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PRODUCT REVIEWS: 3T ROTUNDO TEAM CARBON HANDLEBAR
Road Bike Action
November 12, 2008
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THE STORY
3T’s new ownership group purchased the company from Gruppo last year. One of their first actions was to hire former team Ferrari Formula 1 composites engineer Richard McAinsh. McAinsh brought to 3T a fresh approach to carbon design by starting out with many of the same composite software programs used by Ferrari and Boeing. His approach was to re-design 3Ts products from the ground up, aligning the carbon composite lay-ups to maximize strength and minimize weight. Team CSC used 3T products this year due and expect to see them used on more teams in 2009.
TECH
The 3T Rotundo Team carbon bar comes in the shape of what’s known as the “Pro-bar bend”. This allows many comfortable hand positions, due to it’s rounded curved design. This differs from many of the anatomical aero designs currently in vogue, that somewhat limit where your hands have to be placed. Single wall carbon design is used in the Rotundo Team with a remarkably low weight of 202 grams in the 42 mm size (tested), while surpassing the new CEN safety standards.
RBA SAYS
Red graphics on the gloss black carbon is pure Italian art. We appreciated the non-slip texturing at the stem clamp interface and the brake/shifter location, while index marks are placed on the rear of bars to allow easier symmetrical brake lever alignment. The bar’s 31.8-bulged center section is extended so there’s room for the addition of clip-ons if desired. These are sweet riding bars. The bars were stiff during out of the saddle efforts, yet the single walled carbon design still absorbed road shock. All of our RBA test riders liked the bars bend.
PRICE: $240
INFO: www.thenew3t.com
WEIGHT: 202 grams
BONUS POINTS: Style, design, weight, bend and of course, victory in the Tour de France.
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