SPANK Flare 25 Vibrocore™ Drop Bar: At The Finish – by Guitar Ted
The SPANK Flare 25 handle bar has presented me with one of the most difficult reviewing jobs I have had here, or in my previous gig as a 29″ MTB parts/bike reviewer. That said, I am ready to give this bar my final verdict. Before we get to that, please make sure you hit up this review’s previous installment here.
So, what was so difficult about this review? Well, it has to do with the claim SPANK makes about the changing of vibrations from “harmful to not harmful”. The Vibrocore™ component of this handle bar is where things get sort of…..murky? Yes. Things are vague in regard to that claim. Here’s what I wrote in the last update for reference:
“The vibration thing: Maybe. There probably is something going on there, and it may be very beneficial to some riders. That said, there are just too many variables for us to say unequivocally that the Vibrocore™ thing is a blessing or just fluff. “
After a lot more riding I still feel this way about the Vibrocore™ claims. (See SPANK’s information page on this technology here: https://spank-ind.com/blogs/news/vibrocore%E2%84%A2-the-inside-story ) Certainly, I can say with no reservations that this feature does something. I can feel a difference, and, perhaps, that is all that is necessary to say there on that here.
At The Finish: Besides that, I really liked this handle bar. It was easy to set the levers up where I could operate them from both the hoods and the drops. The hoods position could be set up in my favored “level from the ramp” style. The 25° flare is great for clearing the wrists and forearms while in the drops. But my favorite feature has to be the straight 31.8mm tops section. Why don’t all drop bars have this feature? I can see no reason why it wouldn’t have more benefits than drawbacks. Anyway……
Vibrocore™- If you are searching out every bit of help you can get with vibrations and comfort, then, yes. These bars will do something for you. My feeling is that this benefit is hard to quantify. There is one other thing this handle bar has that is not hard to figure out. That is its rating for MTB use. It has the certification from testing to that standard, so if you also want a drop bar for rough and tumble single track use, look no further.
The SPANK Flare 25 has a great drop shape, a great amount of flare for more rowdy riding in the drops, and a possibility that it could help you with comfort in terms of vibrations. I can recommend it on its basic features alone. If the vibration claims SPANK makes work for you, then that is icing on the cake.
Note- SPANK sent over the Flare 25 Vibrocore™ Drop Bar to Riding Gravel for test and review at no charge. We are not being bribed nor paid for this review and we will always strive to give our honest thoughts and opinions throughout.