Campy clamps fit standard bars when the arrow on the band faces down. Otherwise it will slip a little.

+2 on wing pro.

Seattle Forrest

Does the bar shape (normal round tube vs flat tops) play into vibration dampening on a CF bar? Or is the shape for your palms and brifters the main thing?

I looked at the Enve aero road bars, people seem to have trouble with Campy with them but I'll be running SRAM. The drop and reach are pretty similar to the 3T bars I'm used to.

Bill Fold

+3 on FSA Compact. I have the FSA Omega, which has the same dimensions as the Wing Pro but is not flat on top. The FSA Compact design makes very easy and comfortable to get into the drops.

link0

+1 on FSA Wing Pro or FSA Compact or FSA Omega

garciawork

Interesting, I have had two bikes with those bars with Chorus and never had that issue. But that is a good point.

Seattle, my old boss had the carbon version and loves them, but if you have the coin (since you mentioned CF), I would get the Enve bars TBH.

Doge

In the house we have FSA, ENVE, getting WCS Carbon Streem II Road Bar | Ritchey
When riding alone they are particularly useful for forearms on tops TT position.

I posted this a couple times.

CafeVelo

I have record on my bars, no issue as long as the clamps face the right way.

chaadster

Ah ha! I didn't even know there was an arrow! Thanks!

Elvo

milkbaby

I have 3T Ergonova Pro on my favorite bike. On another bike I have an FSA Plasma integrated bar/stem which is very nice, flatter on the tops than the 3T Ergonova. You give up adjustability of changing the stem, but the FSA K-Wing Compact looks like it has a similar shape to the handlebar portion of the Plasma.

You could also consider the 3T Aeronova, though it seems like the reach is further than the Ergonova.

Doge

Just got the Ritchey SoloStream tonight. Beautiful bar/stem. Got the ENVE SES / Extralite combo on one bike, this on the other.

woodcraft

I'm sure that there are newer & groovier things available now,

but I think K-wing compacts are still pretty groovy.

The flat top is mainly about looking fast- how much time do you spend on the tops anyway?

The best part is a flat spot -almost a divot- where the heel of the hand rests- very comfy.

Seattle Forrest

I assume their bars? Any comments on them? Stiff enough when you stand up and sprint? Dampen the vibrations well enough?

Seattle Forrest

Only when I'm going up hill.

But some of the rides I want to do this year are:

* Hurricane Ridge, 5,200 feet ele gain over 17 miles
* Harts Pass, 5,500 feet gain over 15 to 20 miles
* etc

Doge

Yes, as in the picture post 15. This is a bit like comparing the best BMW to the Benz in the same price range.

Both are plenty stiff for a very strong 140lb rider. I don't like the traditional stem/bar combo as much as one piece once size is dialed in. I'm north of 200lbs and I'd use either, although I would use a heavier stem on the ENVE. The Ritchey is very solid - just a beautiful part, not that the ENVE is shabby, just the Ritchey evokes more emotion.
ENVE - wider and fatter. Different small hole bar ends (I assume they could be cut). Drops slope up with flat tops. VERY tight for a Garmin mount between round area for stem attachment and wing flairs. 39cm at hoods and 44cm at drop ends (flare a lot). The cables exit rear near stem, so better cable routing IMO.

Ritchey - thinner. One piece. Conventional bend with small flair - .5 cm. More aero looking than Enve stem combo from front. Holes drilled for accessory. Cables exit under wing.

EDIT Vibration. Too hard to tell as so many factors. Prior bars to ENVE were Ritchey WCS one piece, went ENVE for aero. Now back to Ritchey for AERO and one piece design. The WCS ritchey were used for the Paris-Robaix cobble section (all of it) at a very high speed. There were blisters, but would select them, or this new bar next and NOT the ENVE. The ENVE setup has an Extralite stem, which has a bit more dampening than most.

woodcraft

Maybe we also need flat drops,

for the descents.