Deda Vinci steps up their hidden cabling and integrated cockpit game, bringing all the aero benefits of a one-piece road bar & stem combo, yet still retaining adjustability. Like the integrated Alanera that we saw a couple years back, this separate new road bike bar & stem get sleek looks and even sleeker cable routing, plus a new DCR headset that gives both that earlier Alanera and this new Vinci the option to keep routing completely internal from the bar all the way to the brakes & derailleurs.
Deda Elementi Vinci hidden cable aero bar & stem system
At first glance, it’s easy to mistake the new Deda Elementi Vinci cockpit for a more integrated setup. With no forward-facing stem bolts and the aero non-round profile shared by the bar & stem, it’s not immediately obvious that this is a fully adjustable combination that hides a regular 31.8mm round bar clamping area inside.
Deda Elementi Vinci semi-integrated road bike stem
But the trick is the shape of bar & stem are matching, but the clamping surface itself is still round. At the heart of it, the Deda Vinci stem is actually pretty conventional. But it just happens to be the first Deda stem to be designed to allow for a fully integrated, internal cable routing setup when used with the appropriate DCR bar & headset.
That works thanks to the standard opening at the bar clamp, plus a channel in front of the steerer tube where brake & shift housing can pass down into the special spacers before entering the headset.
The -17° Vinci stem is 3D forged from 2014 alloy, and gets a 31.8mm bar clamp and 1.25″ steerer tube clamp, that also includes an adapter to fit more common 1.125″ steerers. It has a 40mm stack, including the upper DCR headset cap/spacer needed for the internal routing installation. Matching spacers for internal cable routing also come in 2.5, 5 & 10mm heights. The black stem with polished black graphics is available in 90-140mm lengths in 10mm increments, with a claimed weight of 190g (110mm).
Deda Elementi DCR headset for internal cable routing
To make the semi-integrated Vinci stem work with fully internal cable routing, you need the special DCR headset. The name comes from Deda Cable Routing, and allows for complete internal routing of up to 4 cables (mechanical or electronic shift, mechanical or hydraulic brakes) when combined with a Vinci or Alanera cockpit.
The DCR headset requires a headtube suitable for a straight 1.5″ steerer, which essentially means it needs an internal headset bearing seats of about 52mm/2″, so the frame must be designed for this system from the start. Tapering that down to a 1 1/8″ tapered steerer tub on the fork allows room for the cables to enter the frame before they would get routed directly into the inside of the downtube or into a hole into the inside of the fork steerer.
Special spacers are available that split open, so they can be added or removed to dial in fit without having to remove the internally routed cables (assuming enough cable slack and no need to cut the steerer.)
Deda Elementi Vinci semi-integrated road bike carbon handlebar
The Vinci stem and DCR headset can be set up with internal routing using many standard bars, but it is the carbon Vinci bar that completes the semi-integrated look perfectly. The secret there is that the tops of the bar share the same triangular profile that balances aerodynamics and ergonomics for a clean complete system look.
Closing out the space between bar top and stem are a couple of removable “handlebar foil” composite spacers – to complete the seamlessly integrated look. The idea here is that they can be removed to allow the use of Deda’s clip-on Superzero aero bars, or potentially other 31.8mm accessories. Of course, the bar is compatible with internal cable routing and has cable ports for Campagnolo EPS & Shimano Di2 controllers, as well.
The bar features:
- 75mm reach
- 130mm drop
- available in 40, 42, 44 & 46cm widths
The 205g carbon bar (42cm) gets shaped drops as well in what Deda calls RHM – rapid hand movement – for improved comfort & control in all hand positions. Together with the Vinci stem it shares the same matte black finish, with gloss polished black detailing.
The Vinci bar & stem are designed & optimized for full internal cable routing when used with the DCR headset and a compatible bike frame. But for frames without compatible headset dimensions, you can still get the semi integrated look and feel, since the Vinci bar also includes more traditional cable routing ports on the underside of the bar to route cables conventionally to your frame.
Deda Vinci – Pricing & Availability
The new Deda Elementi Vinci setup is available now to build a clean road bike setup. The alloy Deda Vinci 73° stem retails for 110€ in six lengths. The UD carbon Deda Vinci aero handlebar retails for 260€ in four sizes. And the Deda DCR integrated headset sells for 50€. We’ve seen a few bikes already made for the internally routed setup, like the T&K titanium bikes above, and a new custom Italian steel bike we expect to be launched in the next week or so.
Update… that custom steel bike is here: Battaglin Power+ EVO crafts first steel road bike with completely hidden internal routing.
