Coefficient Wave Handlebar--Anyone Tried / Use?
05-23-19, 12:09 AM
#51
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,220
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 121 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4352 Post(s)
Liked 3,415 Times
in
2,212 Posts
They may work. I won't laugh at them but I just did 130 miles of 60% gravel and 10,000' of climbing on traditional deep semi-pista bars with brake hoods in the old low position. (Japanese made. I don't know the brand. Popular with hipsters a few years ago.) I've been struggling with chronic hand/wrist issues from old injuries and using tools. etc. that push my strength. Came home from the weekend and woke up Monday morning with my hands feeling great!
Those tops may be an improvement for my hands for seated climbing like I do a lot of when gravel riding. But I won't give up the drops of a shape from 50 years ago. Comfort and control last weekend on the hairy (and sometimes very rough) descents was excellent.
Ben
Those tops may be an improvement for my hands for seated climbing like I do a lot of when gravel riding. But I won't give up the drops of a shape from 50 years ago. Comfort and control last weekend on the hairy (and sometimes very rough) descents was excellent.
Ben
05-23-19, 12:19 AM
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18881 Post(s)
Liked 10,643 Times
in
6,053 Posts
They're the comfiest bars I've ever used, most of which is down to the shape, which is completely awesome. Where they really shine is when you go the phantom aero bar - the tops are heaps comfy under your forearms, and the corner humps make the position actually feel fairly safe for once. The flex also soaks up vibration and big hits nicely when on the hoods or drops.
As for safety, of course $40 carbon bars are a gamble, but you don't have to bet your teeth, just the purchase price. Simply try to break them before fitting to the bike. You'll hear a few fibres break, testament to the fact the factory doesn't test them, but the three pairs I bought all passed the destruction test. Thus I have full confidence in them; with DIY QC, you might break the occasional bar, but having to order another one is NBD; they're still cheap at twice the price, assuming you couldn't get a refund.
At the very least, it's not a bad way of trying out the shape, if you'd be prepared to spend a few hundred on the real deal if it grabs you.
As for safety, of course $40 carbon bars are a gamble, but you don't have to bet your teeth, just the purchase price. Simply try to break them before fitting to the bike. You'll hear a few fibres break, testament to the fact the factory doesn't test them, but the three pairs I bought all passed the destruction test. Thus I have full confidence in them; with DIY QC, you might break the occasional bar, but having to order another one is NBD; they're still cheap at twice the price, assuming you couldn't get a refund.
At the very least, it's not a bad way of trying out the shape, if you'd be prepared to spend a few hundred on the real deal if it grabs you.
05-23-19, 12:21 AM
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18881 Post(s)
Liked 10,643 Times
in
6,053 Posts
Yeah, but, the point of those bars isn't to ride gravel. They're built for speed more than anything. That's the intent of the design. For gravel riding, aero styles are thrown out the window. You don't need anything that can cut down on wind drag at that point. You need super comfort and control...even in the tops. Just not sure how an aero bar like that plays into gravel riding and such.
Strange how even on 3T's own website they point people to the SuperGhiaia bar for gravel riders, which is a completely different design. I actually looked at the Superergo bar initially. Only real distinguishing features is the flat tops and corner grips. No backsweep or really anything to aid in a more neutral hand position.
I personally have issues with tendonitis in my wrists so having something that can give me just the right angle for my wrists to be in when in the tops is a plus.
Strange how even on 3T's own website they point people to the SuperGhiaia bar for gravel riders, which is a completely different design. I actually looked at the Superergo bar initially. Only real distinguishing features is the flat tops and corner grips. No backsweep or really anything to aid in a more neutral hand position.
I personally have issues with tendonitis in my wrists so having something that can give me just the right angle for my wrists to be in when in the tops is a plus.
05-23-19, 10:50 AM
#54
Member
True, true. Whatever works, right? Seems we get too much of the attitude in the cycling community that deems certain bikes and gear have to be used for certain types of riding. Gravel is a pretty new trend and, honestly, I don't think there's one thing that truly defines it. If aero bars work for you even for gravel riding then ride with them. I'm not a pro. I ride for the sake of riding. As such, doesn't really matter what kind of bike or gear you use, just get out and ride! 
05-23-19, 11:10 AM
#55
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 8,915
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4698 Post(s)
Liked 1,877 Times
in
995 Posts
Whatever works, right? Seems we get too much of the attitude in the cycling community that deems certain bikes and gear have to be used for certain types of riding. Gravel is a pretty new trend and, honestly, I don't think there's one thing that truly defines it. If aero bars work for you even for gravel riding then ride with them. I'm not a pro. I ride for the sake of riding. As such, doesn't really matter what kind of bike or gear you use, just get out and ride!
https://bikepacking.com/bikes/tour-divide-rigs-2018/
05-23-19, 04:35 PM
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 23,208
Mentioned: 89 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 18881 Post(s)
Liked 10,643 Times
in
6,053 Posts
True, true. Whatever works, right? Seems we get too much of the attitude in the cycling community that deems certain bikes and gear have to be used for certain types of riding. Gravel is a pretty new trend and, honestly, I don't think there's one thing that truly defines it. If aero bars work for you even for gravel riding then ride with them. I'm not a pro. I ride for the sake of riding. As such, doesn't really matter what kind of bike or gear you use, just get out and ride!
Likes For Seattle Forrest:
05-23-19, 06:32 PM
#57
bike whisperer
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Melbourne, Oz
Posts: 9,517
Bikes: https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=152015&p=1404231
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1513 Post(s)
Liked 707 Times
in
501 Posts
Where you're right to be nervous though is the point where the bars emerge from the stem, and probably where the levers clamp on, which can't be assessed until the bars are fitted, obviously... so just give them another torture test as soon as you mount them and fit the levers.
Its perfectly possible to apply equivalent force in a continuum from negligible all the way up to catastrophic. And unlike with ally, doing so won't induce fatigue; if they survive the sort of loads I'm advocating as DIY QC, they'll have proved themselves fit for service.
As I already mentioned, I'm three for three - IME it's pretty hard to go wrong here. If you're still skeptical, maybe I'll shoot a vid showing the sort of tests I'm talking about.
__________________
Sheldon Brown's bike info ~~~ Park Tools repair help
Half-step triple, using double gear ~~~ 6400 STI rebuild walkthrough ~~~ Want 8/9/10s @126mm OLD? OCR. ~~~ Shimano cassette body overhaul ~~~ Ergopower Escape wear repair ~~~ PSA: drivetrain wear
List of US/Canada bike co-ops ~~~ Global list
Sheldon Brown's bike info ~~~ Park Tools repair help
Half-step triple, using double gear ~~~ 6400 STI rebuild walkthrough ~~~ Want 8/9/10s @126mm OLD? OCR. ~~~ Shimano cassette body overhaul ~~~ Ergopower Escape wear repair ~~~ PSA: drivetrain wear
List of US/Canada bike co-ops ~~~ Global list
05-23-19, 08:38 PM
#58
Member
05-27-19, 10:41 AM
#60
Non omnino gravis
Me, upon seeing that 3T bar for the first time:
__________________
05-27-19, 10:49 AM
#61
Member
Yeah, those 3T bars aren’t even listed on 3T’s website. What the hell are those? Fugly as sin! 
05-27-19, 10:51 AM
#62
Member
05-27-19, 10:54 AM
#63
Member
05-27-19, 10:56 AM
#64
Member
Just installed the Wave handlebar on my bike. So far, pretty positive experience. They do take some getting used to though. The tops definitely feel different, especially after riding a traditional straight bar for so long. They also require some time to adjust. Had to tweak the angle of the tops twice after installing. But, once it's dialed it, it's all good. I'm still reviewing and, once I'm finished, I'll post a full review on my blog. 
I'd post pics of my bike but, unfortunately, I can't till I have at least 10 posts.
I'd post pics of my bike but, unfortunately, I can't till I have at least 10 posts.
05-27-19, 10:57 AM
#65
Member
05-27-19, 10:58 AM
#66
Member
05-27-19, 11:07 AM
#67
Member
Bottom bar appears to be just for stability. The positioning seems odd too. Seems like it would get in the way of your thumbs when in the drops. I see what they’re going for but, still, I think it might be a bit too limiting. I tend to vary my position in the drops based on what I’m doing. If I need control via the levers then I position my hands higher up. If I’m just coasting and don’t anticipate any need to stop then I position my hands lower for a more neutral wrist position. Not sure if this bar would allow for that.
05-27-19, 12:21 PM
#68
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Huh, had forgotten I started this thread...AND, still on my original bars. Will look forward to comment from those with experience with the Coeffients...when available. Cheers!
05-27-19, 02:05 PM
#70
Member
05-27-19, 02:07 PM
#71
Member
05-28-19, 10:58 AM
#73
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Music City, USA
Posts: 4,444
Bikes: bikes
Mentioned: 52 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2622 Post(s)
Liked 1,429 Times
in
711 Posts
I took them off pretty quickly and got the real version, and while the real ones are still quite a bit more flexy than say a Zipp Aero SL 70, I've never worried about snapping it in half.
06-17-19, 08:56 PM
#75
Member
Just posted up a link to my full review of the Wave handlebar on my blog. Read and weep!
https://www.bikeforums.net/blogger-s...l#post20983874
https://www.bikeforums.net/blogger-s...l#post20983874
