The new Coefficient Wave RR handlebar takes its shaping to extremes to produce a more comfortable bar that puts you in a more ergonomic, aerodynamic position.
Called Swope, the Wave RR (for “Road Race”) handlebar uses a riser shape that then slopes downward to the hoods. That, plus thumb grooves and palm recesses throughout provide a plethora of hand positions that are among the most comfortable I’ve ever found on a handlebar. First up, tech specs and details, then my first impressions…
Coefficient RR tech details
The RR uses a unique shape all over, but most noticeable from the top is the integrated computer mount bridge. This isn’t just a very fancy, overwrought way to hold your GPS cycling computer, though. It’s there to provide a platform for your thumbs to wrap around while your palm rests on the rise to either side of the stem’s mounting point.
From there, the tops slope down and angle back, giving you an ergonomically correct angle that has the dual benefit of positioning your arms in a narrow, more aerodynamic position.
They say it also puts your shoulders in an optimal position and improves core stability and breathing mechanics. All this because you’re hands and arms are more relaxed by being better aligned.
Get to the bends, and the bar is formed to provide an extremely comfortable perch for your palms and thumb. It’s designed to run the cables, wires and hoses internally…more on that below.
The drops use a compound curve design that’s fairly common, but add an indent for your thumb that provides a surprisingly useful little perch.
Basic specs and measurements are the same across all widths (38/40/42/44), with a few size-specific ones. Here’s what’s shared:
- Clamp diameter: 31.8mm
- Drop: 127mm
- Reach: 77mm
- Slope: 12º
- Sweep: 16º
- Flare: 7º
- Stem-to-Computer (center to center): 87mm
- Clamp area width: 56mm
The width of the aero tops vary by size, measuring 43mm, 45mm, 47mm and 49mm as bar widths go up. Weights range from 310g up to 325g.
Above, my 42cm bar weighed in at 327g with the cable sleeves still in it (bars shipped with these pre-installed to assist with internal routing)…so, it’ll drop a gram or two with those removed.
Coefficient Wave RR first impressions
You’ll notice that I did not run my brake lines inside the bar, and that’s because early inventory of the Wave RR was limited to 42cm wide bars. They come in 38, 40, 42 and 44 cm widths, and I’d typically want the 44. But I also wanted to test it prior to launch, so I’m “borrowing” a 42 until the 44 comes in.
As such, and because I didn’t have the spare barbs and small parts to re-do my hydraulic brake install, I kept the brake hoses external. But, honestly, I’d have to take an honest look at how the Wave RR would redirect those hoses anyway.
My Exept road bike puts the ports for anything running internally very low on the head tube, feeding straight into the downtube. Running the brake hose out of the back of the bar (near the stem) would put it in a weird spot to then cross in front of the head tube and into that port.
An alternative would be to use the other ports on the bottom of the flats. These are shown here plugged, and they’re intended for remote switches (like Shimano’s Di2 climber’s buttons and SRAM Blips), but I suspect for some frames, they’ll make a better option for brake hose exits.
We’ll see.
Until then, I’ll ride it like this, and that’s fine.
First impressions are really good. Yes, I feel more aero. But more importantly, I feel much more comfortable.
It didn’t matter where I rested my hands, it felt good. I’m inclined to say it’s the most comfortable handlebar I’ve ever ridden, but I’d like to get the 44cm width in and log more miles and longer days before definitively stating something so bold.
Coefficient says the bars put your hands in the same position as with a normal bar, however I ended up running a 10mm shorter stem and it felt better.
All those bends and angles do raise the question of safety. Coefficient says the bar uses Toray UD fibers throughout, and is tested to ISO standards for road and mountain biking. It feels solid, and seemed to damp road vibration quite well…which may be partly because the bars are further offset from the stem with that forward angle.
Retail is $399 and it comes with one computer mount, but options are available for 10 different GPS cycling computer brands.
There’s even a mount for a GoPro adapter underneath, which works great for lights.
