Cinelli innovations in the field of integrated handlebars continue: after Integralter, here is Ram. Fully produced in carbon fibre, monocoque body, with an exclusive moulding technology, in high-pressure autoclave, stiff and resistant, Ram is the latest revolution. The main support plan, as Integralter, is in wing section with the characteristic drop profile improving the hand gripping. Its sinous shape has not only been due to the aesthetic sense, but also to ergonomics: the front V allows grasping to Ram when leading on the slopes or in spurts. With its side high hand position, this handlebar has been expressly conceived to accompany perfectly the thumb and the palm in their grasping. The passage of cables is inside and the handle configuration and inclination allow a good approach to the brake lever. In addition to that , the fork tube closure is very good, thanks to the insertion of a clutch in light alloy. Ram is a very sophisticated product combining ergonomics, super lightness and comfort with competitive spirit.
Weaknesses: The problem with the Ram is the openings for cable housings are one-half the size required. The result is pinched cables that are too tight and refuse to operate correctly.
Bottom Line:
Yes--it's beautiful. Light and lustrous finish is absolutely sexy. But, have you actually attempted to instal a Cinelli Ram? Well, I have. And, I can report it's almost impossible to get it set up correctly.
Strengths: The looks, road feel, performance, and oh yeah, the looks!
Weaknesses: The computer mount is a little on the flimsy side, which is why my Garmin is mounted on the stem. Also, there is a fine line between the computer mount bolts being too loose or stripped. Remember that the threads in the bar are carbon so go easy on them. I only use the mount for a light when I ride in the fall and winter. Also, the wing like shape comprising the top of the bar is a little uncomfortable on my thumbs. I wish there were a small recess on the trailing edge where my thumb could sit more comfortably. Admittedly, this is a small quibble and may be limited to my particular experience.
Bottom Line:
This review refers to the Ram 2 (Bianca) bar, which from what I can tell is the same shape as the Ram just different in color. I love this bar. I wanted something to match my bike which the Ram 2 does perfectly, but it is also a work of art to look at. The lines are beautiful and sweeping yet functional. I’ve never noticed any flex when climbing or sprinting, but then again I weigh 155 lbs wet so I’m probably not the best one to speak about this particular issue. They also suck up road buzz which is a plus because you won’t want to wrap the tops of these babies. Covering the tops with bar tape would be the equivalent of pasting a child’s finger painting over the Mona Lisa. That said I like a glove with a little padding to go with these bars. The finish seems top notch and I have never experienced the problems that other users have. The bike shop said they had never seen any issues on the finish either. I even have my Garmin wire tied around the stem and it hasn’t damaged the finish to any appreciable degree. I also love how the bars are designed with the little details in all the right areas to make nearly every hand position comfortable. All in all, these are wonderful, elegant bars: a purchase that I have never regretted.
Weaknesses: finish is CRAP to say the least. Paid $200 CDN so I can't complain.
Bottom Line:
I have always lusted for a Ram and spoiled myself this season getting one. Looks uber cool, rides real nice - absorbes road vibrations and is super comfy on the tops. Installation was a tad annoying but well worth it in terms of aesthetics. My problem with the bar is that ALL OF THE STICKERS PEELED OFF AND THE CLEARCOAT DISSOLVED AFTER 2 MONTHS. No good. I was my rig routinely and keep it looking tip top so I am gutted at how poor the quality of the finish is on these bars. Have talked to Cinelli direct and they want me to send the bar back to Italy for inspection... I can't decide if I'd rather keep it, wet sand the crap out of it and get it custom painted and cleared properly. verdict is still out... NOT WORTH 5 bills, glad I work in a shop and got it on clearout...
Strengths: - good looking
- very comfy for your hands
- filters a lot of the road (again extra comfy)
- good (not great) lateral stiffnes
Weaknesses: - holes for cable routing need to be placed up higher
- won't make your bike any lighter
- very expensive, isn't worth 500$ , it is more a 300$ bar to me
- paint finish could be better
Bottom Line:
This bar is one piece of art, it looks like a piece of art and it feels like a piece of art, but if it is practical is something else .
Installing, offcourse you won't do this every day, but still it does take some time.
For a campy rider, the cable routing is actualy a problem, you can't put the shifters like you want to because the hole for cable routing is placed to low , you need to make this hole a bit bigger, en while pulling the cable hard push the shifter upwards, then it stands a bit normal .
About the cable routing itself, the outgoing hole should also be bigger, it is to small for two cables, still, here is a trick, push in the inner cable first,then pull it out with a pincher, then pull the whole thing true it.
once it is installed, then you have it, it looks very good, the upper bar is extremely omfy for you , ideal for lond durance riding , no sleeping fingers, hands, whatever, very nice indeed . The bar is also very flexy verticaly, I don't see this as a bad thing because it filters out many and gives you extra comfort. lateral stiffnis could be better but it is good, stiffness in the drops could also be better, but it is certainly not bad like some say here.
I bought this bar second hands for 250$ , and I wouldn't pay more for it, it is a very nice piece of work, but it certainly isn't worth 500$ or more , also for that price the paint finish isn't uber.
Strengths: 1. Very stiff, and Stiff "enough"!
2. Probably one of the most exquisite looking bicycle components on the market.
3.Great innovation of the cyclometer mount, works very effectively.
4.Nicely finished - so far.
5. Nice cable routing system
6. Leavers sit very well in terms of position for hand placement.
Weaknesses: 1. Bar ends need to be rounder,and refined to accept bar end plugs better.
2. Area around head set binder bolt needs to be refined by recessing steerer tube tightening bolts and smoothing off angular edges of upper stem around head set binder bolt.
3. Due to integrated stem/handlebar combination, some riders may not like the fixed anatomical design.
4. Pricey, but hey its a top of the line Italian bicycle component made from state of the art ingredients and, well, thats it!
Bottom Line:
Since purchasing this product I find myself debating its strengths and weaknesses. I should begin by saying that when I set out to build my bike (described below) I really wanted a completely traditional road bike circa late 1980's, with steel frame, steel fork and Cinelli X1 alloy stem with either Crit. or Giro bars. Such is the case that technology marches slowly on and not even on ebay could I find those traditional Cinelli products. I should also add that my frame was shipped with a Colnago carbon fork as they did not have any Precsia (spelling?) steel forks.
Nonetheless when I laid my eyes on these beautifuly sculpted integrated bars I started thinking that it might look interesting, and beautiful to have a very traditional steel road bike with a splash of very modern technology included i.e., Cinelli Ram. One thing is for certain, they absorb road vibration unlike traditional alloy bars. My "test" roads have been on the pot-holed-riddled streets of Toronto and the beautiful, though not always smooth- as-glass country roads in Campbellville, Ontario, which is about 45 minutes north of Lake Ontario just west of Toronto. I have also found that they are incredibly stiff which I feel is saying something as I currently weigh about 185lbs (okay, I'm 45 I I just got back into riding after a very long abscence from the sport!), and I use to race, so I know how to get up and out of the saddle and sprint like mad holding on the the drops. The stiffness gives me confidence when pulling, and I don't feel at all as though I'm looking for any stiffer places on the drops. I am of the same opinion as Eddy Merx, in that handle bars are meant to be held, gently, not fought with. I would however qaulify that from my opinion they are not as stiff as what I have been led to believe, either through other reviews or opinions - but they are indeed very stiff and stiff "enough". As for routing the cables, I found it to be quite easy actually. I was instructed by the person that sold them to to first push the cable housing through the bars (which I did and subsequently used a pair of surgical tongs to pull the cable ends through the holes - no sweat, no cursing), and then to push the cables through and into place on the leavers. The entire process took about a hour. As for the finsish, well there is clear coat over the carbon fibre which, like aluminum, or any other polished surface will scratch, though probably more easily that some. So, be careful!
I covered the bars with Cinelli gel tape up to the bends at the top of the leavers, and I had even thought about covering them all the way to about an inch either side of the integrated stem, though I'll proably try that at some other time. Doing that would definately eliminate the problems or worries of scratching/wearing off the protective clear coat.
All in all I would have to say that I more or less totally happy with the bars (though I have to agree that the bar end plugs do not fit very well and have to be trimmed down), they certainly do inspire looks of awe as other reviewers have pointed out. My only real ambivelance towards them is that I still see a traditional alloy stem and handle bar as looking more suitable on my Colnago Master. Having said that though, if there was one thing that I would recommend to the engineers at Cinelli is that while the bar and stem flows beautifully and naturally with a very organic shape, the bolting mount is very geometric looking, and in my opinion clashes with the otherwise streamlined look of the bar. The bolts should be completely recessed, and the top of the stem around the head set binder bold should be rounded off smooth, like the older Cineli alloy stems, i.e., X1. That, IMHO would provide the finishing design aesthetic to an otherwise exquisite component.
Favorite Ride: roads in and around Cambellville, Ontario
Price Paid:
$525.00
Purchased At: distributor
Similar Products Used: Nothing, all other bikes have been steel with alloy stem abd bar.
Bike Setup: 2005 58 cm Colnago Master (LX10 paint scheme) with traditional steel rear triangle, Colnago Street Carbon fork with chrom moly steel steerer tube, full 2005 Campy Record 10 speed groupo including 172.5mm alloy cranks and BB, Time RXS carbon pedals, Campy Record alloy head set, Record hubs with 12-23 cassett, 32 hole Ambrosio Nemisis rims with 14 gauge DT spokes and Vittoria Corsa EVO tubulars, 2001 Campy Record titanium seat post, Selle Italia Flite Gel saddle, Cinelli Ram bars with Point Check cyclometer mount and Cinelli Gel tape. Exquisite!
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