This lightweight Roval Rapide handlebar adds to their growing component line-up offering a faster aero carbon bar for road riders looking to go fast without compromise. While their debut Alpinist one-piece road cockpit hit the low weight checkmark, its super high price and lack of adjustability made it a non-starter for most roadies. Now at half the price, this WorldTour-proven bar promises reduced aero drag at a weight lighter than many conventional rounds carbon bars.
Roval Rapide aero carbon handlebar – more rapid, less weight
The Rapide handlebar was a simple enough project for Roval. Taking advantage of access to Specialized’s in-house Win Tunnel wind tunnel, the Roval team set out to make a fast airfoil shape for their new compact carbon road bar.
How much faster is the new aero handlebar?
Roval vaguely claims that their Win Tunnel work saves 20 seconds over a conventional round bar in the course of a road race, without any more detail. They did work with the pros of Deceuninck–Quick-Step though to settle on the shape & ergonomics of the new Rapide bar. And that seems to have delivered solid results already. Together Mark Cavendish and Sam Bennett have already chalked up ten individual stage race wins this season on the new bar.
Tech details
The aero tops of the bar sweep slightly forward to allow more space for the rider’s arms & legs in the sprint. The carbon tops also feature a unique textured surface for grip even when wet without bar tape. There’s also a molded-in step to the bar just after the bend for a flush finish to your wrap job & smooth transition from tape to the unwrapped tops, plus full internal cable routing & Di2 junction box compatibility.
Roval Rapide light aero bar – Pricing, options & availability
Other new Roval gravel & mountain bike wheels, plus new gravel dropbar…
