Product Review: Deda Elementi Zero100 Road Handlebar - Black

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Zero100 handlebar with innovative RHM shape; The very same advantages as the Deda Elemnti Presa handlebar, manufactured in strong 7075 T6 triple butted alloy.

Features:

Shape: RHM
Width: 40 – 42 – 44 – 46cm (outside to outside)
Clamp diameter: 31.7mm
Weight: 248 grams (42cm)

Deda Zero 100 Handlebar Review:

The Deda Elementi Zero 100 Handlebar, a name that reminds you of the Katana, a super sharp Japanese sword. Nominated after the notorious Italian aerodynamicist that developed the legendary AG2R team bike, the D2, the Deda Elementi Zero 100 Handlebar is one mean visual machine. There are critics that say it’s irrelevant for the self confessed “aero-geeks out there” as the 2017 Deda Elementi Zero 100 does not include an integrated bar/stem combo. The ones that would spend forever looking for the perfect stem to achieve that perfect combination of aero efficiency with the perfect position.

We are not “aero-geeks” and I find myself immediately drawn to the Deda Elementi Zero 100 Handlebar. The D2 was a unique bike and a stunning looking bike. This bar has a very similar look to the D2, which is no surprise as the designers of the Deda Elementi Zero 100 had access to the D2 bike when designing this handlebar. There is no doubt the Deda Elementi Zero 100 Handlebar was designed for looks, but there is more than just the looks. There is certainly some aero advantage to such a unique looking bar. The F1 teams created their own bars in the 1990’s so we are not talking about a new concept here.

On the road, the first thing you notice is the positioning and the width of the bars. As a rider that rides on the hoods, the bar was a bit wide for me. The same applies if you like riding more on the tops. The Deda Elementi Zero 100 is certainly a bar to ride on the hoods. The width of the bar is such that it is best suited to a rider that uses the drops more frequently. There are fans of this type of bar, I know because I was there once. I recently went back to using the drops instead of the hoods on my bike and after riding this bar for a while, it reinforced the benefits of riding on the drops. The drops provide better steering leverage towards the front wheel. This is a big advantage for outright speed and when cornering. The width of the bar makes it more stable for out of the saddle climbing.

The width of the bar suits Descending. The width of the bar has a stabilizing effect. There is more surface area in contact with the back of the hand, which provides additional grip and control. Especially in the wet, when the descents are at their most treacherous.

As a rider who grew up riding Ovalbac and Chiaro handlebars, the Deda Elementi Zero 100 is an invitation to ride on the hoods. It is a pleasure to sail down the road or down the mountains on the Deda Elementi Zero 100. The center section of the bar is very comfortable to rest the forearms on, especially when climbing. This may seem inconsequential, but it makes the Deda Elementi Zero 100 a very comfortable bar to ride with.

The large surface area of the Deda Elementi Zero 100 has the effect of moving your hands further apart, which must have effect on your body position. It made my riding very upright and I found I needed to tilt my head forward slightly to be able to look ahead. This is a feedback point I got from a few other riders who liked the Deda Elementi Zero 100. They found that it made them a bit more upright and the handlebar did not allow for the normal forward slant of the head.

I was riding with Shimano DI2 and I also use Shimano Ultegra Di2 myself and I do find that the brifters on the Shimano Di2s are a bit narrower than Ultegra or Dura Ace. They are a fraction smaller, but on a bar that is already a bit wider than others, it does feel a bit cramped. It was not a big issue, but you do feel the width of the bar. Of course you could run the Di2 on the top or the hood of the bar, where the space is less of an issue, but in my riding, I like to use the drops and I found the Di2 was a bit awkward on the Deda Elementi Zero 100. The Shimano Di2 is designed for a more natural look than the toothed front derraileur and in competition with mechanical groups it is narrower than the Campy mechanical and electronic groups. All in all, I think the Deda Elementi Zero 100 would suit the Campy groups better than the Shimano groups.

The material used for the Deda Elementi Zero 100 is 7075 T6 triple butted aluminium. 7075 aluminium was developed and introduced in 1975. 7075 is a high strength aluminium alloy, with better fatigue properties and is very resistant to corrosion. For the cycling industry 7075 is a popular choice for the frame tubes, seat posts, pedals, cranks and now Deda Elementi Zero 100 handlebars. The tolerance is very fine and this bar is built to perform.

I have ridden Deda Elementi handlebars in the past and found they were excellent value for money. I remembered the satisfaction I got from buying a 7075 T6 handlebar with a red finish. I bought a Deda Elementi Zero 100 Handlebar with a black finish. It’s a good looking handlebar, the red or black finish is outstanding. The surfaces of the Deda Elementi Zero 100 are matte, it’s not a glossy finish, which has the benefit of resisting dirt, dust and rain.

The Deda Elementi Zero 100 is a handlebar that will appeal to some and not to others. The look of the handlebar is definitely modern, in the best sense of the word. It’s aggressive, sculptural, even aggressive and stunning to look at, but more than that there is practicality in its design. You are separated from the drops on a road bike by an expanse of bar. This bar does not have that gap, which makes for a comfortable and a more aggressive riding position, especially for descents. The width of the bar gives you a bit more grip and control. As an all round bar, the Deda Elementi Zero 100 is a lovely bar to ride.

While there are riders who will criticize the Deda Elementi Zero 100 Handlebar as being too wide, there are riders that will appreciate the width of the bar and the control it brings to the overall ride. The Deda Elementi Zero 100 handlebar deserves a big compliment for not following the current trend of putting narrow profile handlebars on road bikes.