Back in the day, we all rocked 25.4mm diameter handlebars and stems and put up with some flex. Then came OS 31.8 and a boatload of stiffness. Now, Deda Elementi has upped the game with their new M35 handlebar and Trentacinque stem.
Boasting the largest ever handlebar diameter of 35mm, the girth spreads all the way across the flats of the drop-style road handlebar, not just at the clamp area. Weighing in at about 221g for the carbon handlebar, it’s available in 42/44/46 widths with a 130mm drop and 75mm reach.
The 3D forged 2014 alloy stem is available in 90/100/110/120/130 lengths and weighs in about 125g for the 100mm.
Why go so big? Read more for the story…
Both the bar and stem feature varying wall thicknesses. The larger diameter handlebar not only increases rigidity, but Deda says it dramatically reduces vibrations and hand fatigue. In fact, it’s designed to be run without bar tape on the flats, with markings indicating where to start the tape. Internal cable runs with tidy ports keep it clean.
The stem has an 8º rise/drop. Together, Deda says they “give a different and entirely new feel while riding.” They claim the increased rigidity better transfers power to the wheels, losing less to component flex.
The components come in painted red or white or a matte black stem with gloss carbon fiber handlebar.