Syncros is expanding the integrated internal cable routing, one-piece carbon bar & stem cockpit concept to mountain bikes with their latest Fraser iC SL & Hixon iC SL bars. They aren’t the first 1-piece MTB bar+stem combos, not even the first for Syncros. And they don’t get full internal cable routing yet since pretty much only Magura MCi & Dangerholm have tried to route mountain bike brakes inside your bar.
But as more and more XC & trail bikes start to shift cable routing into MTB frames through the headset, these Syncros Fraser & Hixon iC bars start to signal more integration on mountain bikes too…
Syncros Fraser & Hixon iC SL integrated cockpit MTB bars
We first rode Syncros’ new one-piece carbon Fraser iC SL XC integrated handlebar cockpit with its unique internal cable routing stem setup when Scott launched their all-new Spark earlier past summer. Now that cross-country Fraser adds several new mountain bike bar siblings, from World Cup XC to downcountry. Now, there’s even a new pair of Hixon iC SL trail bike bars too, perfect for the new Bold Linkin trail to all-mountain bike.
Tech details – How does it work?
In all, Syncros now has five different one-piece carbon iC SL (super light, integrated cockpit) MTB bar shapes to choose from, for a total of 19 sizes to cover cross-country racing to light all-mountain riding. There are even seven separate alloy XC, DC & AM stems that give you the same routing possibilities with conventional bars.
They all share the same secret – an integrated steerer tube cap, flared covers on both sides of the stem that alloy for cable entry, and integrated steerer tube spacers that split open to guide the cable into your frame in front of/next to/through your headset.
So far, we’ve only seen these new Syncros bars on Scott/Bold family bikes, but they look to be compatible with any mountain bike that combines a 1.125″ upper steerer (the vast majority of suspension forks on the market) and routing through the headset – like the Canyon Exceed or BH Lynx Race, for example.
Syncros Fraser & Hixon iC SL – Sizing, options & pricing
From a cockpit perspective, the result is potentially cleaner internal cable routing. Theoretically, it also means lighter and stronger frames when you don’t have to cut out holes in the head or downtubes to get cables in for internal routing, plus the end of cable rub on your frame.
For the cross/downcountry racer there are the most options. The 350€ Syncros Fraser iC SL bars all feature 6° upsweep and 8° backsweep. Syncros describes the varied combination of virtual stem angle & length as a “new geometry concept” so a rider’s grip height doesn’t change, no matter the length you pick.
The 740mm wide flat bars come in six WC sizes with steeper World Cup fits like Nino, Kate & the Scott SRAM racing pros ride (-40°/80 or 90mm, -30°/90 or 100mm, or -20°/90 or 100mm). Or you can get a less aggressive XC fit in five sizes of the less drop cross-country model (-14°/50mm, -12°/60, -10°/70, -9°/80, -8°/90).
A slightly wider 760mm downcountry mini riser bar version adds 8mm of rise in four DC fits (0°/50, 60, 70, or 80mm).
Trail and All-Mountain riders get a couple of wider options for the same price. The 350€ Syncros Hixon iC SL get the same 6° upsweep, and incrementally less 7° backsweep. A 780mm wide, low-riser trail bar gets 15mm of rise in two sizes (5°/50 or 4°/60mm). The widest 800mm mid-riser bar gets 25mm of rise in two sizes (5°/50 or 4°/60mm).
All feature the same removable stem cover to hide all of your cables, and feature direct-mount bolts under the front of the stem where you can attach a Syncros out-front bracket to mount a GPS, a GoPro action cam, or a headlight for night riding.
Plus, you can use custom-fit Syncros top cap mounts that work with standard cycling computers, or even e-bike displays.
