Originally masterminded as a carbon complete handlebar, stem & aero bar system, the Culprit Covert Ops cockpit kit has been refined to completely hide your cables, wires and junction boxes with any road handlebar. And, for triathletes and time trialists, offer a widely adjustable, easily removable aero extension setup to reduce packing and travel headaches.
The Covert Op aero stem starts with a more aerodynamic nose cone and very flat shape. It further reduces frontal area and drag by sending the cables or wires directly from the bar into the stem. A removable cover lets you easily route everything, and hide/access a Di2 or EPS junction box. Because it’s designed to work with any frame and handlebar, it has to send the cables somewhere, so there’s an exit port off the back, just above the steerer cap. Depending on your particular frame’s cable stop placement, your results may vary, but for electronically shifted bikes, it should keep a lot of things out of the wind.
Small holes provide either side or top access to the Di2 junction box function button, so no need to remove the cover to adjust it, but you will to charge it.
Another feature is the built-in cable stop, which eliminates any hanger needed for center-pull aero brakes (commonly found on triathlon bikes). All that’s seen is the brake cable, minimizing clutter and drag.
Specs include 31.8 bar clamp diameter, 1.25″ steerer diameter with included 1.125″ adapter shim (so it’ll fit Giant and other oversized steerer tubes as well as regular), 90/100/110/120mm lengths, forged & CNC’d 6061 T6 alloy body with a composite cover, and claimed weight around 340-370g. Retail will be $110, but they’re offering it on IndieGoGo for $60 (campaign video at bottom of post).
Available separately is their easy on/easy off aero bar attachment system. The extensions have a massive range of adjustability, going from flat up to 80mm stack, and almost 120cm max reach from the pads. Add in width adjustments and you have 1,632 claimed combinations…more if you consider the four different stem lengths.
What sets the design apart is the bar clamp mounts, which you install once and leave on the bike. Then bolt the extensions to those when you want them, and easily remove each side with a single bolt when you don’t. Adjustments are also easy, with laser etched marks showing the angles, and similar marks showing the lengths on the extensions.
These will come in alloy (365mm length, 630-660g) and carbon (384mmlength, 620-650g). Retail is set at $110, with early bird deals of $90.
Last up in the program is their saddle bag tool kit with a complete socket set (2/2.5/3/4/5/6/8/T10/T15/T25/Slot 2/PH 2) and mini socket wrench, mini torque wrench, patch kit, chain breaker with spoke tool, tire levers, Co2 chuck, and internal organization for two CO2 cartridges (not included). There’s also room for a standard tube inside, and it’ll allow for a small pump to slide in and hold in place when strapped to the saddle. It comes altogether for $100, or $65 during the crowdfunding campaign.
Check out the campaign to get yours.
