Are there CX specific handlebars?
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Yes and yes.
Salsa's Cowbell handlebar is supposedly CX-specific because of it's flared drops, but I find the flared drops screw up the angle/placement of the hoods, especially if you mount the levers high. IMHO a better choice is a reasonably wide compact-bend road bar.
Salsa's Cowbell handlebar is supposedly CX-specific because of it's flared drops, but I find the flared drops screw up the angle/placement of the hoods, especially if you mount the levers high. IMHO a better choice is a reasonably wide compact-bend road bar.
#3
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Yes and yes.
Salsa's Cowbell handlebar is supposedly CX-specific because of it's flared drops, but I find the flared drops screw up the angle/placement of the hoods, especially if you mount the levers high. IMHO a better choice is a reasonably wide compact-bend road bar.
Salsa's Cowbell handlebar is supposedly CX-specific because of it's flared drops, but I find the flared drops screw up the angle/placement of the hoods, especially if you mount the levers high. IMHO a better choice is a reasonably wide compact-bend road bar.
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Just don't use carbon fiber bars and you'll be fine.
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Don't go carbon. They're less strong than aluminum and you can use the money saved on something more worthwhile, like tires or brakes.
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#7
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I'm replacing the wheelset and the handlebar is a full pound so that's an easy place to save weight. The crank is 800g and the fork is 775g. Some opportunity for savings there but there aren't many options for cranks on a BB386 bottom bracket and a good full carbon fork isn't cheap.
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The Spot Brand CX Fork is pretty good, and not too expensive (<$400) assuming you're using disc brakes.
Seriously, for as often as we go down on CX bikes, carbon bars are a bad idea. But it's your money.
Seriously, for as often as we go down on CX bikes, carbon bars are a bad idea. But it's your money.
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#9
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The Spot Brand CX Fork is pretty good, and not too expensive (<$400) assuming you're using disc brakes.
Seriously, for as often as we go down on CX bikes, carbon bars are a bad idea. But it's your money.
Seriously, for as often as we go down on CX bikes, carbon bars are a bad idea. But it's your money.
I was looking at the ENVE fork at about $500. Ease of resale would be enough to get me to pony up the extra cash up front. The Spot fork looks nice though.
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I think I can run GXP cranks with an adapter. It was looking like there were only two options for BB386... the FSA Gossamer (what I have--heavy as a pig) or the FSA SL-K at 200g less but over $500.
If I can run GXP cranks I can run a SRAM CX1 crank that is 300g less and only $200
If I can run GXP cranks I can run a SRAM CX1 crank that is 300g less and only $200
#11
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Yes and yes.
Salsa's Cowbell handlebar is supposedly CX-specific because of it's flared drops, but I find the flared drops screw up the angle/placement of the hoods, especially if you mount the levers high. IMHO a better choice is a reasonably wide compact-bend road bar.
Salsa's Cowbell handlebar is supposedly CX-specific because of it's flared drops, but I find the flared drops screw up the angle/placement of the hoods, especially if you mount the levers high. IMHO a better choice is a reasonably wide compact-bend road bar.
Hot set up, no issues whatsoever.
[IMG]Untitled by gomango1849, on Flickr[/IMG]
#12
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If you want carbon bars how about the Thomson KFC which is Katie Compton's signature model? Personally I lean toward the Salsa Cowbell for the flared drops.
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I think I decided I don't want to spend 2-3x as much for maybe 20g of savings.
I'm looking at the Bontrager Race Lite VR, which is in the road bike section. $90 for 230g seems reasonable. Is this going to be too light duty or will this work?
I'm looking at the Bontrager Race Lite VR, which is in the road bike section. $90 for 230g seems reasonable. Is this going to be too light duty or will this work?
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