DOS

I am in the market for new alloy bars for my CAAD10 reduce drop and reach. I am currently running Ritchey logic with big traditional drop and reach and am not comfortable in the drops. I have more compact bars on another bike that are a more comfortable 130mm drop and about 75mm reach so am looking at options in that range. Welcome comments and experiences with the Contenders:

1. Deda Zero100: 130/75; 263gr, No sweep, no flare. Same measurements as my compact bars but I am thinking I might like some back sweep to be more upright when on the tops. Would have to get 46cm rather than usual44 because Deda measures outside to outside.

2.Zipp Service Course: 128/70 or 80; 265gr. 3degree backsweep,4 degree flare. 70 mm maybe too short, 80 maybe too long.

3.Ritchey WCS Streem III: 128/73; 280gr. 4.7 degree backsweep, 2 degree flare. This is the leading contender, mainly because I have always used Ritchey stems and bars and have liked their products. Maybe a bit more sweep than I want.

4. Ritchey WCS Evocurve 128/83;265;4degree sweep, 2 degree flare. A bit more reach than I want.

Sy Reene

Add 3T SuperErgo to consideration list.

For an aero take on things, you could look at some of these off-brand options, like:

https://www.bike24.com/p2304288.html

melikebikey35

I've used the Zipp 70's in the past, and didn't care for them, that much...the flat top was the only thing that it had going for it. I think that the reach is too short, which doesn't allow a smooth transition from bar to hood. The drop was too big and the curve too traditional for my liking. The XPLR version does look interesting (for my gravel bike), though.

As mentioned above, I'd add the 3T Superergo to the list. I'm a big fan...especially the carbon version, as it has a shorter drop and flatter corners (along with internal routing). I have the carbon on my road bike and the alloy on my gravel bike.
The alloy has a 77mm reach, 123mm drop. Carbon has a 119mm drop.

DOS

Thans for mentioning 3T. I actually had them on the list but took them off because I thought maybe the 123 drop was would be too short. I’ll reconsider

DOS

The curve of the 70 is why I am undecided between 70and 80. I think the curve of the 80 is better but the reach may be more than I want.

melikebikey35

The curve of the 80 does look nicer...but yah, ultimately, it comes down to what reach works for you. The Superergo's do fall right in the middle, reach wise.

DOS

yea, The Superergo, the Deda, and the Ritchey StreemIII are in that mid 70s range so it will probably come down to one of those.

topflightpro

I have, or had, the Zero 100 and Evocurve. I also have a Zipp bar, but I forget which one. I prefer the Zero 100s. They have a slightly flatter top compared to the Evocurve and Zipp.

base2 

To a large extent, you can fix reach with a stem of a different length.

A short stem that lessens the distance to the tops so you can sit more upright for climbs or gravelling, mated to longer reach bars that move the hoods away for a more aero cruise position might not be a bad thing depending on what your goals are.

canklecat

FSA Omega and Gossamer compact drops are very good values. Specs indicate they have the same reach, drop and basic configuration. The Gossamer is treated for better fatigue resistance and may have a slightly fatter top section near the stem.

I heard these recommended several years ago by some YouTube channel, but didn't try 'em until last year when an old neck injury made my early 1990s Trek 5900 uncomfortable after I switched from downtube shifters to brifters on the conventional drop bars (old school Nitto B65LL, wonderful traditional drops with conventional brake hoods, but not with the combination of a 120mm stem and l-o-n-g brifter hoods).

I've had the Omega compact drops on my early 1990s Trek 5900 since last August and love 'em. Also got an FSA 90mm stem to shorten the reach, but now I could handle a little more length. I can stay in the drops for several minutes, no problem. I set my fastest time on a 5-mile gradual roller climb into a headwind a few weeks ago staying in the drops almost the entire distance. For 62 y/o me with a bum neck, that ain't bad.

And I just ordered an FSA Gossamer stem for a Diamondback Podium frame I'm building into a rideable bike. The Gossamer is two-tone with more of a cutout on the face plate, otherwise similar to the Omega stem. Haven't decided on a handlebar yet, but I'm leaning toward the FSA Gossamer since I'm not confident in the quality control of the low priced carbon fiber aero drops I've seen for under $100. I know I'll like the Gossamer since I'm already satisfied with the Omega.

Incidentally, the Soma Highway One bar has the same configuration -- reach and drop -- but for quill stem or 1" threadless. A couple of friends have the Soma on their steel bikes. I may try one for my Ironman, although I'm pretty happy with the original conventional Win Pista bar.


My 1993 Trek 5900 with FSA Omega compact drops (and stem), after final adjustment but before wrapping the bar. That was in August 2019, and I didn't need to adjust another thing. It was immediately comfy. But now my flexibility has improved so I'll switch from the 90mm to a 100mm stem soon. The King headset for that bike needs service after nearly 30 years, so that bike is parked for the moment.

DOS

I looked at FSA Energy Compact but not the ones you suggested. I didn’t list it as one of my finalists because its 80mm reach is just a bit more than I want.

noodle soup

I have the Zipp SL70 bars, and the drawing you posted doesn't accurately represent the actual curve. I'll take a photo of them tomorrow.

DOS

I have decided to go with the Ritchey WCS Streem III. I am sort of curious to try the wing shape of the streem and, secondarily, it keeps my stem/bar combo all in the Ritchey family. It was a close call between it and the zero100, but a couple of reviews I came across noting that the zero100 was somewhat flexy in the drops gave me pause (I am a clyde). Also, the fact that their measurements are done outside to outside made me a little unsure about sizing, and 3rd minor (very minor) consideration is that the zero100 uses 7075 alu, while Ritchey is 7050. 7050 resists corrosion better and I sweat a lot.

The Ritchey is slightly heavier (I think that is a reflection of the wing shape using a bit more material), and I am hoping the backsweep will be a plus but that is a bit of a risk since my current bars are straight (as are the zero100s). I did take a hard look at the 3T superergo as well but decided going all the way down to a 123mm drop was shallower than I wanted.