This article was produced in collaboration with EXS and was first published in Rouleur Issue 139
The handlebar has become one of the most crucial elements in the design of the modern road bike. Out at the leading edge, it plays a central role in aerodynamic efficiency: minor changes in its shape can mean significant savings in watts, both from the bar itself and thanks to the superior position it helps the rider to adopt and hold. It’s also a primary touchpoint, where control, comfort, and confidence converge.
The latest research from bike fitters and engineers proves that optimising this single component can influence everything from drag coefficient to sprinting power to muscular fatigue. The modern handlebar isn’t just a component, it’s a whole performance system in its own right. More than ever before, the cockpit is no place for compromises – and one of the brands right at the leading edge of the leading edge is EXS.
EXS is a young company, founded in 2019 by a team of UCI mechanics, bike fitters and engineers from China, which very quickly gained recognition for its innovative, highly advanced carbon-fibre products. One of these products is the Aerover, a fully integrated handlebar that was designed to deliver uncompromising performance in every scenario.
At just 290 grams in its lightest configuration, the Aerover is lighter than many so-called climber’s bars, but it’s no fragile weight-weenie. When benchmarked against one of the industry’s leading integrated handlebars, the Aerover proved stiffer in nearly every dimension – while being 50 grams lighter. EXS used its proprietary MONOCOQUE+ technology, incorporating high-modulus carbon with its SMOOTH E+ process to bolster stiffness and strip weight. In the real world this translates into crispness, directness and the supplying of that all-important feedback from the road.
Refined through the use of advanced CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) and FEA (Finite Element Analysis), the Aerover was engineered for low drag. Compared with a conventional aero bar/stem combo, EXS’s engineers delivered a four-watt improvement at 40kph. That’s enough to gain 15 seconds over 40 kilometres or even more at higher speeds – easily enough for a successful solo breakaway. Every surface is shaped for efficient airflow, from the kammtail tops, super-clean frontal profile and internal cable routing.
While the large bicycle brands often limit size options, if indeed they offer them at all at point of purchase, the EXS Aerover is available in 32 different size combinations including widths from 360mm to 420mm at the hoods – ideal for riders chasing narrower, more aerodynamic positions. And, just in case riders want to get even more aero, resting forearms on the tops in the ‘puppy paws’ position, there are dimples on the tops for additional grip. Just make sure the UCI doesn’t catch you, warns EXS... The Aerover is also offered in modern compact and traditional drop profiles to suit personal preferences and riding styles.
As for the specific dimensions, a 70mm reach, 125mm drop, and -10° stem angle supply aggressive race geometry, while a 35mm steerer height allows a low stack and makes its own contribution towards a lower coefficient of drag when the stem is slammed.
Compatibility is another area where EXS has refused to compromise. The Aerover works with both 1⅛” and 1¼” steerer tubes and is compatible with internal cable routing for the top race bikes from the likes of BMC, Colnago, Cannondale, Factor, Giant, Merida, Pinarello, Scott, Specialized, Trek and Wilier.
And finally, at a starting price of $450, the EXS Aerover delivers a level of performance, integration, and rider-first engineering more often found in components costing twice as much.
