Ruegamer Bar/stem combo

[madcow]

Testing duration: over 1 year.

Weight: I started with a 144gram 110mm ti stem and a 214gram Modolo KX Curvissimo bar. Combined weight of 358grams. Once the bonding was done the system weight for the bar and stem was 316grams, saving 42grams but also producing a much cleaner looking combo.

I have always liked the looks of integrated bar/stems but never liked the inability to adjust them thoroughly. Having Ruegamer make the custom was great. Take the bar and stem that you want to use, mount them to your bike and adjust them. Once the fitting is done, send them off and he bonds them exactly as they were when you sent them.

I'm told it should increase the stiffness a bit, but I've not noticed that, not that I had an issue with lack of stiffness to begin with.

Once concern I always have with carbon bars is that the stems sometimes like to pinch them. The integrated ones do not have this issue and for me it adds a sense of security and reliability. In the past year, not once have I had any issue with the combo.

There may not be huge weight savings, or large increases in stiffness, but at the same time there are some. Add to that that the bar will not be crushed by the stem and the much cleaner, smoother look of the combo and it's one of the better upgrades I've made in a long time.

[pritchet74]

Pure sex appeal. Does it get any better than that? Me likey-likey!

[bman88]

I have been thinking about doing this for a long time. I have a pair of Easton EC90 Equipe bars and an F99 stem that I would like to have bonded like above. I agree that the weight savings is not that much but the look is amazing and it is custom.

[pritchet74]

bman88 - if you have it done before the end of the year them I can bring them up to you. I'll be in Abbotsford for New Years - it'd save you on customs charges...

[Fibre-Lyte]

Very nice