FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN) — At Eurobike this week, WTB is introducing a new flat bar grip call PadLoc that uses a special mitered handlebar to eliminate the possibility of slipping. The miter also allows the grip to have a thick rubber outer end for additional comfort.
SRAM is introducing two handlebar models at Eurobike that are designed to work with the WTB grip. Standard bars also can be cut to accommodate the grip, and Park Tool is introducing a new tool to allow shops to easily modify handlebars for the PadLoc.
"In order to prevent grip slippage, you have to look closely at where the rotation is occurring," said Chris Feucht, WTB's manager of new product development. "Purely bolting a grip down is not going to solve the problem, you have to think about how they (grips) slide and then work on that specific contact area to prevent movement from occurring ... Creating an angled plane on the handlebar's end that counters forward movement solves this issue. The best part is, this also adds real estate for extra rubber, which makes PadLoc grips remarkably forgiving and comfortable. It's funny that such an aggressive design is so easy on the hands," said Feucht.
The grips have a hardened inner sleeve that conforms to the handlebar's special shape. A rubber layer then covers the subframe and fills the void left by the bar's angle cut. The grips also have a single inboard locking ring to prevent horizontal grip movement.
SRAM is releasing two PadLoc handlebars under its TRUVATIV brand at Eurobike. The Jerome Signature Series Carbon Bar will feature 20mm of rise, seven degrees of back-sweep, and five degrees of upsweep with a 750mm width. The Jerome Clementz BlackBox Bar will be made of unidirectional carbon fiber, weighing 225 grams and will come mounted with WTB Commander 30mm PadLoc grips. The MSRP on the Jerome Clementz Signature Series Carbon Bar and WTB Commander 30mm PadLoc Grip combo is $226.
Additionally, SRAM released a 780mm Boobar handlebar made of 7000 series alloy featuring seven degrees of back-sweep, five degrees of upsweep and 20mm of rise. Available in black and weighing in at 335 grams, the Boobar Aluminum Bar will retail for $111 when paired with WTB gray Commander 30mm PadLoc grips. Both TRUVATIV handlebar/grip options come with WTB PadLoc Commander grips already installed on the handlebars and both bars will be available in a 31.8mm clamp diameter. The grip/handlebar bundles from SRAM will start shipping in September.
The new Park tool is called the Park SGI-7. It acts as an insert for the Park SG-7.2 Adjustable Saw Guide.
WTB will be offering PadLoc grips in six different profiles, each available in multiple colors. The models include an oversized 33 mm diameter offering, named the Clydesdale, and a 28mm diameter option named the Thinline. There will also be a raised, ergonomically shaped Ace grip and a winged grip aimed at comfort and distance riding named the Wingnut. The 30mm diameter Commander grip will also be available in a Grip Shift option. All PadLoc grips will retail for $34.95 and have a projected mid-December availability from WTB.
