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Information about the Cross-Wing Aero Carbon handlebars
Who is the Cross-Wing handlebar for?
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Racing cyclists or cyclists who need particularly aerodynamic and narrow handlebars.
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Gravel bike riders who want to ride an aero handlebar that is not too wide and has good damping, but cannot do without the flare, a small drop and the ability to mount accessories on the top handlebar.
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For all athletes who ride in larger groups or a racing peloton.
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For track riders who need an aerodynamic and narrow racing handlebar for sprint and mass disciplines (see also the explanations below).
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Basically to all racing cyclists who want to have an improved riding experience with their bike.
Two years ago, the riders of a very well-known women's professional team had to use 42cm or even 44cm handlebars because the stem-handlebar combination with a long stem is only available with wide handlebars. Fortunately, the manufacturers have understood the advantages and now also offer narrow versions.
Wide handlebars like those in the picture on the left should be a thing of the past.
Currently the brake handles are often turned inwards. For many cyclists, this is not understandable at first glance. Once you have tested it, everyone has been convinced and often enthusiastic about the advantages. You see these twisted brake levers more and more often on professional teams.
We have the cross-wing handlebars on these brake handles turned inwards developed. This not only looks good, but also forms a good combination with the flare.
The handlebars have brake handles that are moderately turned inwards UCI legal. Here is the expected device for checking the angle of the handles.
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Technical data:
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Width at the lower link (40cm, 42cm and 43cm (center-center))
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Handlebar width for the brake handle clamps (33cm, 35cm and 36cm)
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Wide hand rests on the top link (approx. 54mm) for ergonomic gripping and for aerodynamics (approx. 12 watt gain at 45 km/h)
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Aero optimization - measured 23 watts gain at 40 km/h in brake handle position
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Low drop (105mm) for a grip in the lower handlebars that is not too deep
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Low reach (72mm) for a short distance from the brake handles
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Inwardly turned drops (ramp) for inwardly angled shift/brake handles for a fast aero position
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Sprint on the lower links with enough space for the wrists
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Cable duct for quick handlebar replacement
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Backsweep (approx. 25mm extension on the top link to the rear)
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Flare (lower link positioned 20° outwards)
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However, parallel handlebar ends (no outsweep or outward bend)
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Ergo-Drops (straight piece) and Short Extensions (short handlebar end)
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High vibration damping (thanks to the carbon and the flat top link)
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40cm and 43cm version with 50mm clamping area
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42cm version with 100mm clamping area for mounting aero handlebar attachments or other accessories (clip-on bars, computer/lamp holder, bell, handlebar bag)
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Full Aerodynamic Integrated Cable Routing (inside train routing)
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Di2 compatible (for the Di2 control box in the handlebar end / EW-RS910)
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Beskar reinforced, uni-directional running carbon fibers
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Weight approx. 230g *
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High-quality carbon design (matt black with printed logo and glossy black decor)
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Permissible driver weight 110 kg **
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Stem and accessory clamping 31.8mm
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Approved for racing and gravel bikes
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ISO 4210 tested - Zedler Institute Advanced Plus test passed
You can download the handlebar manual here (link).
* Weight information based on our own measurements and with a weight difference of up to 5g due to manufacturing fluctuations.
** Driver plus clothing and backpack
43cm version
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42cm version
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Prices
Cross wing handlebars
Speedometer bracket
Handlebar bag
Handlebar tape
219 Euro
19 Euro
19 Euro
15 Euro
New season discount for the Cross-Wing for 219 Euro till 21st May 2024.
Free shipping within Germany and the EU
Development
From our point of view, the “cockpit” - especially the handlebars - on a racing bike and especially on a gravel race bike is next to the tires and the gear ratio A and O.
You have the handlebars “in your hand” every time you ride and use them to control the wheel, steering, balance and aerodynamics. The handlebars should be pleasant to the touch, absorb shock, allow for multiple ergonomic and aerodynamic positions, have low air resistance and look good. In addition, the handlebars should be light, not too expensive, have space for add-on parts, support the new Di2 cabling and be easily replaceable.
The “handling” of the handlebars is particularly important away from perfectly paved roads. There are now hundreds of gravel handlebars (link) and we tested several popular aero bars. Unfortunately, we didn't find any handlebars that had the characteristics that were important to us combined in one handlebar. Ultimately we developed our own handlebars.
The Cross wing handlebars, which is suitable for paved roads as well as natural paths.
The name is based on the “X” that appears from above and behind as the geometry continues. Unfortunately, the name "X-Wing" is protected by the Star Wars films, so we refer to the handlebar as a Cross-Wing. You can find a reference to the X in the logo.
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The material is carbon. Carbon handlebars offer better damping and the variable design is necessary for the properties we want. Aluminum handlebars have less damping and cannot be shaped as “freely”. The flattened top link on the cross-wing handlebar creates a noticeable flex and thus absorbs shocks from the front wheel.
Modern handlebars have a more or less pronounced one Flare of the lower link (vertical) and one Bending the drops outwards (horizontal). This means that the handlebars are positioned outwards in the underhand grip and are wider than on the hoods (brake handles). The resulting wider grip position in the lower link allows for higher power transmission in sprints and a better one Control on uneven surfaces for more security.
Aerodynamic is very important to us . The cross-wing handlebars with the inwardly angled brake handles offer a "new" aero position that is similar to a boom on a time trial bike. This is an advantage for both a road and gravel racing bike and saves around 23 watts at 40km/h.
Aerodynamic calculations
The wider grip on the lower handlebars is an advantage when off-road and sprinting, but the available handlebars are too wide for us. We didn't find a handlebar with a flare that was less than 46cm wide at the end of the handlebar. Riding in a larger group (race or RTF / cycling marathon) with handlebars that are over 46cm wide is a hindrance. We also have one parallel handlebar ends are very important, because the outsweep (outward bend) at the end of the handlebars is very uncomfortable when riding in a group because you are afraid of “hooking” on someone else with the wide end of the handlebars.
That's why we chose despite the flare moderate handlebar widthsof 40cm, 42cm and 43cm at the end of the handlebar (center-center). These offer that proven racing bike feeling without having to constantly switch to unusually wide handlebars.
The 40cm and 43cm versions are our aerodynamically prioritized handlebars, which have a 5cm wide clamping area for the stem. To mount the bike computer, we offer mounts for GARMIN and WAHOO that are screwed to the stem.
The 42cm version is modified and is our “universal handlebar”. The clamping area here is 10cm wide and allows you to mount a speedometer and lamp holder, aero boom, bell, additional brake lever from the Shimano GRX group or handlebar bags. The 42cm handlebar has many options that no other aero handlebar offers.
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The lower link is 35mm further out on each side and therefore offers space when sprinting without the forearm hitting the upper link. This also makes it possible to reduce the drop (lowering of the lower handlebar grips) to 105mm. This means you don't go too deep there and have a comfortable position even in the lower link. So far we have only found one handlebar with less drop (Ritchey VentureMax with 102mm). All other handlebars have 110mm or more. Driving with the lower links should be just as comfortable as with the brake handles.
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Now an important topic for us as sellers of complete bikes and retrofit handlebar providers: replacing handlebars.
This is usually underestimated and with hydraulic disc brakes, replacing the handlebars with (integrated) lines running through the handlebars is a problem. To change the handlebars, all lines and shift cables must be removed from the frame and rerouted. The brakes must then be bled and the gearshift adjusted. If you can't do it yourself, you'll pay up to 200 euros at the bike dealer. Even for racing drivers, it is not possible to change the handlebars “quickly” after a fall. That's why our cross-wing handlebars have an open cable channel under the top link in which the cables can be inserted. This maintains the aerodynamics and changing the handlebars is done really quickly.
Brake handles angled inwards have the following advantages:
On the lower link:
The brake and gear levers can be reached more easily and quickly because the fingers have to be stretched less to reach the brake lever. The position of the brake and gear levers is also more comfortable and is parallel to the tube on a handlebar with a flare.
On the brake handles:
Here the hand has a slightly inwardly turned position. This is the natural position of the hand when it is stretched (loosely) forward. The rotation outwards or straight forwards is unnatural.
The brake and gear levers can also be operated more easily. It is important to hold the brake handles firmly and brake at the same time, especially on bumpy surfaces. This is better because the handles can be held more firmly.
On the brake handle humps:
A completely new and at the same time very aerodynamic position is achieved by holding on to the inwardly angled brake handle humps and placing your forearms on the top link. Basically, this is a similar position to that of an aero trailer. The flat top link makes this comfortable and has the advantage that your hands can operate the brake very quickly. This is not possible with the extensions. Aero tests show a significant reduction in wattage of approximately 23 watts at 40 km/h in this mount compared to a standard racing wheel.
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At the upper position nothing changes. The aerodynamics caused by the brake handles being turned inwards are only minimally impaired and disproportionate to the aerodynamic gain due to the new posture and improved ergonomics.
You see – many advantages and almost no relevant disadvantages. Basically all hand positions remain identical. The new shapes of the Shimano and SRAM brake levers also support this mounting position. Just test it yourself. You get used to the new look within 2-3 rides and you don't want to be without the improved feeling.
We advise against a combined handlebar-stem combination. Not only because these handlebar units are very inflexible and you can rarely make the right adjustment. The price and the replacement in the event of a fall also make this variant not a recommendation. That's why we have fundamentally decided against this for our racing bikes and would like to offer our customers a practical and affordable solution with the cross-wing handlebar.
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Here is an overview of the widths at the clamping of the brake handles and at the end of the handlebars (center-center in each case):
Drop 105mm
Reach 72mm
Handlebar end: 40cm ---> Width at brake handle: 33cm
Handlebar end: 42cm ---> Width at brake handle: 35cm
Handlebar end: 43cm ---> Width at brake handle: 36cm
Special feature for track bikes
Train riders prefer onenarrow Handlebars.
This has in addition to the better aerodynamics a big advantage in the field safer and freer driving to be able to. The racing field on a cycle track is very narrow and wide handlebars have disadvantages there.
Sprinters use handlebar widths between 30cm and 33cm. However, you also need one for this strong upper body to compensate for the forces of the legs and the shorter lever arm on the handlebars (right picture).
Train riders in the endurance disciplines do not have such a strong upper body and need a larger lever arm on the handlebars to be able to pedal at high wattages (>1000 watts).
Aerodynamic tests prove that the handlebar grip horizontal forearms reduces air resistance. That's why we usually drive in this position (left picture).
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An even further reduction in resistance is achieved by making the handlebars narrower in this position. The 40cm Cross wing LIn this grip position, enker has a width of 32cm (see picture below).
This enables a significant reduction in air resistance at the high speeds of over 50 km/h on the cycle track.
The Cross-Wing racing bike handlebar combines one for track riders in mass disciplines narrow aero position on the top link and at the same time one sufficient width for sprinting in the lower links.
