Bike Setup: Cervelo Prodigy w/ Ultegra. EPX 303 Carbon (another serious bargain these days).
Summary: It's still early, so I'll watch for the fatigue issue mentioned, but overall, I love these things. Since they are out of vogue they are a friggin steal. (Bought one pair for $12, and just snagged another (Performance Brand) for $10). Put some bar wrap on them and they are a very comfy addition, allowing about 3 additional positions.
Strengths: Greatly lessoned hand fatigue mainly. Some aerodynamic benefit. Friggin ridiculously cheap now, if you find 'em used.
Weaknesses: A little hard to set up. Still too early to be sure about reliability. I don't trust the little aluminum clamps enough to put all my weight on them, but if they snap I'm right above the tops, so I should be ok.
Similar Products Used: None.
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Summary: Be careful if you use these. I would not recommend them. I weigh 155 and I dont think I put a lot of strain on them but they cracked where they fasten to the bars. Watch out!
Strengths: light weight adjustable
Weaknesses: clamp cracked after a couple of months use, the aluminum just split where the bolt is. Have another set and they also cracked.
Similar Products Used: Syntace C2
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Summary: I don't race so those restrictions are not important. When I first saw them in the Tour years ago, I had to have them and I got them as a gift. The stickers can be removed and I've put a small amount of cork tape on each extension which improves the grip and comfort. They're great on long rides as they offer additional hand and riding positions. Its funny that the UCI outlawed them for safety reasons and yet so many pros now can be seen riding with their forearms on the bar tops where they would have been with Spinaci or Tirarmisu bars. Bartoli, when with MG and then Asics was a big time user as were others.
Strengths: Down and dirty aero solution without giving up normal drop bar hand positions. Well thoughout, although somewhat tedious design which is reasonably light.
Weaknesses: Price at introduction and lack of classic bike aesthetics
Similar Products Used: none
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Bike Setup: 2000 Bianchi Eros; stock except Terry Liberator Ti-Race saddle
Summary: I got these on sale for $50, which is a good price (the original MSRP on the box said $129.99!). They are very light and work great. My two complaints are that the Cinelli logo is affixed rather sloppily by two stickers instead of a stamp or laser-etching (c'mon, for $130?), both of which are placed right where you grip the bars and are thus very subject to wear-and-tear; and that the clamps have a small axle that can be lost VERY easily if you remove the extensions. Also, if you want padding, it's extra.
Strengths: Italian-made Cinelli name strong and light
Weaknesses: cheesy sticker graphics won't fit some bars (clamp diameter too small) complicated clamp design (loose clamp axle) MSRP way too high
Similar Products Used: None
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