Tradition and cycling go hand in mitt, but sometimes innovation yields not just performance gains but aesthetic advantage too.
Take these handlebars for example:
The 3T Aeronova is a lightweight full carbon bar, with internal cable routing and an aero shape that will make the front of your bike slippier than a buttered Brexiteer.
I got sent a set of these bars to test, and while 3T say they're designed to eke every last watt from "the latest aero road bikes" I went a bit off message. Instead of fitting them to my carbon race (ok, "sportive") machine, I set them up on an early summer bike project - a 1980s Duell Columbus steel frameset, fitted with a contemporary Campagnolo groupset.
It's not the use they were intended for, and the blend of modern and classic lines will divide opinion; but, having road-tested the bike on a ride to Paris and a couple of sportives, I'm sure of one thing: these bars are a joy to use.
First to the shape: the bars are beautifully sculpted from high-modulus uni-directional carbon fibre, and the appearance and finish in the flesh is top notch. With their glossy, smoothly curved wings allied with an incredibly low weight of just 205g, the bars look and feel like they were born to fly. Those ergonomic curves translate into a comfortable grip too - but more on that later.
The Aeronova features a compact 127mm drop, which is great if you finding tucking low a stretch. There's a bit of flare in the drops too - they widen by 6 degrees as they curve down. This allows clearance for your wrists, as the width at the hoods is 26mm narrower than in the drops (Incidentally, the advertised width is the width at the drops - so the 42cm model tested measures 39.4cm at the hoods).
Reach is a little longer than most bars at 104mm, so you might need to use a shorter stem to compensate, or nudge your saddle forward a few mm. But 3T say they designed the bars this way on purpose to encourage a lower, more aero position - so maybe keep your existing stem, and take up a morning stretch routine to feel the full benefits...
But what about that distinctive flat top that gives the Aeronova its unique look and aero credentials?
When I first saw the bars, apart from being smitten by the looks my practical concerns were 1) How do I wrap the bar tape over that? and 2) Are those tops going to be comfortable on a long ride?
Where wrapping the bar tape is concerned, there's nothing to say you couldn't wrap the aero tops, but I opted not to. Deciding exactly where to end the tape is a debate to while away the winter nights, but I wrapped it a couple of turns short of the bend and stopped there. Each to their own - but I wanted to leave as much as possible of the glossy carbon finish on show.
As for comfort, even without the cushioning of bar tape my concerns were unfounded. Firstly, I'm generally too busy clutching the controls to rest my hands on the tops much, except sometimes on a long climb. But secondly, it turns out the flattened tops are actually fairly comfortable. You just have to get used to the idea of resting your palms on the top instead of grasping it as you would a round bar. It's a transition that only takes a few miles - and I also found that the turn of the bars, where the round section transitions into the aero tops, is a perfect perch for your palms.
What about stiffness? Having only ever used alloy bars I fully expected these to be significantly stiffer, but I found the opposite. Grabbing the drops and leaning with all the might of my 65 kilos, I detected a noticeable flex...
This might be due to the slim cross-section of the tops, or it might even have been the result of a bit of give in the front tyre. Either way, out on the road I've covered century rides over everything from smooth Sussex tarmac to rutted French fields without so much as a twinge in my hands or wrists.
I doubt these bars have made me faster; any aero benefits are likely counteracted by the old-school lines of the frame. But the bike definitely looks faster - and surprisingly, they feel more comfortable than the alloy bars on my carbon Bianchi.
It's perhaps worth saying a few words about the initial set-up. If you're worried about the internal cable routing, don't be: threading the cable outers through the bars is the only minor challenge, but it's a one-off job and unlike regular bars you don't need to faff about with electrical tape.
The bars come with disposable plastic cable guides pre-inserted to help run the brake and gear cables through, but I found it best to chuck these and fit the cable housing first. Otherwise, it's all too easy to put a kink in your gear and brake cables when trying to force the cable outers around the bends.
So let's get to the bottom line. The Aeronova land in at a hefty £299.99 RRP. You can shop around, but there's no getting away from the fact these are an expensive upgrade. Are they worth the outlay?
If you're serious about performance and have deep pockets, then quite possibly yes. I know that my test rig is the equivalent of putting a Formula 1 front wing on a Ford Cortina, but the Aeronova are lightweight, beautifully finished bars that will grace any high-end race bike.
Stick them on your watt-whittling aero machine, tuck in and feel the benefit. Or put them on your steel cruiser and enjoy the comfort and ensuing cafe-stop controversy. Either way, the 3T Aeronova bars are a winner.
3T Aeronova Ltd carbon handlebar - £299.99, www.3tcycling.com
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