Pro Star Series Cavendish bar and stem Review

Reviewer: Mike Hawkins

23-Sep-2010 | 0 Reviews

Rating:

£224.98 (at time of review)

Pros

Stiff
Strong
Good for budding sprinters

Cons

Set-up may not suit all riders

See verdict and spec

Unique bar set-up built for sprint king Mark Cavendish, £74.99, £149.99

Coming in the usual 40, 42, 44cm widths, the Cav bar is unlike any other single bar we've used but features elements of many.

Oversized across the tops, it has the shoulder of a track sprinter's bar and an unfashionable anatomic bend. Combined with four internal splines, Cav's bar has a unique feel.

Obviously the ‘track' shoulder means the bar is good for sprinting but is surprisingly good on the hoods too. On the face of it, it's a hotch-potch of elements, none of which I would personally choose, yet it all hangs together really rather well. Yes, it's stiff and good for sprinting, yet it's comfortable for all-day use and at a shade under 300g isn't a bad weight.

With stem lengths of 135, 120 and 105mm the range of options isn't wide, unlike the stem itself. Around the steerer tube it's broad and rounded, meaning a knee connection shouldn't be too painful. At the bar clamp it's widened massively and with an interlocking stem cap you can see how Pro can claim it's double the stiffness of the regular stem.

Verdict

As a combination, they make for an unyielding front end, but not too uncomfortable most likely due to the wheel, fork and steerer tube having plenty of flex available. Ideally suited to sprinters but regular riders and those looking for strength will also get on with it.