Profile Design Cobra Drop

Price Paid:  $191.00 at Tree Fort Bikes

Favorite Ride:
up hill

Bike Setup:
Merlin Extralite, all Dura-Ace group to the wheels.

Summary:
I was looking at the Cobra bars and the FSA K-Wing. Both these bars are similar in design, but I went with the cobras since they had wider topand nice feel to the bend and shifter interface. As far as the bing factor goes, the cobra's are all over the K-wing. Much nicer graphics and look to the bar. So far seems like a very solid bar with lots of flat space for palms and good grip. I did a half wrap in white tape up to the top and it makes for a very sharp setup...

Strengths:
Solid, wide tops, comfortable bend, sharp graphics and carbon weave.

Weaknesses:
None thus far

Similar Products Used:
FSA K-Wing, Bontrager Blade

Price Paid:  $210.00 at Racine Cyclery

Favorite Ride:
Outside

Summary:
I wanted an ergonomic bar for a build, and was looking at the Performance E3, which I'd used. But it wasn't on sale, and I found this at my LBS. At lot of nice touches, including internally routed cables for both brake and shifters, a groove on the bottom of the bar right where your fingers rest when riding on the flats, a great platform where the shifters and bar meet ... Shimano feels almost like Campy with a wide flat place to rest your palm. Nice bend for riding in the drops. And the carbon layup and graphics are very striking. I decided not to wrap the top of the bar and so far, I like gripping just the plain carbon. All in all, well thoughtout, well executed, and strong enough to use the Profile clip on aerobars, if you're so inclined. Only quibble is weight, at 320 grams for a 42cm, it's on the heavy side.

Strengths:
Design
Ergonomics
Good looks

Weaknesses:
A little heavy

Similar Products Used:
Richey WWCS carbon bar, E3 carbon bar, and others.