Integrated handlebar and stem

[xcbarny]

Just wondering if anyone has experience with these chinese integrated bars.

Weight seems to vary a bit. Some listed at around 200g which seems light, but others closer to 300g, which is probably no lighter than a standard setup. They all seem to look the same though.

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/3k-finishFull-Fiber-Carbon-MTB-Bike-Integrated-Handlebar-680-700-90-100-110-120-130mm-cycling/2043960145.html?spm=2114.01020208.3.10.3YiS0u&ws_ab_test=searchweb201556_2_79_2_78_77_82_80_62,searchweb201644_0,searchweb201560_5

[JohnnyNT]

Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't feel all that safe with carbon-only stem. I went with Uno stem, which are sub 100g, together with a light bar that's not much of a difference in weight but feels safer a lot.

[cmh]

Maybe it's just me, but I wouldn't feel all that safe with carbon-only stem. I went with Uno stem, which are sub 100g, together with a light bar that's not much of a difference in weight but feels safer a lot.

Ask rvc how he feels about carbon-only bars. ^_^

If it's designed and manufactured right, nothing to fear there, it would likely be stronger as there aren't compressive pressure points from a stem clamp, something carbon really doesn't like to do. It's the "if it's designed and manufactured right" part. That, and how many of the major carbon players offer integrated bar/stem combos. Also less of an issue than it would be with road drop bars, but there's no adjusting the angle of the bars, so you'd better like it.

I do like the idea, though.

[Vipassana]

I ride with a guy with one.  Its a good looking piece.  It is too narrow for my tastes and is probably better suited for smaller wheeled bikes.  I would also prefer to be able to rotate the bar to adjust sweep/angle.

[xcbarny]

I agree that if done right, it should make a stronger and lighter bar and stem combo, since they're doing away with one of the clamps.

They used to be limited in the sizes available, but I don't think that is an issue now. One problem is that they don't list the sweep angle. I suspect its in the 5 - 6 degree range, when really, for a 700mm wide bar, 10 degrees would be better.