Schmolke Carbon was founded in 1993, shortly after Stefan Schmolke constructed the world's first carbon fiber handlebar. In the following years, rigorous safety and performance tests and use by top professionals such as Jan Ullrich and Erik Zabel proved that these lightweight carbon bars could easily outperform the best aluminum bars on the market. The SL (Superlight) handlebar is the little brother (so to speak) to Schmolke's TLO handlebar; slightly heavier, yet more affordable due to its use of slightly lower quality carbon and a less labor-intensive carbon layup schedule.
Manufactured from T800 carbon (a rating of the carbon's tensile strength, with the lower T700 rating as the bicycle industry standard), the SL's unidirectional carbon structure is purposefully hand laid to optimize strength and durability. The final woven carbon layer (available in 1k, 3k, or 12k varieties) is added for safety, but also does well in complimenting the handlebar's simple aesthetic. The SL is available in classic ergo bend and a newer compact design. The compact bar tops are backswept five degrees, while the drop radius is moved upward to improve the transition to the brake hoods and to shorten reach to the brake levers while in the drops.
All Schmolke products are intensely tested for durability and safety, and the company possesses the utmost confidence in their product. Therefore, they provide a three year replacement warranty which covers defects in materials and manufacturing.
Available widths: 40cm, 42cm, 44cm (measured center to center)
Stem clamp diameters: 26.0mm (31.8 available by end of 2009)
Rider weight limit: 75kg
Weights:
40cm, 163g
42cm, 172g (with aluminum-reinforced stem clamp section)
