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Prime Primavera Aero Carbon Handlebar

9
£149.99

VERDICT:

9
10
Updated aero bar is still light, still stiff and still a great deal
Stiff
Great drop for sprinting
Great price
Horizontal portion of the drop could be longer
Weight: 
226g
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This product has been selected to feature in road.cc recommends. That means it's not just scored well, but we think it stands out as special. Go to road.cc recommends

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Prime's new Primavera Carbon Aero Handlebar is, like its forerunner, a great upgrade option at an attractive price. The drop is slightly shallower with a more ergonomic shape that's excellent for sprinting, and the price is still very good.

I reviewed the original Primavera Carbon Handlebar back in 2019, and I'm happy to see a lot of features I loved back then carried over to this one. Still present and correct are the easily-accessible drops, the aero top section, huge holes for internal cable routing, and the space around the stem clamp for a computer mount and light.

2021 Prime Primavera Aero Carbon - rear centre.jpg

Installing the bar is pretty simple. Those large holes for the cables make life very easy – especially if you're installing hydraulic brake hoses with mechanical shift cables – and there's a hole at the back of the clamp area for electronic shift wires heading through the stem.

2021 Prime Primavera Aero Carbon - centre.jpg

Like the older model, wrapping bar tape is straightforward too, though you need to take care has when you finish the wrap at aero top section. A bit of time with the scissors and a clean finish is achievable.

46.3% more numbers

Prime says the new bar is 13% lighter, 29.5% stiffer vertically, 11% stiffer horizontally, and 21.4% stiffer rotationally. Overall, it's apparently 20.6% stiffer with 16% less deformation.

So, having calibrated my arms to within 0.1% of maybe, I headed off for some test rides. In truth I found the original bar plenty stiff enough, and with a weight of just 64kg and a maximum sprint power of 1150W, I'm certainly not the most powerful rider either.

Ride feel

I don't feel much has changed. The stiffness I liked about the old model is still there; stronger riders might find this new model gives them a slightly more solid base for big efforts, but the important thing for me is that Prime hasn't ruined the bar by making it harsh.

The road buzz that can hamper stiff carbon components isn't present here. Even with gloveless hands resting on the bare carbon of the aero top section, I don't feel much buzz.

2021 Prime Primavera Aero Carbon - logo detail.jpg

The drop section seems to be a bit more angular than the old model, though this is something I quite like, especially for getting a tight grip of the drops to get my head down and open up a sprint.

2021 Prime Primavera Aero Carbon - top.jpg

The shape gives a tight and stable hold on the bar that really helps you get planted, though one knock-on effect is that the drop transitions into the flat end very late. This leaves a very stubby flat section – I would have liked to see it extend another inch or so for a more comfortable hand position.

2021 Prime Primavera Aero Carbon - drop.jpg

Fitting accessories on either side of the stem is still easy, even with a chunky stem like the Zipp Sprint SL holding it on, and – for what it's worth – the weight is marginally lower too. Our 38cm test bar weighs in at 226g.

> 13 of the best cycling drop handlebars — how to buy the perfect bars

It's very good to see Prime has kept the price to £149.99, so it's still one of the cheapest aero handlebars on the market. Vision's Metron Aero bar is £351, for instance, so I'm sticking with my thoughts on the old version: this is an upgrade that's worth the money.

Verdict

Updated aero bar is still light, still stiff and still a great deal

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road.cc test report

Make and model: Prime Primavera Aero Carbon Handlebar

Size tested: 38cm

Tell us what the product is for and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?

Prime says: "Building on the success of the original Primavera handlebar, the all-new Primavera Aero Handlebar is lighter, stiffer and stronger, yet carries over many of the features that made the original so popular.

This high-quality aero handlebar features a high modulus carbon fibre construction, which makes it super-light at only 228g for the 42cm option. Its carbon build also ensures that riders benefit from exceptional strength, stiffness and precise handling when both training and competing."

Tell us some more about the technical aspects of the product?

Material: Carbon Fibre

Use: Road, Triathlon and Time Trial

Diameter: 31.8mm

Reach: 76.5mm

Drop: 122mm

Cable Routing: Internal, Shimano Di2 compatible

Flared Aero Tops

Width measured centre to centre

Weight: 228g (42cm option)

Product Data

Time Trial: Yes

Road: Yes

Rate the product for quality of construction:
 
9/10
Rate the product for performance:
 
9/10
Rate the product for durability:
 
8/10
Rate the product for weight (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for comfort (if applicable)
 
8/10
Rate the product for value:
 
7/10

Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose

Very well. It is stiff for sprints and hard efforts, but also comfortable.

Tell us what you particularly liked about the product

The hand position for sprinting is great. It really lets you wrench on the drops with everything you've got.

Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product

Nothing really.

How does the price compare to that of similar products in the market, including ones recently tested on road.cc?

Pretty much half the price of most other carbon aero bars.

Did you enjoy using the product? Yes

Would you consider buying the product? Yes

Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes

Use this box to explain your overall score

It's a stiff and comfortable aero bar that smokes the competition on price – an easy nine.

Overall rating: 9/10

About the tester

Age: 24  Height: 177cm  Weight: 62kg

I usually ride: Cannondale Supersix Di2  My best bike is:

I've been riding for: 5-10 years  I ride: Most days  I would class myself as: Expert

I regularly do the following types of riding: road racing, time trialling, cyclo cross, commuting, club rides, general fitness riding, I specialise in the Cafe Ride!

Add new comment

17 comments

Avatar
Carerra | 1 year ago
0 likes

Hi all does anyone know if these bars will work with a Scott Addict RC 30 2022, 

I know scott have carbon bars but i want these to be able to be angled if I need them, I have Sram Rival Etap, would the cables work ok? thank you

Avatar
Richardygrub | 2 years ago
0 likes

I'm looking at these bars and the review states that installation is pretty simple.

Unless I am missing something, I think it may be misleading to say installation is simple when it requires installation of new shifter and brake cables (even if they are in excellent condition); likely through the frame, and then indexing the front and rear mech's

Am I missing something?

 

 

Avatar
superfly_nz replied to Richardygrub | 1 year ago
0 likes

They most probably mean "installation is pretty simple" in relation to other internal routed handlebars, where often the holes are only just big enough to accomodate all the cabling, or are tricky to navigate the cable through the bend etc. E.g the Ritchey WCS Streem III

Avatar
Recoveryride | 2 years ago
0 likes

I had these - briefly. I couldn't route my Di2 through them, and neither could the shop I ended up taking them to. Tbf, Wiggle did issue a refund, despite the slight markings now on them, but I'd be sceptical of the Di2 compatible claims. A shame- they looked the business.

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to Recoveryride | 2 years ago
0 likes

I'm surprised you had difficulty with them. The Di2 cables were easy to route through - I just poked them through from the shifter holes and then used a bent paperclip to hook them and pull them through the hole by the stem. The hydraulics took more effort though as you have to separate the hose, push them through and then rejoin them and give them a quick bleed afterwards.

Mine are the older model so I don't know if they've changed/moved the holes and the pictures above don't show the holes.

Avatar
PRSboy | 2 years ago
0 likes

Here is my attempt... I've improved the bar end wrap now!  No idea why the pics gone sideways, sorry.

The most obvious end point for me is where the curve starts ie where the shaded section stops, but I'm not sure one would get the tape to wrap cleanly there and I do like the feel of the indent.

Avatar
PRSboy | 2 years ago
0 likes

I recently bought one of these in a 40mm width, and I can agree its excellent.  I would be interested to see a pic of how you (and indeed any others) finish the bar tape at the tops.  I went with reverse wrap starting horizontally just in front of the hoods, which I'm not entirely convinced by, although it does allow the full benefit of the sculpted section in front of the hoods, and shows the aero profile to full effect.

It is very comfortable, and I find I can stay low on the hoods for long periods, and I've felt no temptation to go into the (now UCI banned) mock time-trial position as I did before.

This and a set of Prime RR50s for under £650 all-in is in my view a great value upgrade path for any speed demons...

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to PRSboy | 2 years ago
1 like

Here's my clumsy attempt. I went half way along the flats as I sometimes put my hands there and often use the corners so I definitely wanted to cover them.

The tape's quite worn now so I'll be replacing it once the weather warms up a bit (got some funky Cycology tape).

Avatar
PRSboy replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
0 likes

I can certainly recommend tape that is not too thick and stiff... the Bontrager cork tape I used was a right pain to get into the bar ends.

Avatar
hawkinspeter replied to PRSboy | 2 years ago
0 likes

I used Selle SMP Grip tape which is quite thick, but flexible. It's lasted over a year and is still serviceable though it's slipped a bit on the right hand side at the corner.

I think yours looks a lot neater, but I definitely want the corner covered so I'll most likely do mine in a similar fashion as it is now. Maybe I should try a reverse wrap though.

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half_wheel79 replied to PRSboy | 2 years ago
0 likes

Agreed, I've got supacaz super sticky kush galaxy and whilst it feels great its a real pain to get round where the drop joins the top. 

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ChrisB200SX replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
0 likes

That's the old version, I've just returned mine, unused, and bought the new version, looking forward to it's arrival  1

Avatar
Liam Cahill replied to PRSboy | 2 years ago
2 likes

Here's my effort btw...

Side note: I've always gone for those nice (and expensive) tapes from the likes of Lizard Skins but went back to Pro Sport Control/Comfort for my winter bike. Very comfy, great grip with bare hands or gloves and soooo good for rewrapping. £14 on Amazon too.

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hawkinspeter replied to Liam Cahill | 2 years ago
0 likes

That looks very neat - did you do a reverse wrap?

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Liam Cahill replied to hawkinspeter | 2 years ago
0 likes

Nope, from the bar end as per usual. I've tried doing the reverse wrap a few times and I've never got it to look good. Might be one that you need to be doing every week to get the hang of it.

Avatar
PRSboy replied to Liam Cahill | 2 years ago
0 likes

Thanks... that's where I'm thinking I might do it to next time, though I'd have to leave the 'o' of Aero uncovered!  Yes I know, I should probably get out more.

The reverse wrapping went well, and removed the need for the finishing tape, but for some reason the bar ends were unusually fiddly.

Avatar
Liam Cahill replied to PRSboy | 2 years ago
0 likes

I knew someone would spot that 'o' haha.

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