Profile Design

Svet R Carbon Basebar

Given their solitary, no-draft nature, we wouldn't disagree if someone claimed that properly dialed bike fit is more important for triathlons and time trials than any other cycling discipline. With the exception of the occasional (prolonged) pass, a triathlete or TT specialist is in the wind 100% of the time, so the customizable fit of kit like Profile Design's Svet R Carbon Basebar is the only respite from the dragging grip of the wind.

The Svet R's Two-Way Fit design is, like most features with such involved names, actually a simple mechanic to help bring stack height into the sweet spot for any cyclist's ideal aerodynamic position. The bar can be installed with the wings angle down, slamming the stack with a 20mm drop to the brake extensions that maintains a tucked position while navigating tricky corners on the brake levers. Alternatively, the Svet R can be flipped to provide 20mm of stack for more upright stability when you're not stretched out on the aerobars. Either way, the aerobars themselves clip in at the same spot, level with your stem clamp.

The brake extensions themselves are flat, and the lack of an additional rise helps to maintain an aggressive posture even while you're not on the aerobars. Cable routing is internal, eliminating telltale ridges under bar tape that can throw off your grip while catching wind. The basebar's carbon fiber construction orients the fibers to accommodate the load bearing requirements for different areas, keeping material to a minimum while maintaining a structural integrity that, with proper torque on the stem mounting hardware, will stand up to virtually any in-saddle abuse you can pour onto it — all while weighing around a claimed 90g less than the top competing alloy models.