Home > Bike Types > Road Bike

EB16: Shimano unveils new PRO Stealth saddle, updates Vibe bars & stems

16 Comments
Support us! Bikerumor may earn a small commission from affiliate links in this article. Learn More

PRO-Stealth-carbon_aggressive-geometry-road-timetrial-cutout-saddle_by-Shimano_top

Shimano have worked with their Bikefitting.com specialists and riders at Sky and Giant-Alpecin to update their PRO lineup for 2017. First they are introducing an all new saddle called the Stealth for an aggressive, but all-day fit on road and TT bikes. The Vibe cockpit line also gets some small but welcome real world usability updates in affordable aluminum. While bar shapes remain similar to prior years, the updates accommodate internal routing for cables and/or Di2 wiring, and altogether cleaning up both the aerodynamics and aesthetics of the PRO lineup…

PRO Stealth saddle

PRO-Stealth_aggressive-geometry-road-timetrial-cutout-saddle_by-Shimano_top

The entirely new PRO Stealth saddle is the result of a cooperative effort with the Giant-Alpecin pro team, developed jointly with Bikefitting.com (a Shimano subsidiary). Their testing focused on comfort and performance when riding in any of three typical race positions: the hoods, the drops, and when using aero bars. Shimano says the saddle is designed for an aggressive fit and “all out performance” both on the road and in specific time trials. The idea is that riders with a lot of handlebar drop can use one saddle for both their road and TT bikes.

The unisex saddle gets a wide nose to spread pressure over a broad area while riding in the drops or stretched out over an aero bar, with the thought that by improving comfort, a rider will be able to remain stable and longer in those most aero positions.

PRO-Stealth-carbon_aggressive-geometry-road-timetrial-cutout-saddle_by-Shimano_rear

The new Stealth saddle uses a carbon-reinforced base with a large cutout and cross braces in the base at the rear to maintain rigidity and max out power transfer. With a relatively wide nose, careful attention was apparently paid to the polyurethane cover to limit saddle-to-bib friction so riders used to narrow saddles wouldn’t have problems with chafing.

The underside of the new saddle also includes clip-in integrated mounting for accessories from PRO like a camera mount, number plate, even a raceable fender or CO2 cartridge. The Stealth saddle use EVA padding, and will come in 142mm or 152mm widths with either carbon or stainless steel rails. Weights are claimed at 175g with carbon rails and 210g with stainless rails for the 142mm wide versions.

PRO Vibe bar & stem

PRO-Vibe-Carbon_aero-Di2-integrated-wing-shaped-carbon-road-handlebar-and-stem_by-Shimano_Sky-development

The new integrated Vibe bars and stems got their co-development care of Team Sky. The overall concept there was getting a more integrated setup with better and more sleek fully internal shift routing. What came out was three different aero bars and a new stem designed to pull out a little more of aero advantages (and some headaches from your mechanics) by tucking everything neatly inside.

PRO-Vibe-Carbon_aero-Di2-integrated-wing-shaped-carbon-road-handlebar-and-stem_by-Shimano

That means each bar gets Di2 friendly routing openings just behind the hood and then in the rear of the stem clamp to keep your wiring unseen. The new Vibe bar+stem routing is available across the full PRO line-up and includes both aluminum and carbon bars.

PRO-Vibe-Alloy_aero-Di2-integrated-alloy-road-handlebar_by-Shimano_front

The aluminum bar has the most subtle shaping on offer with a wide round top, and will be available in 38-44cm widths, from 240g. The standard carbon bar shares the same round tubing shapes as the alloy version, and will come in 40-44cm widths, starting a tad lighter at 220g.

PRO-Vibe-Carbon-Aero_aero-Di2-integrated-wing-shaped-carbon-road-handlebar_by-Shimano_front

And aero carbon version will also be available with a wing-shaped top and a narrow lower drop. It will also come in just three sizes from 40-44mm wide and brings the weight back up to 240g. Each of the three new Vibe bars sticks with a 31.8 clamping diameter to make with PRO’s own stems, and will be offered in either anatomic or compact bends.

PRO-Vibe-Carbon_aero-Di2-integrated-wing-shaped-carbon-road-handlebar_by-Shimano_routing-openings PRO-Vibe-Carbon_aero-Di2-integrated-wing-shaped-carbon-road-handlebar_by-Shimano_Innegra-inside-reinfocement

The overriding purpose of the new bars and their internal wiring setup is a cleaner Di2 installation in conjunction with Shimano’s upcoming Di2 bar-end junction box that was announced with their new R9100 Dura-Ace groupset. To make all of this work without worrying about weakening the bars, PRO has developed a new reinforcement design at the extra openings in the bars that they are calling INNEGRA inside.

PRO-Vibe-aero-alloy-road-stem_by-Shimano_angled

Of course to make it all come together PRO has a new matching Vibe alloy stem to grab ahold of the new bars. That means in the meantime, Di2 users will also be able to install their current generation Di2 junction boxes either inside the body of the new stem or in their steerer tube for charging access.

PRO-Vibe-aero-alloy-road-stem_by-Shimano_top

The new stems do away with the prior interlocking faceplate design and instead opt for a more conventional 4-bolt face, albeit with some hard to reach rear-facing bolts for some claimed aero benefit. The Vibe stems will be available in aluminum only for use with 31.8 bars. Lengths will range from 80-140mm in either 10° or 17° angles, and each will include a proprietary top cap. Steerer clamps will be offered in either 1.125″ or 1.25″.

All of the new PRO components (saddle, bars & stems) will be making their way out to distributors in the coming month for autumn customer availability.

PRO-bikegear.com

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

16 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Chefdog
Chefdog
7 years ago

I really like the idea of hiding the A-Junction box, but how does one access the charging port and adjustment buttons if it is in the stem? Also, you still want to see the battery light. I think I will wait for the new bar end A-junction coming out with the next DA group.

Harold
Harold
7 years ago
Reply to  Chefdog

That’s a good question and well asked. I too would like to know.

Paul S.
Paul S.
7 years ago
Reply to  Harold

I think it would rely on the DFly wireless adjustments. Not 100% sure on that though.

JimH
JimH
7 years ago
Reply to  Chefdog

The newly released Di2 kit includes a charging port/bar end plug as an optional(?) accessory.

John
John
7 years ago
Reply to  Chefdog

The charging port is tucked away in one of the bar ends.

I thought mounting the SM-EW90 underneath the seat was ingenious, but putting its replacement in the bar end takes the cake.

John
John
7 years ago
Reply to  Chefdog

FYI, the part number for the new two-port bar end “junction box” is EW-RS910, it has a sealed charging port at the top, two status lights on the sides and a select button on bottom, if i can link to a URL in the comments:

media.dcrainmaker.com/images/2016/06/DSC_3726_thumb.jpg

There is also going to be a more standard three-port junction box like the old EW-90A, which I haven’t seen yet.

tyler
7 years ago

why is shimano so spotty with meaningful specs. hbar reach plz? stem weights?

Roborbob
Roborbob
7 years ago
Reply to  tyler

+1 on the desire for reach/drop specs. I run a Pro Tharsis with internal A junction, but opted for another brand’s compact bars because I couldn’t find info. Yes, the light is concealed but I charge it every month or so to top off the battery. Non-issue. Would love to route the wires internally as well.

Kai
Kai
7 years ago

What’s the benefit of narrower drops? Is it comfortable? Looks weird.
Garmin mount options for that stem and aero-bar combo?
Yay for 1.25″ steerer clamp option.

Robin
Robin
7 years ago
Reply to  Kai

Narrower drops are supposed to offer reduced aero drag compared to wider drops.

typevertigo
typevertigo
7 years ago

The stem faceplate bolts are going to be hard to tighten with a torque wrench head, I reckon. It’s nicely aero and all, but perhaps PRO/Shimano could have canted the bolts slightly outward for easier tool access?

Ash
Ash
7 years ago

New saddle copy of specialized power saddle.

MK
MK
7 years ago
Reply to  Ash

Not surprising since they copied the Romin in an earlier saddle.

Rick
Rick
7 years ago

anyone know why the stem doesnt use the puzzle clamp anymore? did they have any issues with that?

codevader
codevader
7 years ago

Innegra is a carbon reinforcement (http://www.innegratech.com/fibers). In standup paddling some manufacturers use it to reinforce the board rails.

Les Akins
Les Akins
7 years ago

Seeking confirmation that this stem will be offered in +/- 17 degree and 1.25″ please.

Cheers.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.

Subscribe Now

Sign up to receive BikeRumor content direct to your inbox.