Recently, while agonizing this way and that over replacing the handlebar on my 2022 Propel,
I decided to go with a one-piece handlebar that routes the cables above the stem, so I bought one.
In case there are others with similar reasons, or who are simply curious about carbon handlebars, I am leaving a review.
1. Reason for purchase
I had heard that AliExpress handlebars are decent in quality these days, and the price point was the biggest draw,
and since this brand puts out a variety of handlebars, I figured the quality would be reasonable, so I bought it.
I looked up reviews too, and they were full of hard-to-believe claims that it is fine, but I decided to take the risk
and bought kocevlo's knockoff of the Shimano PRO Vibe Evo handlebar, at about 1/9 the price of the original.
2. Product review
1) Finish
a). Quality
I do not have photos, but as in the pictures others often post, looking at the drop ends of the handlebar the thickness is not uniform.
While routing, it also feels like something catches inside, and with burrs visible here and there, the finish is not smooth but crude.
Unlike the original, the screws that clamp onto the steering tube tighten from both sides. The original has a threaded hole for the screw
built into the inside of the handlebar, with the screw driven in only from the left, but this model instead uses a female/male screw pair on both the left and right
sides. When tightening the screw it feels like it spins a little uselessly, which I did not care for.
b) Included items
Unlike the original, the sticker applied to the top part has an adhesive like double-sided tape, so if you stick it on and peel it off a lot of residue is left.
The original apparently comes with it already attached, but this one gives it separately. Of course, attaching it was not difficult.
The feel was not bad, but it did not seem to prevent slipping well, so I preferred bar tape.
The included handlebar mount was, as I feared, very vulnerable to vibration. When I mounted a light the vibration was so severe
that it was embarrassing in front of passersby.
The genuine article has an angle-adjustment shim in its base kit, but that was not included.
2) Feel while riding
I fitted it to the Propel and did a test ride of about 20km. At first I did not notice, but when I danced out of the saddle and pushed hard, it does not break, yet
I felt that the flex is severe. I understand the Shimano PRO Vibe Evo is originally a very stiff handlebar,
but by feel it bends at least 2cm~3cm. When I asked gpt, it said that is not a good sign.
I already knew about issues like the finish, and being easygoing enough to think looks are fine as long as it tastes good, I meant to just use it,
but once a safety-related problem came up it was hard to accept, so in the end I decided to send it back.
Looking on the bright side, it makes it easy to find your handlebar size and was worth a taste to see what size the original is, but
as expected of a mainland product, there is no guarantee of safety, so it was a very worrying handlebar.
If you are going to get a handlebar on AliExpress, I think it is better to think twice about knockoffs that have an original.
Places that produce their own without an original and even do quality inspection seem fine, but they will not fit my Propel....
Fortunately I found a good listing on Danggeun, so I am going to go with the original.
Thank you for reading this long and rambling post. If someone weighing a knockoff handlebar like me reads it, I hope it helps.
