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Xtri Gear Review: Edge Composites carbon stem and road handlebar
By Mark Deterline
1/20/2010 |
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Appreciation of today's carbon fiber weave and modulus characteristics is widespread in the cycling and multisport industries, but naturally in myriad other markets, as well. While still positioning itself as an up-and-comer in the bicycle industry a few years ago, Edge was providing technology and manufacturing for heavy hitters in other sports market segments: ice axes by prominent climbing and ski gear company Black Diamond, snowboard bindings by Burton, and running shoes by Zoot (composite midsole inserts). Such projects often call for the fusion of carbon with other materials of drastically different makeup and behavioral characteristics, like silicone rubber.
One of things that make Edge Composites such an imposing threat is its focus on and expertise in carbon fiber design and manufacturing. Whereas many companies began as alloy bike component makers, Edge has had a singular goal since its inception: utilizing to their fullest potential the latest and continually evolving composite technologies in the development of components for cycling and other sports.
After interviewing several elite triathletes regarding what to look for in a draft-legal setup, I figured this combination would be relevant for those searching for the right combination of comfort, performance and minimal weight. And, of course, the key feature required for the use of a road bar in a TT configuration: a round stem clamp section that is wide enough to allow for the safe and secure mounting of aero extensions.
Edge is best known for its carbon road/cyclocross and mountain wheelsets, available in both tubular ("2.0" and superlight "1.0" series) and all-carbon clinchers. Yet with the addition over the past two years of all-carbon road and MTB handlebars as well as a sleek new carbon seatpost, Edge is setting itself up to be one of the big players in the cockpit market, as they already offer one-piece construction composite forks. One key ingredient arguably missing from its nearly comprehensive lineup was a carbon stem...
Edge has created a stem whose body is a full carbon structure, as opposed to carbon-wrapped alloy, with only threaded alloy anchors molded into its form to interface with the titanium clamp bolts that secure it to handlebar and fork. The choice of stem clamp design was influenced by the need to make the critical connection to a handlebar both safe and foolproof. The one-piece, forged alloy clamp is secured with four ti bolts, and the outer edge profile of the clamp and stem head are arced to reduce the risk of what is referred to as "stress notching". Stress notching can occur along contact points that run perpendicular and straight across clamped tubular interfaces, like a handlebar's clamp area or the steerer tube of a fork.
With carbon's inherent qualities of strength-to-weight, stiffness and shaping versatility, the Edge stem is elegantly oversized and weighs only 208 grams while providing excellent vertical and torsional stability. Like their ergonomic road bar, which I used in tandem with the stem, the result was a comfortable, solid, impact-dampening ride. I have conducted road testing over several months on a mid-range all carbon road bike. Together, the stem and bars performed as well as any other bar-stem setup I've ridden.
Worthy of mention are the specs and shape of the Edge carbon road bar, which provides good middle-of-the-road reach (85mm), comfortable yet not overly shaped tops, and 144mm depth of ergonomically curved (as opposed to flattened) drops. The 42cm model weighs in at 200 and is available in a total of five sizes: 36cm, 38cm, 40cm, 42cm, 44cm measured center-to-center from one lever mount area to the other. The Edge road bar also boasts built-in rubber end plugs - a unique and appealing feature.
Finally, the graphics of both stem and bar are distinctive - I received positive feedback from other cyclists while out riding. The shape of the stem clamp is intended to simulate the vertical lines of the "D" and "E" in the underlying Edge logo on the face of the bar. Meanwhile, the triangular scallop on each side (as is the case on the company's wheelsets) soften the winged ends of the logo.
The stem graphics were modified to complement the form of the component itself - something Edge has not been afraid to do in the application of its branding to each of its products. The stem features horizontal scallop-less Edge logos paired with circularly repeating logos like its wheel graphics (but in miniature) near the stem clamp on both sides.
There is certainly appeal to this implementation of white which is used as an accent color on the dark background provided by the carbon makeup of both bar and stem. In contrast, the Edge stem clamp faceplate is completely white, differentiating it from other brands' use of white as the predominant color for the stem body and/or bars while the cap is black or a hybrid of colors.
MSRP:
Road Bar - $350
Stem - $265
More information at: www.edgecomposites.com
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