Wren Perseverance Handlebar Evaluate: Funky Journey Bar

compose Miles Arbour
time Jul 14, 2022
remark 18

Alt bars for bikepacking that provide a number of hand positions and different options aren’t something new, and types akin to Redshift, Farr, and Jones are among the many most recognizable and broadly used. California-based Wren Sports activities, greatest recognized for his or her inverted suspension forks, entered the journey handlebar sport final fall in an enormous means with the Perseverance Bar.

Described as a “cockpit you may reside out of,” the Wren Perseverance Bar is a mix of a reasonably run-of-the-mill flat mountain bike handlebar with the addition of an enormous aero loop out entrance. As they put it, “Your cockpit is your private home whenever you’re out on huge rides. It is a cockpit designed to reside in, day-in, and day-out. Whereas there are a number of funky bars on the market, we’ve discovered all of them to be missing in a method or one other: an excessive amount of backsweep with loops which are too small and restricted in performance.” The large aero loop and traditional bar specs make for a novel choice for anybody wanting so as to add some versatility and hand positions to their present rig.

By The Numbers

As talked about above, the flat portion of the Perseverance Bar is definitely based mostly round a reasonably typical form. It has an affordable 780mm width, 25mm rise, and a 16° backsweep that is a bit more relaxed than inventory mountain bike bars, however not practically as swept again because the Jones bars, Surly Moloko bars, or Velo Orange Loopy Bars—that are all 35° or extra. The closest comparability I discovered was the Hobo Loop Handlebar from UK-based Brick Lane Bikes with its 15° backsweep, 760mm width, and mid-sized entrance loop.

The actual kicker is that big aero loop. At 300mm vast by 250mm lengthy, the aero loop is the largest we’ve seen supplied in an all-in-one handlebar. The nostril of the loop tapers collectively and has a 70mm rise to supply a snug angle on your wrists and helps get any equipment mounted out entrance up excessive above any baggage strapped beneath. All of this additional steel comes with a weight penalty, although, and at 754 grams, it’s a reasonably hefty handlebar. To supply some comparisons, the Chromoly metal Surly Mokolo Bar weighs 709g and the butted aluminum Jones H-Bar weighs 525g.

The Journey Bar

Though it’d look slightly wild, Wren’s self-proclaimed “journey bar” makes for a straightforward improve to most path bikes with vast, flat bars. Due to its extra conservative sweep, it doesn’t alter the using place in an enormous means, as some big-sweep bars do. Whereas I acknowledge the worth of handlebars with plenty of backsweep, I favor the soundness and management supplied by a extra conventional bar when using technical terrain. This is among the foremost the explanation why I don’t discover myself utilizing swept bars just like the Jones H-Bar in my on a regular basis using. The 16° and 25mm rise deliver issues again and up simply sufficient to create a snug perch for long-distance, multi-day rides with out inhibiting management on tight and steep trails. I’ve additionally discovered these specs to work higher with conventional bar ends, ergo grips, and different equipment that don’t at all times mesh properly with massively swept bars.

When put in, the Perseverance Bar gives a number of hand positions that aren’t accessible on a traditional bar. Apart from holding onto your grips, there’s sufficient room between the controls and the bottom of the aero loop for a slim, upright maintain that might simply be wrapped with bar tape for extra consolation. The aero loop itself gives a couple of positions as properly, from a fully-tucked fingers on the nostril place to a semi-tucked place nearer to the bottom of the loop. The loop is vast sufficient to supply sufficient management on gravel roads and certain not fairly as international feeling as a devoted aero bar setup.

As anticipated, the Perseverance Bar feels proper at house on bikes with vast, frivolously swept bars. The 780mm width is vast sufficient for many of us, particularly whereas bikepacking, and the specs align properly with fashionable path bikes with quick stems and progressive geometry. I put in the bars on a number of completely different mountain bikes, all with fashionable geo that includes lengthy front-ends, and the usual hand place at all times felt pure and cozy.

Even by the entrance aero loop isn’t technically in the way in which, it’s considerably distracting and wouldn’t be my first selection for day rides with out being loaded up with gear. The loop is helpful for including new hand positions, together with a barely tucked aero place, however when you’re not utilizing it, it’s an eye fixed sore. In spite of everything, it’s an enormous loop. With my fingers out on the finish of the loop and my forearms resting towards the flat part of the bar, I wanted I had some correct padded forearm rests. Fortunately, Wren will probably be providing these quickly as an add-on. As somebody who doesn’t wish to be in a full tuck aero place, I discovered holding onto the center of the loop essentially the most comfy and secure (see the primary picture beneath). Regardless of the place you select to place your fingers, the Perseverance Bar provides the choice for various levels of aero-like using positions with out sacrificing the management and leverage afforded by less-alternative handlebars.

Who’s It For?

Whereas I agree with Wren’s opinion that aero bars aren’t only for these trying to set quickest recognized instances, there’s no query that the Perseverance Bar is a number of bar. In my thoughts, it’s greatest fitted to expedition fashion touring and bikepacking the place the added versatility of its huge entrance loop could be actually appreciated. I don’t assume day rides and native overnighters will actually topic the bar to its full potential.

I think about these most within the bar will see the worth of mounting a entrance gentle up an excessive of their handlebar bag, predict to sort out lengthy days on tough terrain the place having a number of hand positions is important, and may mess around with a tucked place on easy, non-technical surfaces. In contrast to many of the elements we overview right here on the location, it’s exhausting to think about the Perseverance Bar staying on my bikes between huge journeys, and is as an alternative one thing I’d pull out in preparation for one thing epic.

• Materials: 6061 Aluminum
• Width: 780mm
• Backsweep: 16°
• Upsweep: 5°
• Rise: 25mm
• Loop Dimension: 300 x 250mm
• Stem Clamp: 31.8mm
• Weight: 754 grams
• Place of Manufacture: Taiwan
• End: Anodized Gold/Bronze
• Value: $149 USD
• Producer’s Particulars: WrenSports.com

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