Zipp

Vuka Sprint Carbon Handlebar

To be as aero as you can be has become the holy grail for most cycling companies. Aero, light and durable is the holy trinity. Wind resistance, unlike weight or gradient, is something you can never escape. So every aspect and part of your equipment should be constructed with an eye to keeping it as aero as possible. The Zipp VukaSprint Handlebar accomplishes for your road bike what the VukaBull does for your time trial bike -- it helps you cut through the wind with an efficiency that will save you effort, even into the toughest headwinds.

The VukaSprint is a carbon drop bar that borrows the airfoil technology from the VukaBull aerobar to re-form the typically round upper part of the bars into a more aerodynamic wing shape. As opposed to round handlebars, you’ll have an ergonomically satisfying platform to rest your hands on when riding on the tops of the bar, and ...the VukaSprint gives you a satisfying platform for your hands on the tops of the bars, but when you're in the drops they're super aero... when you're in your drops for a more aero position, the airfoil shaping will help reduce the drag as you hammer on the flats in a long breakaway à la Jens Voigt circa 2005.

A comfortable hand position is also aided by the fact that Zipp designed these bars to have internal cable routing, which makes wrapping the bars much easier. It also eliminates that unsightly, uncomfortable bulge that often results from an ill-wrapped, externally routed cable under the handlebar tape. It also ensures that the carefully designed aerodynamics of the VukaSprint bars is not ruined by bulging cables on the exterior of the bars.

Any aero issues aside, the VukaSprint bars also surpass themselves with regard to the other two most important aspects of cycling equipment: lightness and durability. At a feathery 210 grams in a size 42cm, they're lighter than most. And this is in spite of the fact that the shape of the bars requires a broad profile and stiff carbon fiber layup. But since Zipp uses such high quality carbon fiber and intelligently planned layup methods, they're able to increase durability and strength while keeping the weight down.

The Zipp VukaSprint Handlebar has a clamp diameter of 31.8mm and a clamp width of 50.0mm. It's available in 42 and 44 cm (outside to outside) widths and either in a traditional bend or a short-shallow drop. The traditional bend has a reach of 87.5mm and a drop of 130mm. The short and shallow bend has a reach of 84.5mm and a drop of 128mm.