Tech

PRO Launch New Aerodynamic Handlebar and Stem

· By Bike Hub Features · 10 comments

Launching today (Tuesday 27th July) PRO’s new Vibe Evo handlebars take style, aerodynamic optimisation and ergonomic comfort to a new level with an integral stem, hose and cable integration, top section grips which seamlessly transition into the hoods, all wrapped up in a neat carbon package.

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As the control centre of the bike, the handlebar is the area where riders devote the majority of their focus, and, as part of the frontal area, they are a source of aerodynamic consideration too. So when you’re choosing how to upgrade your bike, race-comfort and aerodynamically advanced handlebars are more than worthy of your consideration.

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Building on those considerations, PRO’s new Vibe Evo bars are packed with features to enthuse even the most detail-orientated, gear head.

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The starting point was to design the handlebars around the concept of providing the best sports bike experience. Their futuristic look – with the stem sweeping into wide top section, curving into hoods and down to the compact drops – hints at their superb functionality.

They boast a lightweight but strong 390g T700 carbon construction with five comfortable hand grip options (on the tops, in the pursuit position, corner grip, on the hoods and on the drops).

Entry and exit ports to the bars allow shifter cables and hoses to run cleanly and silently through the inside of the handlebars and out through the stem. This means the front end of the bike can be clean and cable-free.

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The drops can either be wrapped with handlebar tape or they can take PRO’s specially designed Ergonomic Drop-Grip (PRGP0087) which ensure great control in all weather conditions. Constructed from a high-grade rubber their textured finish ensures both comfort and relentless grip even in pouring rain. The replaceable grips on the tops of the Vibe Evo handlebars negate the need for wrapping the tops, meaning that a single role of tape is ample for wrapping both drops.

Completing the seamless integration is the attachment point for a forward bicycle computer mount. Two rivnuts sit on the underside of the bar/stem area, providing a fixing point for bike computer mounts (or other mountable bags and accessories) to integrate into the handlebar’s aerodynamic design.

PRO Product Development Team Manager Mark Kikkert said:

“We looked at the cockpit as a complete system, not just a handlebar and stem. We took into consideration the placement of brake/shift levers and how the shape of the handlebar could provide a more seamless transition for more comfort.

There’s ergonomic features for comfortable riding all day long, aerodynamic features with the top shape, and a provision for holding an aerodynamic/pursuit position on the bike. Plus being a one-piece design, the handlebar is plenty stiff enough for all-out sprint efforts. This means the handlebar can suit a lot of different riders.

Finally the integration of the top grip is a unique way to offer comfort and control, while simultaneously keeping the aerodynamic profile and cutting down on the total system weight compared to using regular handlebar tape.

With the new Vibe Evo we are entering a new era for integrated cockpits that PRO has been offering for over 15 years.”

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The bars include allow +/- 2 degrees of stem angle adjustment with a 1 1/8 shim. Fitting of 1 1/4 steerer tubes is possible with the removal of the shim. The bars come in widths of 38, 40 and 42cm with stem lengths of 105, 115 and 125mm.  

PRO Vibe Evo handlebars will be available from retailers from July 2021 onwards. PRO Ergonomic Drop Grips available from November 2021 onwards.

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Comments

DieselnDust

Jul 27, 2021, 2:16 PM

nice very nice. Does it come in a bar only option or only only integrated option?

Ricardo Da Silva

Jul 27, 2021, 2:35 PM

This is awesome!!!

Which retailers in South Africa will keep this in stock and +- how much would they start at.  

Mountain Bru

Jul 27, 2021, 3:08 PM

Why would you launch a fancy new handlebar and then not put Dura Ace shifters on it?

 

Thomo

Jul 27, 2021, 3:24 PM

12 minutes ago, Mountain Bru said:

Why would you launch a fancy new handlebar and then not put Dura Ace shifters on it?

 

Suggests that I'd probably have to choose between the bar and DA as my budget is unlikely to accommodate both. ????

Very nice.! ????

splat

Jul 27, 2021, 3:53 PM

43 minutes ago, Mountain Bru said:

Why would you launch a fancy new handlebar and then not put Dura Ace shifters on it?

 

Probably because of stock availability (worldwide shortages). Joking/Not Joking
And/Or
Shimano is about to release their new Dura-Ace (for the last 18 months), so its either use the current D-A and then be out of date or 'leak' the new version

Spinnekop

Jul 28, 2021, 6:38 AM

Don't get too excited..............

I a city with 2.4m people and 13 bike shops, no one will have............

shaper

Jul 28, 2021, 6:42 AM

At GBP600 I wouldn't get too excited about it https://road.cc/content/tech-news/pro-launches-vibe-evo-integrated-handlebar-285189

bleedToWin

Jul 28, 2021, 6:48 AM

6 minutes ago, shaper said:

Sjoe.

DieselnDust

Jul 28, 2021, 9:06 AM

Moving swiftly back to my Easton EC70 bar...

what a fantastic product

Mountain Bru

Jul 28, 2021, 9:49 AM

My road frame cracked a 2 years ago, and with the insurance money I bought a Wilier Cento 10 Air frame from Merlin Cycles. It came with an integrated cock pit, and was around R22k in my hands.... Although the cockpit isn't quite as "integrated" with the brake cables being slightly exposed. 

For the same money, looks like I could have just got a fancy handlebar from Pro. 
 

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