Intelgreated Bar/Stem - Anyone use them?
12-07-18, 10:10 AM
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Intelgreated Bar/Stem - Anyone use them?
So I'm looking to "up-date" one of my road bikes and still considering all carbon cock pit. I see more and more integrated bar/stem and would like to know if anyone has that set up. I know it eliminates bar angle adjustments so that may be a deal breaker for me. Although most of my bars are level at the drops, I have had some tilting a bit down. How is it working for you and what brand would you recommend? Side note: They also seem to weigh more than the two pieces separate.
Cheers
Cheers
12-08-18, 11:55 AM
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Hummm...thought someone might have this on one of their bikes.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/...ke-guide-2019/
It seems the pros are going that direction.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/...ke-guide-2019/
It seems the pros are going that direction.
12-08-18, 12:44 PM
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I have the Pro Stealth model painted to match my frame (from the builder). I opted mostly because I didn’t want the “what if’s” after going full custom and only getting a painted stem. I love the stiffness and have always set my bars the same as this with my hoods being up a bit. Since I was going custom and bike was being built with bar/stem combo in mind the lack of adjustability was not an issue. Truthfully, even if just doing a regular build I always use 100mm stems so it would not have been of consequence. All that being said, and even though I’m incredibly happy with what I have from an appearance standpoint, if I wasn’t dealing with painting to match frames that I think I would go two piece just to have the options of interchangeability.
12-08-18, 03:19 PM
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I had one on my Madone. If the stem lengths and bar angles work for you, one piece cockpits can be great, if the length or angle don’t work for you, it is a very expensive compromise.
12-08-18, 03:36 PM
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The 2019 Madone dropped the integrated bar cockpit for the traditional two piece. I know they look cool but you can have the look and practicality with two piece aero combos from Enve, Zipp, Shimano Pro, and a few others without sacrafising anything.
12-09-18, 07:24 AM
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I personally would never own a one piece stem and handlebar combo as I change my set up too much and personally have to be able to adjust bar angle for both hood position and drop position. I know some are a bit less fussy about ergo's than me...probably most.
12-11-18, 01:49 PM
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I'm not that fussy and I *still* wouldn't want an integrated bar/stem.
For that matter, I'm not really sure what a carbon stem really improves so I'm still clamping my carbon bars with AL stems...
For that matter, I'm not really sure what a carbon stem really improves so I'm still clamping my carbon bars with AL stems...
12-11-18, 08:46 PM
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Carbon bars and stems reduce vibration that you get through the bars compared to aluminum. It is very noticeable. The downside is the cost and the fragile nature of the material.
12-13-18, 03:27 PM
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IME, carbon bars (particularly aero) do a great job of damping vibration on their own; I'd say if a stem is soft enough to contribute in that way, it'll be a power-sapping noodle, judging from my experience with light ally stems.
12-13-18, 04:27 PM
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I wouldn't want one.
12-13-18, 07:28 PM
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I have two of them a Sycnros (Scott) rr1 and a Canyon HoverBar. The fit was dead on - lucky. They're comfortable - subjective. I'm certain I like them - all that matters.
12-21-18, 09:48 PM
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Big money handle bars i was eyeing up Chinese stuff $100.00 range but fearful of dying
12-21-18, 11:28 PM
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Who knew having less points of adjustability came at a premium? 
While they look good on a bike being streamlined and making the cockpit look less busy, but I have never been a fan of the lack of adjustability.
But then again, it seems the target customer of integrated stem handlebars are those that have their fork steerers cut to the shortest it can be for a "slammed" stem.
While they look good on a bike being streamlined and making the cockpit look less busy, but I have never been a fan of the lack of adjustability.
But then again, it seems the target customer of integrated stem handlebars are those that have their fork steerers cut to the shortest it can be for a "slammed" stem.
12-24-18, 12:47 AM
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@Zaskar is not one of those people as I spy 1 spacer. And therefore my statement does not apply to him. 
12-24-18, 01:23 AM
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@Zaskar is not one of those people as I spy 1 spacer. And therefore my statement does not apply to him.
12-24-18, 01:30 AM
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+1. Stems need to be strong in every direction, so you're just paying for 'black aluminium' with no weight benefit.
IME, carbon bars (particularly aero) do a great job of damping vibration on their own; I'd say if a stem is soft enough to contribute in that way, it'll be a power-sapping noodle, judging from my experience with light ally stems.
IME, carbon bars (particularly aero) do a great job of damping vibration on their own; I'd say if a stem is soft enough to contribute in that way, it'll be a power-sapping noodle, judging from my experience with light ally stems.
12-24-18, 12:12 PM
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That's just a comparison pic if he wasn't running spacers and "slammed" his stem to the lowest the frame would allow.
12-25-18, 07:10 PM
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Who knew having less points of adjustability came at a premium?
While they look good on a bike being streamlined and making the cockpit look less busy, but I have never been a fan of the lack of adjustability.
But then again, it seems the target customer of integrated stem handlebars are those that have their fork steerers cut to the shortest it can be for a "slammed" stem.
While they look good on a bike being streamlined and making the cockpit look less busy, but I have never been a fan of the lack of adjustability.
But then again, it seems the target customer of integrated stem handlebars are those that have their fork steerers cut to the shortest it can be for a "slammed" stem.
12-30-18, 05:31 PM
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12-30-18, 07:09 PM
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I'd love to have one of the Giant ones for my TCR. Would add to the whole "integrated" feel of my bike given that it's already ISP. For the record, I think that integrated components are mostly a dumb idea with more cons than pros, but it is nice when everything fits perfect and is just dialed.
With a 110 mm stem length my TCR Advanced ISP fits me better than any other bike I've owned and handles amazingly:
With a 110 mm stem length my TCR Advanced ISP fits me better than any other bike I've owned and handles amazingly:
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12-31-18, 01:51 AM
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Even so, things can change. 
External and internal factors. Always good to have some sort of flexibility in terms of fitment.
For example you get in a car accident and your back or neck is injured and you require a less aggressive position.
External and internal factors. Always good to have some sort of flexibility in terms of fitment.
For example you get in a car accident and your back or neck is injured and you require a less aggressive position.
12-31-18, 03:38 AM
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More economical and less searching to do to buy just a stem though while being able to retain the handle bar though!
Any bike shop will have stems on hand. Integrated bar/ stems, not so much.
