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Separate set - narrow handlebars and low stem - for internal routing

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obuwiecieplezimowe:
Hi,

first post here but not my first Chinese bike :)

I've order TFSA JH-02 recently - so a rim brake frame with internal routing. In my present bike (Elves Vanyar or Airwolf or whatever name it) I use a Toseek 360x70 cockpit combo. So 360mm wide both tops and drops, 70mm stem, 75mm handlebar reach, -8* stem angle. Low 6mm headset cover - routed externally. Not perfect, but not bad either.

So I can use it again (easy option, only different headset cover) or build something a bit different. To the point:

I found on Aliexpress a Bikedoc HB24 handlebar. It is in narrowest option 340mm in drops and 280mm tops - with a flare. Reach is fine 79mm. A bit pricey for a Chinese product but I found nothing similar so it's fair enough.
But that way I would also need a stem (and out-front computer mount to the stem) and there I see a problem - I only found a few stems that allows internal routing through the stem. They are either expensive as hell, with little legative angle (bad thing - higher bars) or with a necessary super-special-spacer that adds stack. Or all that combined.

So - are there any decent stems for internal routing? Ideally 70-80mm, -17* (or -12, but definitely not -6 or 0), lowest stack possible. I am short, always using smallest size frame (and most is too large anyway so there is a very limited selection) so I don't want to rise my handlebars. My bike  has to be fast and in my case lower is faster :)

Serge_K:
velobuild has stems that allow internal routing, check their website for sizes. Bear in mind they are quite chunky, i've installed 4, they're not the most elegant. but they work, and they ought to be cheap.
Unsure about angle.

Sakizashi:

--- Quote from: obuwiecieplezimowe on August 04, 2024, 05:33:44 AM ---Hi,

first post here but not my first Chinese bike :)

I've order TFSA JH-02 recently - so a rim brake frame with internal routing. In my present bike (Elves Vanyar or Airwolf or whatever name it) I use a Toseek 360x70 cockpit combo. So 360mm wide both tops and drops, 70mm stem, 75mm handlebar reach, -8* stem angle. Low 6mm headset cover - routed externally. Not perfect, but not bad either.

So I can use it again (easy option, only different headset cover) or build something a bit different. To the point:

I found on Aliexpress a Bikedoc HB24 handlebar. It is in narrowest option 340mm in drops and 280mm tops - with a flare. Reach is fine 79mm. A bit pricey for a Chinese product but I found nothing similar so it's fair enough.
But that way I would also need a stem (and out-front computer mount to the stem) and there I see a problem - I only found a few stems that allows internal routing through the stem. They are either expensive as hell, with little legative angle (bad thing - higher bars) or with a necessary super-special-spacer that adds stack. Or all that combined.

So - are there any decent stems for internal routing? Ideally 70-80mm, -17* (or -12, but definitely not -6 or 0), lowest stack possible. I am short, always using smallest size frame (and most is too large anyway so there is a very limited selection) so I don't want to rise my handlebars. My bike  has to be fast and in my case lower is faster :)

--- End quote ---

A couple of thoughts. I have the bikedoc bars on my bike and had courtside seat to the development process. The smallest 2 sizes of the bar are a response to an RFP i put out and then binned because I didnt think I could sell enough units to make a payback on the cost of the mold in a reasonable time. Joke's on me. They have sold a ton of these bars and they have exceeded my expectations in every way.

While I cant speak to the QC of every bar, I do know the design itself was tested for safety and is also very stiff.  The bar needs to be stiff because the narrow position also requires a long stem and your arms end up extended really far in front of you. It also has a pretty robust tops section as a result. It might not be for you in the wider sizes and its very much a modified track bar in this respect. Aero was probably left on the table in favor of stiffness. It makes sense when you build up the smallest size.

The routing is clean and pretty well done. IMO the attention to detail is on the level of an Enve or FSA K Force level of product. Its really well done.

If you are planning to do this route, you should really think carefully about fit. With these bars. vs. my 40cm drops /35cm tops enve bar, my stem is now 30mm longer and you might not want to go as low as you think. These are on a custom bike with a <510mm reach including the headset cover and a 393mm reach. I run a -6 130mm stem. I am 169cm. Its a drastically different position than I have ever had on a bike before.

That said, it looks like TFSA sells some bikes with what looks like either a copy of the Tarmac or Venge stem. If this is the case, I would buy that stem from them if they make the angle you want or see if you can buy the plastic spacers from them and fit the Specialized -12 stems. The Tarmac -12 stem is one of the lowest stems you can get because of its low stack and drop. Its as low or lower than many -17 degree stems depending on length.

obuwiecieplezimowe:
Thanks,

of course I have aero in mind but I also like to play with different toys. I tried to copy that kind of narrow position using my own bars and my prediction is it should be not only more aero but also sustainable for much longer. What may be tricky is something like 500W for 1 minute steep hill standing using these bars. Sounds like an adventure!

I have found several other stems on Ali, I have to check how that Specialized one looks like... after work :) But it looks like there are good fitting options - I only have to spend more than normally on Chinese stuff and that's it :D

EDIT: I see it's too much trouble with bike fit and not much to gain in terms of aesthetics. I knew that there is limited selection of components for internal routing but I didn't realize it's THAT limited :)

So, I think it's just better to use just normal stem whatever I like, even a crazy low stack -20* MTB one if I want, put cables between handlebars and the frame below the stem (also neat) and just use a proper headset cover with a hole in it for the cables. As simple as that. I hope :)

obuwiecieplezimowe:
Finally I bought a different handlebars accidentally found on Ali. Also narrow, but with less flare and cheaper. First 3h ride on it so far. Feels ok, "relaxed" position looks definitely less relaxed but is as comfy as on wider bars. As I suspected standing sprints on hoods feels odd, but it is odd anyway :)

New frame hasn't been sent yet so tested in my own one.

One problem with this setup - cabling it is a total nightmare. But my case is really a worst case scenario - small frame, low stack, old 11s Shimano di2 setup, junction box in a bar end. This one except of very tight openings with little "steps" making routing more difficult doesn't have little holes inside drops for example. So cable must be routed to the top and then a sharp turn to shifter has to be made. Or you can simply drill that hole because why not :)

The handlebars is something bought in "EC90 bicycle store" on Ali, now 92 EUR, looks like this - I don't know if it is allowed to post links here but it will be easy to find if needed :) So dimensions, comparsion with "wide" 36cm one and on the bike. Weight of mine is 233g.

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