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[@GCPerformance18]

First off, I am sorry for the long raw footage video.. We went in there with a game plan and it ended up taking more time then what we thought it was lol, but non the less we had fun doing it and I think the bike looks way better, do not let this discourage you from attempting this if you have the right tools at home lol, it looks intimidating but in all seriousness it is like anything in life, achievable with a little patience. But if you are looking for some alternative to the big name brand bars, head over to panda podium and look at some of the bars featured here today, www.pandapodium.cc/2024/05/22/why-a-new-handlebar-is-the-1-upgrade-for-your-road-bike/?ref=1679 also big shout out to doug for being there with his madone!!

[@lostboy8814]

No need to apologise I could watch this stuff all day....Love it man.

[@redauwg911]

Yep looks really nice, Customer was right about hardest part is not scratching anything while working, Cover and tape everything until your finished working . Nice Job guys.

[@GCPerformance18]

thanks so much, yea he is very particular about things, and when shoving cables through handlebars people can forget once the cabel gfoes through so does the force lol

[@reynard2ki]

Nope, I use a 38cm bar and a 130mm stem. That combo is nearly, if not completely, impossible to find in an integrated system. Then there is finding a preferable bend, reach, drop, and stem angle. Sorry, but it may not look as good, or be as stiff, but for optimal fit, you can't beat a traditional bar/stem combo. If you go with integrated, you are going to compromise somewhere.

[@jiahuacai8278]

i think EXS do support any width up to 140mm stem…same as far

[@donwinston]

Yeah, I can't even get a 40mm wide bar with a 130mm stem without spending a fortune. The Chinese bars don't go longer than 120mm.

[@GCPerformance18]

exs makes a 130 by 38, there are a ton of companies out there with different reach and stem drop, look at darimo, I mean yes two piece is always nice for adjustments but you can find a stem and bar for sure, and those bars are more aero in the front

[@logojones96]

@@donwinston Avian canary goes as s all as 34cm bar and as big as 140mm stem super light and $299. Lighter than most 2 piece bar a stem combos and in theory more aero.

[@kidsafe]

In certain California road races, there’s a good chance a separate bar+stem will result in the bar rotating down. It doesn’t matter how much Motorex carbon paste you use or if you overtorque the faceplate slightly. That’s my main reason for wanting a one-piece barstem.

[@savagepro9060]

4:09 No matter what you do RIGHT someone will disagree that's WRONG . . . uh that's RIGHT! Bike Shop Mechanic Philosophy!

[@GCPerformance18]

its the truth

[@petecollis4980]

A home made tool that makes this so much easier in getting the hoses through the bars or frame. Superglue a a gear cable into a hose barb, use baking powder to strengthen the bond and leave around 10mm of cable that can go into the brake hose. Thread the cable through from the shifter end through the bars, then plug the cable into the hose. Use the cable to gently guide end of the hose whilst pushing the hose. Hope this helps.

[@bubby372]

As a Trek guy with a '24 Madone SLR 7. That's a great upgrade for the SL 7. Bike looks awesome. Enjoyed the video.

[@GCPerformance18]

yea I think his bike came out so nice with this,k I want to grab some pics of it when the sun comes out it matches the top tube so nicely

[@thegoodwheel]

This was good to see Grant. Glad to see Doug doing some wrenching as well.

[@GCPerformance18]

Hahaha thanks Luis!! It was a fun time

[@eto2352]

"Got fluid in my face." "It happens bro, it's like massage oil bro, you'll be fine" 🤣🤣 damn this video going in a whole different direction

[@kristoffercarlosguerra1753]

Manufacturers of integrated handlebars should construct these bars with internal pathway for the freaking cables, that way you just push the cable and it will always go through the holes effortlessly. Tell them GC, tell'em

[@GCPerformance18]

lmao I think it owuld be hard and also add more weight

[@savagepro9060]

GC: Major Bike Brands Get this Bike Part WRONG! GC: The owner's WALLET!

[@GCPerformance18]

lmfao

[@spenceraaltonen]

Looks so much better... Completely agree about many brands being slow to adopt the integrated cockpits. Of course they can be a PITA when you have to change anything or to get fit right, but once you have it setup they are so much better looking.

[@Gabrielle4870]

Finally a shop does a reverse wrap. I just refuse shops doing my bar tape because in my town nobody does it.

[@GCPerformance18]

:) I think it makes it look so much more cleaner

[@Gabrielle4870]

@GCPerformance18 agreed. Sometimes, I will add some double sided tape underneath if the tape isn't very sticky or grippy.

[@redkeyspoke]

Reverse wrap for the win! Second ever tape job and it's holding up great.

[@GCPerformance18]

love to hear it

[@zhuyufan1186]

I only realized that some handlbars have longer reach on themselves recently, so 400x100 handlebars are different from one manufacturers to another. Thankfully it is my Chinarello instead of my Elves that has the wrong reach, so replacing the handlbar isn't that expensive.

[@yonglingng5640]

Of all customers that have approached me about cockpits, almost all of them never take handlebar reach into account, likely because they don't know it's a thing.

[@downbad9066]

Brotha was struggling using the measuring tape lol

[@jmurphy3350]

Dude. Thanks so much for this video. I might be able to buy the sl model now. Most mechanics want to keep all their secrets.

[@UltimateTuner10]

Good luck finding one

[@GCPerformance18]

no problem lol, I just like to have fun with bikes

[@GCPerformance18]

they stopped because the new one is coming out soon

[@UltimateTuner10]

@@GCPerformance18everyone who got a Madone in the last 2 years should be a pig in shit right now

[@theotheroneb1548]

I'll sell you mine for $4600 +shipping. Buying the new gen 8 ASAP. Would have held off if I knew it was coming. Willing to take the hit on price.

[@DavidFritzIII]

The BMC 1-piece bars come with pre-routed strings that help route the cables... it makes this job sooooo much easier!

[@PatrickLino]

26:51 mark - AYE YO 🤣

[@GCPerformance18]

lmao shit gets in the eyes lol

[@87togabito]

Bought the EXS bar in 2022 when it first came out. No regrets.

[@trevourmcgoon2858]

Just watched this. Perfect timing as I've just upgraded from a similar combo -stem/bar combo to a one piece Syncros integrated setup. Great video bud 🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@jklok]

Girth to girth. Lol😂

[@GCPerformance18]

Got a real good girth to girth ratio

[@progrum24]

This setup is a huge improvement!

[@GCPerformance18]

customer is extremely happy with it, and fit is no issue

[@bloopasonic]

I am the biggest Campag fanboi, but man, do they make this job hard... the brake hose has a permanently attached banjo on the shifter end. You have to rip the hoses out of the frame/fork to change an integrated cockpit 😠 Also: I want the handlebar in the video so bad.

[@GCPerformance18]

yea I do not know why campy makes it so hard, so may people are moving away from it except the true fans, the handlebar is so nice, it has 10mm less reach also so super nice

[@gresleymccaslin5948]

Good video guys,pity you didnt show cutting of the stem,and how one does it getting it completely level..but great info .thanks.

[@Wtfitsgabonabike]

Been following for a over 2 years, been a long time to see another person in one of your video

[@GCPerformance18]

To be completely honest. I don’t like recording in front of other people. I’m very embarrassed and shy

[@rodrigopages1054]

Even tho they might look “aesthetic” comfort and fit is waaaaaaaaaay more important!!! It limits your choice of bike set up so much

[@GCPerformance18]

yes this is the truth, we did a lot of off camera talking about his fit and ultimately it came down to him wanting to chop it, he was wanting to do it for some time now, buit I made sure he was okay with decision tbh i was the one telling him to leave the chimney

[@benjaminwolf9801]

That bike looking Silca Smooth.

[@GCPerformance18]

silca plugs coming in hot

[@guspachio4977]

Well done….entertaining video!

[@GCPerformance18]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@guspachio4977]

@@GCPerformance18 And the handlebars look great together with the bike!

[@gren509]

Don't cut the steerer for a couple of weeks - there ain't no hurry and you keep your options open. Your measuring for the levers was pretty poor, revisit that !

[@chaahmongcyclist1066]

My first road bike from bikesdirect was a Windsor Knightly wayyy back in like 2008. It came with reverse wrap. Never knew why but it sure made sense! Never went back to that e-tape!.. actually I did a few times over the years, but I would immediately go back to reverse wrap! ..that sticky residue too 🤦‍♂️

[@RodimusPrime]

Integrated bar stem combos are trash and a total nightmare to work on.

[@GCPerformance18]

No they are not. I work on them for a living

[@guspachio4977]

Got to love cycling…the less you want/get, the more you pay. 😂😂😂

[@charlesblithfield6182]

There’s a lot to be said for thinking of your bike or making your bike beautiful. If you love your bike you’ll ride it more and take better care of it. I have a bike I’ve maintained in many different ways that’s 38 years old (it was my too big for me then hard tail when I was a little kid). It’s not my main bike but I still ride it a couple of times a week to do errands. Point is I love this bike and took care of it with many of its parts the sane as was on it when I got it all those years ago.

[@craigpavia8943]

The opposite of "The Best Upgrade" is what the title should be. While im sure you can find the right fit for a short period of time, nobody other than pros have bike sponsors who will swap EVERYTHING for free. This upgrade is huge $$$$ for massive fit penalties that will no doubt come with reduced fitness or improved flexibility. Wheels/tires are ALWAYS the best upgrade. Dump that bike just once at a coffee stop and start to cry. #dumb

[@nocturnalcadence1676]

Nice video, I'm going to try the Avian Canary bars to replace my Trifox open mold bars. Aesthetic, drop curve, and weight savings are the reasons I'm switching.

[@angela-onesroman8873]

The anxiety I was suffering from those bars, I wanted to grab them from my Samsung s24 ultra screen, man, my goodness. Lol...

[@okkesersinmart]

its somewhat half aesthetic now once getting rid of the all the spacers it will be fully aesthetic for me

[@GCPerformance18]

yup

[@mikespadafora9077]

Spoken like a true salesman. This is the crap that is ruining cycling.

[@leslie7922]

Ummm I'm starting to lose faith in GC... A mechanic promoting single piece bar and stem is pure insanity. Hey bike shop I started doing yoga and now want to extend my reach, oh sure that's $900 and there's no stock nationwide 😂

[@jklok]

Then don’t buy a one piece bar and stem?

[@GCPerformance18]

customer bought these bars for his fit, this is what they want, and in all honesty, a single piece bar and stem wil be more aerodynamic and depending on if you want comfort or stiffness it is the way to go, now if you do not know your fit or uncomfortable on the bike maybe a bike fit is the better way to go

[@imranwahid11]

Speak for yourself mate. I bought this exact model Trek Madone and upgraded to single piece bar-stem. Looks and feels so much better.

[@MicoMoTv]

Lol maybe youre just scared of installing it or doing a service to the bike with a integrated handle bar. Or maybe youre just lazy

[@dylanl9532]

How you are able to get one of these? The wait list is 3 months in China

[@ayoCanada0921]

I like to bike a lot, Honestly these 3 thousand dollars or ten thousand dollars bike is not my taste or styles and I can't see myself wearing a spandex short while cycling 😮 Like your work on the bike

[@jameseastwood402]

Frickin love my EXS Aerover

[@GCPerformance18]

honetly In my opinion the best looking bar and stem combo in the game,

[@Alex-bh4um]

The best upgrade... you really not serious ?!

[@GCPerformance18]

the cockpit fit is will make a huge difference for comfort and also ride quality this part of the bike you spend 100 percent of the time in and if you are not ocvmfy you will not perform

[@ageofsigmar7236]

That seat post seems like can break at anytime 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@mammothtarm]

Thanks for the Vid. When are you going to do a video on the Avian Canary. I’m about to buy the Avian Falcon II for my Giant Defy.

[@JimCCorn]

Wrong. Number one upgrade should be tires.

[@lostboy8814]

Great video as always Grant,I gotta tell you though all these guys going with smaller bars ie 38'',are their shoulders really that small?.....Being an ex Fireman I need my 42'' bar,I guess we're built pretty broad in the Fire Service,lol.

[@pablofcasal5416]

Sure looks better than the regular way, but reverse wrap, makes it easy for sweat to get between the tape and the handlebars. When you remove the tape in a few months, everything will be full of salt.

[@ADVRaiderKTM]

Man, it's been months, I am certain that there is a conspiracy about not reviewing the Wheeltop electronic groupset! None of the usual KZbinrs followed up on it. What's going on?

[@GCPerformance18]

lmao I can do now, the group has held up amazing, the only bad thing to me is the app that is all but i have not charged it the battery is great and the group is working amazing

[@ADVRaiderKTM]

@@GCPerformance18thanks for the update mate!

[@mattmckenna623]

I've been wanting one for like a year but they're just absolutely never in stock. Considered a Farsports one but they're not quite as aesthetically pleasing.

[@peterago1082]

8 out of 10

[@qibble455]

Bike is sick. Reverse wrap all day.

[@GCPerformance18]

hell yea, the bike came out so nice

[@ramsden35]

Looks amazing and not a chance I’d do that! Trained professionals only!

[@ghostdog6471]

I did that on my scott addict rc, and it worked perfectly fine. For the first time ever. I'm so proud of myself 😊

[@GCPerformance18]

thats awesome!!!! It just takes time and practice, you think everyone when they started soemthing was a natural? no everything in this world takes time, good job!!!

[@GCPerformance18]

thanks so much!!! I am always here for the help

[@ramsden35]

@@GCPerformance18 Just keep showing these beautiful machines in your own unique style! You’re clearly passionate about bikes/cycling so it’s great you have a bike shop your customers are real lucky.

[@ciprian7]

This is a very good video, we went from criticizing the manufactures for pushing all integrated one piece handlebar and point out all the shortcomings and disadvantages to advocating for the same thing. What is refreshing is the owner of the bike admitting the reason is esthetics .

[@GCPerformance18]

Thanks so much!!

[@user-hj7ex1rc9r]

Looks fantastic and I would have done the same thing

[@ryanengstrom5038]

Sure would be nice if this handlebar was available from EXS, been trying to get one for 2 months now always out of stock on their website

[@jklok]

Same here. I contacted them to see if they would take special orders but they would not.

[@bamicus9342]

Can’t get the exs for sure. What does that say about the company? Farsports has stock.

[@chenjx83]

I am lucky to get the exs handlebar from my local bike shop. I was told waiting time was minimum more than 2 months and up to 5 months. Definitely a great handlebar so far for me on my sl8.

[@GCPerformance18]

yea I do not know why they are always out of stock I know whgen I did my first video they said they had a lot of demand for it but I mean there needs to be better delievery of product

[@charlesmansplaining]

Lets compare here, Calvin from Park Tool is a great mechanic with great mechanical videos. You on the other hand, are funnier than he is. That's all I'll say. 😉

[@GCPerformance18]

lmao well thank you, I try to have fun with this stuff, this customer wanted ot try it on his own, so I figured I would help, but just some casual fun time

[@petersouthernboy6327]

I have never liked the design of the seat tube / top tube junction on this particular Trek model.

[@GCPerformance18]

me either I do not know why trek always does this look

[@ChrisCapoccia]

Cool bars, but needs a head unit mount. How are you going to post to Strava without a mount

[@GCPerformance18]

bars come with it and we added it after the video

[@dustyhoods]

I did reversed wrapping - it's good👌🏻

[@GCPerformance18]

it is the best outcome

[@jakethesnake1976]

Look good >>>go fast 👌

[@salsalawyer]

i measure from the tip of the saddle to the crease of the stem over.

[@MateusMartinss]

Will he regret the steer cut? [ x ] YES [ ] NO

[@manchetajr]

Did your store get the new crux dsw yet? Looking for a review!

[@GCPerformance18]

no we did not, honestly I do not think we did any orders from them yet, they look nice but nno asks yet for it

[@skrub3761]

anyone know if the Specialized Roubaix and its future shock is compatible with a one piece bar and stem??

[@GCPerformance18]

Is it is but it won’t be internal cables. But I have used a rapide bar on there

[@aaronpaterson7582]

Excellent except for the bar flares. Not for me

[@papis408]

Saw your installation SRAM AXS FD video. Are you making a RD one?

[@simply_al7017]

this would be significantly harder with older di2 that has cable bar ends right?

[@GCPerformance18]

Yes much harder. It’s a pain in the ass

[@simply_al7017]

@@GCPerformance18 thanks for replying ... already had the bar in my cart :D

[@pigupigu]

Imagine spending that much on a madone and having to buy a cockpit upgrade. This is standard issue for any custom build

[@GCPerformance18]

well the bike was a good deal, being 6500 for ultegra di2 and carbon wheels and he got a deal, once he rode it for a while and got a fit he got a feeling for what he wanted. a one piece bar and stem is more aero and lighter and stiffer for sprints, and also he wanted looks. this was his choice

[@InfernoVolatil]

iI will be good with that alloy handlebaar haha

[@milesburrage7849]

A HAMMER yes GC

[@GCPerformance18]

hahahaha

[@Anspekalski]

Hey GC, Would that EXS Handlebar work for a rim brake tarmac SL6? Ive see custom 3d printed spacers for the Roval Rapide one piece bar, and installed on a rim brake sl6, but curious if you have had any experience with EXS & a rim brake bike

[@tube8723]

I have a Cervelo Solist with 11 speed ultegra mechanical. Would this bar work with my setup?

[@GCPerformance18]

it seems ot have enough clearance but it will be a huge pain in the ass

[@thedronescene7474]

Lovely bike and an amazing bar tape job. That said, the brake job is horrible! The moment the housing is removed from the lever and cut, you should bleed it. I don't care how many excuses or how much experience you have; you should know better. Those brakes are going to feel terrible after a few rides, and I don't think someone like you should be promoting this type of service. Do it right or don't do it at all.

[@GCPerformance18]

I bled the rear brake because it was needed, but honestly the brakes have a seal pressure on the hose and caliper from being plugged so no fluid is released from them because of the pressure.... and we cut the end of the hose to make clean connection and for the shifter they have there own fluid system in there and own reservoir the part that was open was just a connection port that does not leak unless you squeeze lever, now is fluid spills or brake lever is hit then can cause issues to bleed.... but as long as new olive and barb are applied you can have bleed maintain..... because the hose has same fluid no bubbles, caliper has the same amount of fluid... only place you can get air is shifter and if you just put cup on top and pump it bubbles will come out...... but yes I agree if your asking me for a store service yes you should bleed if your paying for service.

[@jpmorisset95]

You selling the stock bar? I’d like to add it to my Gen 4 Domane

[@GCPerformance18]

yes reach out to me the customer wants to sell, [e-mail]

[@onacoffeeride]

Still interested in bar?

[@Raven5763]

Novatoride link doesn't work.

[@GCPerformance18]

Use gcperfnova10 for the discount code. It will do it at checkout

[@DavidFritzIII]

Reverse it... very controversial... and to avoid being the one disagreeing, I'll only halfway disagree... If you're doing lots of sprints and or races the reverse tape tends to be the worse... if you're more of a group ride zone 2 kinda rider with the occasional intervals.. reverse it every day. So to your comment... from the factory probably would make sense to reverse tape since 95% of the riders buying these bikes would fall in to that type of category.

[@seanlee7670]

Best upgrade, get rid of trek bicycle.

[@GCPerformance18]

oooof shots fired, I will let him know to get a specialized

[@mvmadore]

I'm amazed, not in a good way, that you used a mechanical housing tool to cut the hydraulic lines when a proper line cutting tool would have been much easier and give a cleaner cut...I can understand using it when first cutting the line but it left a ragged edge..."no bueno" sp? to quote you...but at least use the proper tool when making the final cut and at least mention using the correct tool. You should/could have dropped the fork, removed the headset bearings, degreased, dried and regreased them while you had the cockpit apart...customer would have freshly greased headset and a longer life to the bearings. You could have at least mentioned doing it but didn't for time reasons. I've been watching your video's for some time and always enjoy them. I'm also a wrench monkey and have been since the mid '80's. This is the first time I've felt like Hambini when watching your video. I was yelling at my TV when you were doing some of the things I saw...sigh...

[@geko7843]

Looks great, would like to have this motherfukka on my Tarmac SL6

[@GCPerformance18]

hahahaha

[@alainpfammatter8224]

Nice cockpit upgrade 👍

[@GCPerformance18]

hell yea

[@nehaalkathuria]

whats a good solution for grip on the top of aero bars? This one has some grip dots on the top but my Giant aero bars are slippery, do I just put some skateboard tape on it? Wouldn't look the best

[@yonglingng5640]

Not that it's completely incorrect, pro TT bikes do use grip tape on their contact points, but then again, TT bikes are only ridden over short distances.

[@ciprian7]

Look great

[@johnrodgers6049]

Not a fan of integrated. If not perfect size you have to swap out everything. Can’t travel with the integrated.

[@GCPerformance18]

yea if you are looking for a travel bike then this is not the build

[@justsomedude7556]

Bontrager bars are so long, I hate the reach issues it causes me. Id rather have a separate bar and stem, but the reach just sucks

[@antonpeterson1245]

I had the same issue when I bought my Émonda ALR 4. The reach to the shifters is fine, but I can't sprint in the drops without the bars hitting my wrists. Hopefully, by putting a longer stem and using a shorter reach handlebar, it will solve the issue.

[@justsomedude7556]

@@antonpeterson1245 I put on the Ritchey WCS Carbon Streem II on 3 bikes, they are fantastic. 70mm reach, 124mm drop, 40mm wide. Fantastic bars, worth the look. I'm also using a 120mm stem on 2 bikes, 100mm on one with a longer top tube.

[@GCPerformance18]

yea thats what I was saying to my buddy those bars looked so weird

[@antonpeterson1245]

Bontrager does sell one that has a shorter reach, but unfortunately, it didn't come with the bike. I've got a shorter reach bar from my old bike that I'll use: 80mm reach, 124mm drop 400mm width.

[@Tingavert]

Hi, what model was the original handlebar?

[@GCPerformance18]

I do not know I think bontrager rsl bar

[@onacoffeeride]

Bontrager RSL Aero Road Handlebar - 390mm. FOR SALE

[@theAripper1]

My bikefitter disagrees

[@GCPerformance18]

he got a fit before he did this upgrade and put a ton of miles ont here

[@vromaka]

One piece bar and stem with zero possibility to fit - total crap.

[@jklok]

Get fitted first before buying the bar

[@GCPerformance18]

yes customer put on a lot of miles and knows what his fit is, he likes the length and width

[@sabo7808]

release date 2025 crux??

[@GCPerformance18]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm