Energy T Handlebar
It is curious that if you pay a visit to most bike stores you will find many different handlebars to choose from. Actually, that part isn't curious. This part, however, is: very rarely will you find a handlebar with a traditional bend. Curious? No? Well, how about this: After searching through many a local store--including a national mega-store (which will remain unnamed), I found exactly zero bars with a traditional bend. Okay, none of that is curious. The really curious part is why so many riders in the pro peloton choose handlebars with a traditional bend. Whew, I'm glad I was able to finally justify that first sentence.
The FSA Energy T handlebar is one such bar, that is, a bar with a traditional bend. Which is exactly where that heretofore secret letter "T" comes from. In fact, this particular bar can be seen under the grip of some of the fastest riders in the world. If people who get paid to ride pick this bar, why wouldn't I want it? I do want it, in fact.
The Energy T is not only a traditional bend, but is a more traditional aluminum in construction. Perhaps not so traditional is the quad-butted, tapered and shot-peened construction. Though, perhaps boring compared with its sexy competitor, carbon fiber, the Energy T comes in at a very svelte 215 grams--lighter than many carbon fiber handlebars.
Installation was, of course, simple--doubly so since aluminum doesn't require quite the care that carbon fiber demands. There is a double-width groove for routing cables. The test bike these bars were mounted to was stocked with Shimano components, however, so I couldn't test how well both the brake and shift cables from say, SRAM or Campagnolo would fit in the groove.
In addition to being light and durable, the FSA Energy T handlebar is plenty stiff. Though I have experienced drop bars I could easily flex while riding down the road, this wasn't such a bar. As for the traditional bend, I like it. For me, and my small hands, it meant a better reach to the brake levers--a nice feature to have when bombing down a twisty mountain road. The other thing I liked about the traditional bend was the extra long and flat lower section of the bar. I find it very comfortable to stay at the end of the bar for extended periods--something I can't do on the stunted lower section of most "ergonomic" bars. I also found that that straight section combined with the stiffness of the bar, made sprinting from the lower portion quite comfortable--except for the aching in my legs.
One place I didn't like to spend lots of time was in the bend of the drops. In this case, an ergonomic bar has the edge. Though useful for shortening the reach, it also means a constant curve where your hand doesn't want to bend. If you like to spend lots of time right there in the drops behind the brake levers, you might be better off with FSA's Energy bar (minus the "T") which has their standard ergonomic bend. After a few months on the traditional bend, however, I wouldn't go back.
OS 115 Stem
With the infusion of carbon, there is one part that seems to elude the carbon enthusiasts--not that it doesn't come in carbon, but that, generally speaking, it's better in aluminum. Which part is this? The stem. (Actually, there are probably other parts that are better left to aluminum, but that would ruin my opening to have to admit it. Moving on...) Though there are a few carbon fiber stems out on the market. They are generally heavier than their aluminum counterparts.
FSA's aluminum OS 115 stem is a great example of why aluminum is a better material (for now, at least) from which to manufacture stems. It weighs in at a 138 grams. For those out there who can't bear to be without carbon, however, it does use a carbon fiber face-plate to secure the handlebar. The body of the stem is cold-forged and machined. The bolts are titanium. The OS 115 comes in seven lengths and three angles. It uses a 31.8mm handlebar clamp and has a 35mm steerer clamp stack height.
From my first look at it, I immediately noticed many small details where FSA milled away all excess material. Once on the bike, however, I realized that they didn't sacrifice strength. This is a stiff stem--one on which you can feel confident standing up, leaning forward, and sprinting your guts out--which is the usual outcome when I sprint. Ew.
Though beautiful and light, FSA's OS 115 stem showed its worth by standing up with nary a flinch to months of hard riding. I loved how solid the front end of my bike felt with this sturdy stem holding things together. Having that carbon face-plate doesn't hurt, either. After all, what good is showing up to that club ride if you can't show off all the carbon bits on your bike?
该贴已经同步到 阿木狗的微博