Ordered some of these I was looking for a light, carbon, compact bar with not too much flare. I haven't received them yet. They should be here Friday. I read some reviews that were pretty good, and decided I'd give them a try. Anyone else using them?
I use them, they are the best bars I have ever used. All the hand positions are very comfortable and the drops have amazing compliance. They replaced a set of Easton carbon bars and they are much more compliant. Just be aware that they are slightly narrower at the hoods, my 46cm is closer to 45cm at the hoods.
I love mine on my race bike. Shape is great, aero tops are nice, internal routing cleans it up nicely.
Cons are its kinda hard to wrap the bars. You need flexible tape, firmer stuff doesn't like the sharpish bends. Also the clamp space is pretty small, but if you're only running a computer mount you're ok. Get one with an accessory mount underneath if you don't have one, there's no space to clamp a light mount to the bars.
Volsung wrote:I love mine on my race bike. Shape is great, aero tops are nice, internal routing cleans it up nicely.
Cons are its kinda hard to wrap the bars. You need flexible tape, firmer stuff doesn't like the sharpish bends. Also the clamp space is pretty small, but if you're only running a computer mount you're ok. Get one with an accessory mount underneath if you don't have one, there's no space to clamp a light mount to the bars.
I use light and motion lights, the rubber strap allows you to mount the lights to the flat section of the bars.
I got the new bars yesterday. Installed today. Really unique shape. The flattened top is just the start, The dip before the hoods should allow for forearms to rest more comfortably when in TT mode, and the drops have the upper outside radius truncated for a more comfortable hand rest. A lot of thought went into the design. Having not ridden them yet, I hope that translates into real world comfort on the road. I'll report back after some good rides. 😉 Oh yeah... and because of the intricate shape, having bar tape that will stretch some is good! (as Volsung already mentioned).
mike wrote:I got the new bars yesterday. Oh yeah... and because of the intricate shape, having bar tape that will stretch some is good! (as Volsung already mentioned).
After 2 years with these bars I finally gave up on Lizard Skins 3mm bar tape. It was my favorite tape but just didn’t wrap well on these bars, I was constantly rewrapping as it came loose. Tape you can stretch is key.
First ride today. 20 miles, tarmac. Observations... They are really wide at the drops. The shape makes them sensitive to angle. The forward slope of the tops is going to take some getting used to and causes a little extra reach to the hoods. They definitely ride larger than the 42mm spec. I had already considered going to 44s for my gravel bike, so not a deal breaker. All in all, not bad, but not my "dream bars". ... at least yet. I'm headed south for all next week and will be able to give them a good workout on some real gravel.
After 2 years with these bars I finally gave up on Lizard Skins 3mm bar tape. It was my favorite tape but just didn’t wrap well on these bars, I was constantly rewrapping as it came loose. Tape you can stretch is key.
You can kind of get it to work, but I can always seem to see under parts of it. Lizard skins still worked better than the Supacaz I tried.
I used this Marque Tape. I have it on two of my bikes now (and had it on my gravel bike on the bars I replaced). I just love it, sticky comfortable, durable. I did have to pull it tight to get it to conform to the bends of the AGX bars, but it stretched around the bends and contours just fine. I've done a few more miles now and the bar tape is sticking and conforming nicely. I've also got some good gravel rides in, and I'm growing fond of the bars. I wish there were a few degrees (or 2-3mm) less forward sweep, but that's nit picking. I'm liking them a lot, and I'm still adjusting. I like the flat tops, short reach, mild flare, and notches for the heel of you hands when on the hoods.
I've done a few of my favorite gravel rides lately with the new bars, (and also did a few not so great gravel routes recently), and the more I ride the AGX bars, the more I like them. It is definitely an adjustment, but the intricate shape of the bars really does lend itself to some more comfortable positions. I'm think I've become a fan.
