The OG handlebar for Track Cycling Bunch events.
By proposing a new type of modern handlebars for track cyclist, Velobike challenged the whole track cycling market by introducing new products to a market that is usually dominated by big or obscur companies, offering limited access to the best equipment at ridiculously high prices. So if there is one thing that Velobike have succesfuly achieved, it’s that they have set a standard for equipment usage amongst athletes worldwide. Equipment that they developed, designed and marketed very well to a point that world class athletes and amateurs adopted their products massively.
In fact, they proposed solutions to problems that most track cycling were having. Coming up with a complete catalog of stuff that a close to inexistant critical mass of track cyclist, spread around the world, went on to adopt and perform at all levels with.
Furthermore, Velobike have managed to create products that adapt to the needs of high performance track cycling, that can integrate to existing bike platforms and at a price that is still decent. In a very small market where almost every component is proprietary, this is something quite interesting.
I went to the bike shop
Among the nice things that you can find in Velobike’s catalog, is the Track bike adapter kit for your smart trainer. Something I have been wanting for years when I was more invested in track cycling.
Although I really wish i could ride my track bike on my smart trainer these days, I decided to purchase a set of Skat Endurance Handlebars instead. And against almost everything I believe in, I went ahead and purchased the 300mm wide version. Because, yes, I think the super narrow handlebar trend, especially on the road, is dangerous.
So I can say this, all that will be written here will be my honest opinion and review of this product, that has set a standard in the ”track cycling handlebars business”. If I was the type of person to use clickbait titles, I’d use words like ”disrupting”. and ”broken” to make a tiktok video of this review.
Here is what we are talking about.
Why?
As I am getting less and less flexible, it became obvious that I would spend most of my time riding the track on the top of the bars. For a while, I have been using the Bici Hoods that are great, really great. My search for new ways of finding speed lead me to numerous articles about drag, aerodynamism and how to be as efficient as possible while traveling at high speeds on the velodrome.
Since I failed to find ridiculously narrow alloy handlebars to mount my Bici hoods on, I started to consider the higher end products.
I also wanted something that would be close to a ok time trial position, without having to invest in a whole TT setup. I was never a good Time-Trialist, mainly because of my lack of flexibility. I just can’t get into a good aero position and output my best power at the same time. Add to that the amount of time you need to ride in that aero position, fine tune it, fiddle with adapters and expensive parts and yeah, you lost me.
So I came with what seems to be the best alternative. Work on my flexibility just for the sake of staying healthy, and find the lowest and narrowest position that is still comfortable and efficient.
But why, again?, because every bit of time you are not spending to fight against air resistance on a track bike, is time that you can use to either go faster or further.
The Skat Endurance Handlebar
It’s a massive piece of T800, mixed with T700 carbon, with a glossy finish. Notice that there are inserts on top of the bars. Those inserts are interchangeable, offering different types of grips (of lack of). At the time of writing this, only the Grib B were available, but I am waiting for the Grip C, which seems to be the most popular grip used out there. The grips are made of Nylon, and manufactured by using a MFJ additive process.
The Grip-C is the design that made this bar so popular, and finally, some other manufacturer are adopting it and integrating similar concepts into their track bar design. The thing is, track cycling is sooooo marginal, that everything costs a lot of money. A lot. but when you compare the 12 000$ handlebars that some other companies make, the Skat Endurance handlebar is almost inexpensive, (almost).
Aside from the grips, the handlebars have a nice little flare in them, which is nice. It gives some room for the forearms when in the drops and ads a little bit of stability when out of the saddle.
Finally, there is a little notch on the left side of the aero top for your thumb. this was specificaly designed to allow for a better grip when giving your relay during a Madison race. I don’t see myself using this but for real endurance riders out there, it’s a plus.
The specs
There are 4 sizes available for the Skat handlebar. Ranging from a super narrow 275mm width to a casually narrow 350mm width measured centre to centre at the drops. With a 15deg flare, the width at the grips is narrower.
Every grip can be replaced by another model to suit your needs. Those are feel pretty solid. I would not be afraid about breaking them.
More info:
– UCI legal for the 2023 ruleset (Yes I am afraid the rules will change and that I wont be able to use them next year)
– Designed and tested to exceed 1.5x ISO strength requirements .
– Ceramic gloss finish
– Japanese Toray High Modulus Carbon Fiber (T700 and T800)
– 275mm, 300mm, 325mm and 350mm widths (center to center) 110mm drop (center to center)
– ø26mm grips
– ø31.8mm stem clamping area
– 15° grip angle
First Impressions
I rode with my new bars for 45 minutes on the rollers. I’d say the Grip-B is very similar to the type of support and comfort that the Bici Hoods provide. I can’t wait to get the Grip-C to try them out for additional support.
The width is surprisingly comfortable. The flare is perfect. At first I thought I would have wanted more flare, but it turns out that 15deg is the sweet spot.
The Madison grip is quite nice but I am not sure it suits all hands sizes. I have fairly square shaped medium hands, it’s perfect. Smaller hands will maybe have less support and larger hands will probably have issues fitting the thumb between the stem and the bar. As I can’t change hand size, I’ll have to get people to try it out.
I think the only thing I would have wanted to be a bit different is the Bar end. It’s pointy, and I would have preferred a non-tapered, flat end. A bit like the Novacorona Ares Bars.
What’s next?
Testing.
Who knows how many watts I could be saving with the Skat Endurance handlebar. So I’ll be testing different setups, and comparing values. It’s quite basic since I only have a powermeter to do that testing, but the velodrome is a fairly stable environment and it’s easy to test different equipment while respecting some basic parameters like speed and bike fit.
This is one aspect of track cycling that is quite annoying for amateurs. No one shares their data. It’s such a competitive cycling discipline. I am sure that testing all that equipment is costing a lot of money and once a federation had found a fast formula, they have no incentive to share it with others. Which makes sense.
Boards and Peaks - Von Westfalen 