Life In The Saddle

With the growing popularity of sweep handlebars (a.k.a. wood-chipper bars) I thought it was about time to see how they could improve the ride of one of my gravel / cyclocross bikes. To test and review, I fitted the new Easton EA70 AX handlebars and Easton EA70 stem to my Kona Private Jake . I have not upgraded much on my 2016 Kona Private Jake; the stock components are genuinely superb. With the more recent models of Kona gravel bikes featuring sweep handlebars though, it suggested it would be a worthwhile upgrade to test. The Easton EA70 AX Handlebars are an alloy sweep bar aimed at the gravel and adventure market. The handlebar features the same top section as the well praised Easton EA70 road handlebar, but the drops flare out at 16 degrees to provide a wider grip for greater control on rough terrain and descents. Sweep bars come in varying degrees of angles, some with a very extreme flare. Easton deemed that a 16 degree flare was optimal for easy switching between hand p...

Even many high-end models come with hard rubber handlebar grips. One of the best upgrades you can make, in my opinion, is to switch these out to soft silicone foam grips like those made by USA brand ESI Grips. Silicone foam MTB grips offer improved cushioning, comfort, and grip compared to harder compound grips. Just like tyres, the softer compound increases the contact area between your gloves and the bars, and therefore reduces pressure points. Of course, the softer nature also helps to provide more cushioning from vibrations, which further enhances your ability to hold and control the handlebars. ESI Grips claim to be the ORIGINAL 100% silicone grip producer, and still make all of their products in the USA. Their range is extensive – with a variety of cushioning levels, and a variety of grip widths. I have tested the ESI Racer's Edge, ESI Fit XC, and the ESI Fit CR Grips. My favourite of the three is the Fit CR, which is a mix of 'Chunky' deep cushioning and the ...

I am constantly micro-adjusting the set-up on my bikes to find the most comfortable and powerful position. The latest upgrade to my road bike is a set of narrower Easton carbon handlebars and a shorter stem. It is a marked improvement. Here's why… The standard large size road bike (56cm) will come with a 100mm stem and 42cm handlebars. Most 'racers' will whip that 'short' stem straight off, and replace it with anything up to 130mm in length. Most will stick with the 42cm width handlebars though. Both of these choices seems increasingly illogical, in my opinion… Stem Length The main motivation for opting to upsize a stem seems to be "it's what the Pro's do". The trend for long stems in the pro peloton relates to the tradition of opting for a smaller frame size, something that was done in bygone years because it helped to reduce weight. Something that is largely unnecessary now, because all top-end bikes are under the UCI weight limit; ye...