Loaded Precision’s Napalm Road Handlebar Hits the Tarmac

Written by Saris Mercanti Sep 26, 2014 8:31 p.m. ET

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Loaded Precision strives to produce the lightest weight components possible. They’ve been dedicated to mountain bike products for a number of years, but their new line of Napalm Carbon Drop Handlebars are their first venture into the road scene.

The new bars utilize a one-piece, one-pass layup technique, and high-grade carbon to produce an extremely light weight but strong handlebar. The new handlebar is available in 40, 42, and 44 cm widths, has a 78mm reach, and 125 mm of drop. The bars have a 31.8 c clam diameter and a very low claimed weight of 180g. Retail is set at $318.99.

Saris Mercanti

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SPCMike

9 years ago

wow..a carbon handlebar.

Ronin

9 years ago

Napalm is a mixture of a thickening/gelling agent and petroleum or a similar fuel for use in an incendiary device. It was initially used against buildings, and later was used primarily as an anti-personnel weapon that sticks to skin and causes severe burns when on fire.

I’m the first to admit I’m a bit slow, so can someone point out the connection of Napalm to a road bike handlebar?

Ronin

9 years ago

No, I get now. Use this bar, and it’s gonna fail, the subsequent road rash will look like you’ve been Napalm-ed. Now I get it…

Looks like a nice bar though…

Nerf

9 years ago

As part of the moulding process they use a foam core which then melts into the layup … Thus the napalm tag. Their carbon bars for MTB have been around for about 1.5 seasons I think.

Antipodean_G

9 years ago

Napalm. I get wanting to be edgy and all that….but napalm?

Antipodean_G

9 years ago

PS: And yes, we have used some rather obscure ‘military names’ for products in the past but pulled them all, especially considering the world of the past few years.

Gary

9 years ago

The name is in very poor taste. Everyone in this company must be too young to remember the Viet Nam war.

michael

9 years ago

Dropping the IED stem next?

r3a

9 years ago

Logos designed by the cast of the Jersey Shore

douger

9 years ago

too soon on the name….I guessing this bar is made in Asia ? you may want to re-think the name…agreed that this is highly insensitive

LawyerKnowItAll

9 years ago

If you are offended by the name of the bar, you have way too little to worry about.

Big mike

9 years ago

Over $300 for a bar that is only 30 grams lighter than Ritcheys WCS alloy bar that retails for $99. I know 30 grams is 30 grams but proportionally should it not go for say$125? One seventh more expensive for one eleventh more money.

James

9 years ago

The ritcheylogic alloy bars are nearly 80 grams heavier and you have to go all the way to the super logic bar to get within 20 grams at 319 dollars. Looks like it is pretty much on par with other high end bars.

Gary

9 years ago

Mr. Know It All (except, apparently, U.S. history):

http://www.npr.org/2012/06/03/154234617/napalm-girl-an-iconic-image-of-war-turns-40

PartyTime

9 years ago

They should update their logo. I have loved their anodized parts but the logo reminds me too much of “Affliction” t-shirts.

Big mike

9 years ago

The ritchey bars weigh in at 211 grams

Ligheweight

9 years ago

Yawn. Claimed weight of 180g.

MCFK makes some of the lightest weight components around. 157g for 42cm bars. 31.8 offset seatposts starting at 105g. German Engineering at its finest. You’ll pay for it!

gFunk

9 years ago

I’ve been using Loaded components for years and they are very well made. The name is not all that cool, but ‘insensitive?’…. psshhhh… I’m sure no one is going to shed a tear over an obscure handlebar.