Velobike Skat Endurance Handlebars Update

As far as I know, the Velobike Skat Endurance Handlebar is the first modular handlebar on the market.

By modular, I mean that it can be adapted to offer different types of hand positions and (to be confirmed) to different aerodynamic characteristics.

The Grip-C

When I originally purchased this handlebar, it came with the Grip-B, which are fine, but I wanted the grip-C, that seems to offer a better grip and safer position by locking your thumb onto the grip. the grip-C finally arrived and I went on to install them.

Installation

All these grips can be easily removed by using an hex key. Well in fact, you need 2 sizes: 2.5mm and 3mm. If I was the type to change my grips depending on what event I was attending, I’d really wish only one hex key size would allow to remove all the bolts.

After fiddling a bit, I can recommend that if you have to replace your grips, get the top bolt snug before the front one. when I did the opposite, the top bolt was not going in easily, as it was rubbing against the grip itself. Seems like the top hole position could be moved forward by perhaps 1mm…

The installation is still easy and everything perfectly fits. It’s just me being picky considering the high price of this handlebar.

Comfort

Well, I was quite surprised. the Grip-C has a quite sharp edge where the thumb rests. I think I was hoping for something a little more ”round”. I added some Zefal Coton Tape to provide some grip and comfort.

Most pictures I have seen online from athletes using these showed that the grips are actually used as some sort of aero extension rather than ”brake hoods”. It’s only a matter of time before the UCI reacts and bans that kind of usage of the Grip-C. Hopefully, I’ll be able to use them enough before it happens.

Final thoughts

I am still very excited about these handlebars: finally adding a safer grip option, that clearly makes this product unique compared to my Bici hoods, was what I was looking for all along. It will allow me to adopt a very ”aero” position while having a firm and secure grip on the handlebars.

Not ready to spend so much money on handlebars?

More and more options are becoming available on the market. Seems like Bici will eventually come out with a new hood design, so keep an eye out for those. I’d say the strongest contender and most viable option as an alternative to the Velobike Skat Handlebar is the Vision Metron Track handlebar. The Thumb rest is very smooth, rounder and offers a similar grip surface.

There are 2 main things to consider:

– The vision Metron Track is only offered in one width: 36.5mm

– It is very hard to find because it is rarely available.

On a positive note, depending on your position toward high end gear and Track cycling gear: maybe you pay double the price for the Velobike stuff, but it’s readily available, worldwide. When you purchase something from Velobike, you get the feeling and the satisfaction that you are buying a product that was made for track cyclists and that the company cares about their customers.