This article was produced in collaboration with EXS and was published in Issue 138 of Rouleur
EXS is a young Chinese company making a name for itself with innovative, cutting-edge carbon components – and it’s poised to become a major player in the cycling industry. The EXS R175 handlebar perfectly illustrates the brand’s approach. It’s proof that with effective, targeted research and development, a familiar, deceptively simple shape can be optimised to deliver performance gains in all areas.
For starters, in a world where every watt counts, where it is sometimes said that aero is everything, a CFD-sculpted profile that cuts drag is an absolute must: compared to traditional round tubed bars, the R175 bar can save 3-4 watts at 45kph.
More recently it has been accepted that aero isn’t quite everything: comfort is integral to performance, especially at the contact points. EXS’s engineers maintained a proven ergonomic design while improving the R175 aerodynamically: a 20mm flare from the bend to the drops allows wrists to land neutrally on the hoods, while a small but crucial amount of extra width at the drops supplies stability and strength for sprinting or descending.
The R175 also maintains the weight of its predecessor, the R180, despite moving the aero needle forward with its deeper profile and full internal cable routing. Thanks to a higher modulus carbon-fibre, at 180g it’s lighter than competitor carbon bars including the FSA K-Force Light ACR and the Deda Superzero DCR.
Additionally, a new carbon-fibre layup delivers a more nuanced ride feel: there’s built-in compliance for riding on the tops while stiffness in the drops is bolstered. It’s a ratio that strikes the perfect balance between comfort and speed.
So improved aerodynamics, a competitively low weight, comfortable ergonomics and intelligent stiffness are the results of the intensive R&D process behind the R175, and it’s available in widths from 36cm to 42cm, allowing all riders to achieve a precision fit.For those who like to combine smooth tarmac with more rugged gravel, the EXS R205 is a versatile option that offers the advanced performance of the R175 in an all-road cockpit.
At its heart, the R205 retains the ergonomic profile of the R series – comfortable, supportive and designed to reduce the likelihood of hand numbness on long rides – but it features a fresh drop design that’s more accessible and less aggressive than that of its roadgoing counterpart, the R175. With a shallower 100 mm drop (compared to the R175’s 125mm) it’s built for confidence when tackling more challenging terrain. The width at the drops is 40mm wider than at the tops, creating a superior angle for feathering the brake levers and enhancing control. However, the tried-and-tested 70mm reach measurement is the same for both bars.
Weighing 200g in the 40cm size, the R205 adds 20g over the lighter, aero focused R175, but makes up for it in strength. It meets Shimano’s gravel impact test, which demands a higher safety standard than for conventional road bars, proving that it’s engineered to withstand the knocks that come with mixed surface riding.
Additionally, the central clamping area is expanded to a width of 100mm so that extra accessories can be mounted either side of the stem, such as aero bars for ultra-distance racing, lights and GPS devices.
For out-and-out road speed, the R175 delivers aerodynamic gains and lightweight responsiveness. The R205, meanwhile, invests a modicum of weight back into durability, comfort and toughness so that you can head off the beaten track with confidence. At this point it’s fair to say the bar has been raised.
