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• Bontrager RSL MTB Handlebar/Stem

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'Looks amazing'

'Once installed, the combo looks amazing – It is clean and svelte without looking too far from the future.'

'There is one thing about the RSL bar/stem that does stand out to me: It’s beautiful'

'The demand for space-age cockpits is here'

'A muted, comfortable ride was on the platter and steering felt fast, precise and familiar.'

'The overall look and feel of the RSL MTB is all pro'

'When you’re riding and see a single piece of integrated carbon – it looks fast'

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BONTRAGER RSL MTB HANDLEBAR/STEM REVIEW

Review by Nic Hall

Bontrager’s RSL line (Race Shop Limited) are their highest end carbon components with crossover products in road, gravel, and mountain biking. We received their latest integrated bar/stem combo to put to the test. Being that it is e-bike certified, we stuck it on one of our test e-mtbs and got to work.

THE LAB RSL components have been an enviable piece of kit we have seen on several XC and gravel bikes, but now Bontrager is bringing the line to enduro and trail bikes. The newest MTB bar/stem combo is laid up in OCLV carbon, which is Trek’s proprietary layup that is supposed to offer extremely light weight while retaining compliance and strength. The combo is available in several sizes from XC specific 90mm stem x 750mm bars with a 13 degree stem drop to the more gravity focused 35mm stem x 820mm bars, and comes in every color as long as it is matte black.

Bontrager has designed the stem to work with both their Knock Block system headset, as well as a standard unit. Cut guides are printed on the bar to allow you to customize your length, along with shifter and brake position lines to get a perfect cockpit setup. All hardware is titanium, and the decals are a sweet premium-looking gloss gold over the matte carbon. They also feature Trek’s Blendr integration – a small screw port on the front of the bars that allows the integration of Blendr lights and computer mounts that are available separately.

THE DIRT Leaving the bars at 820mm is a bit wide for our preferences, so we cut them down to a still wide 800mm to see how they would fare on our Specialized Levo SL. Our bar had a 27.5mm rise, 35mm stem, and 7 degrees of backsweep and 6 degrees of upsweep – numbers that are quite different to “standard” bars, but proved to be comfortable still. Since the stem is integrated, install and setup time is minimized but of course you lose bar roll adjustability, so you better be happy with the angles. Once installed, the combo looks amazing – It is clean and svelte without looking too far from the future.

Weight is considerably lighter than comparable high end separate bar and stem combos at an impressive 247g. For comparison, the RaceFace Next R bar is 215g for just the bar and 160g for the Aeffect R stem. This comes at a price though, with the RSL combo coming in a good amount more expensive at $350 in the US or a whopping £399 in the UK.

Once out on the trail, the RSL bar has a good feel, with enough damping to keep your hands from taking too much abuse. It provides this reasonable comfort while remaining stiff enough to yank around an e-mtb without issue. The sweep and rise were comfortable for my taste as I usually run a slightly forward roll on my bar, but it won’t suit everyone. The bar survived a full week of trail work and e-shuttle abuse with no noticeable damage, but we will need more time with the bar to really put it to the test.

The Wolf’s Last Word

Price: £399.99 /$349.99 Weight: 247g (820mmx35mm tested) Website: Trekbikes.com

Simplicity of install Ultra-light Compliance and durability

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Get that ‘Flying Car Look’ With Bontrager’s RSL Integrated MTB Cockpit [Review]

Somehow, we still don’t have cars that fly around at lightspeed while we sit back and text or quaff post-ride beers. Likely there’s some physics to sort out, and even more airspace logistics. Making things look like they belong on a flying automobile or Tron moto is rarely a bad move, and Bontrager has taken that aesthetic to the bank with their new Race Shop Limited (RSL) integrated cockpit.

I have tested a few integrated cockpit setups, including the Hixon iC Rise and Fraser setups from Syncros. Both of these took some time to get used to since the only adjustment available to the rider is via stem spacers. Angle adjusting grips like the CR35 from Production Privée can add some adaptability, but for the most part, you either get along with the angles of your integrated cockpit or you sell it. After some occasional wrist pain with one set I eventually got on with the Syncros bars, and when Bontrager offered to have us test their new integrated offering I was keen to feel the differences.

It’s debatable which model of carbon wounder-bars looks more futuristic, but there’s no doubt they all make unique shapes. If you show up to the trail with these bars mounted to your bike you’ll quickly receive comments on the funky looks and assumed high price. That assumption isn’t wrong, as a set of these costs $367 . Still, that’s about the price of a carbon stem alone from a weight-conscious competing brand.

I tested the shortest effective stem offered at 35mm to fit with my bike’s 480mm limousine reach and cut the bar down to the 770mm hand-span that I’m used to. The carbon fiber tube is marked to be trimmed by a full 40mm per side, but going any further would likely sacrifice the compliance characteristics that Bontrager’s engineers intended.

There is a small wedge in the front of the bar that integrates with Trek’s Knock Block system, and it can be swapped for the included spacer if your bike isn’t equipped with that steering-limiter headset. There is also a small bolt on the leading edge of the handlebar where riders can mount a light, camera, or computer via the Bontrager Blendr system.

The geometry on a Race Shop Limited cockpit is fairly dialed to fit with the head tube and length of most modern gravity bikes. The 27.5mm rise is a good start to get the bars nice and high for steep riding, and the 0° stem kicks the bar out nicely from a modern, slack headtube. The only geometry complaint I ran into with the RSL cockpit is around the up sweep. At 2°, the bars feel notably flat compared to the PNW Range Gen 3 handlebar I had mounted previously. By “flat” I mean that the outside of my hand feels level with the inside and that reduced angle gives me the sensation that my hands can more easily slip off the end of the grips. I managed to mitigate that feeling by incrementally adding 5mm spacers under the stem until the bars were high enough that I could weight them similarly to the previous tube.

The PNW bar I was gripping prior has a 5° up sweep that’s intensified by the amount I rotate it forward in the stem. I moved the PNW bar around to mimic the RSL’s geometry as much as possible and found that I keep all of my adjustable handlebars rolled forward a fair bit further than the effective roll of the Bontrager RSL geometry. The PNW bars have a smidge more back sweep at 10° and my preferred forward rotation tips that back sweep upward to augment the up sweep in a way that feels great to me. While the flatter slipping-sensation was remedied, and likely most riders could get used to the 2° angle of these RSL bars, the stationary handlebar position is always something to consider before dropping cash on an integrated cockpit.

In terms of stiffness and overall trail control, the RSL bars take the integrated-cockpit win with my hands and wrists. I grew accustomed to the stiffness of the Syncros bars, but with these from Bontrager, I didn’t have to adjust or endure pain. I’m a fairly resilient cartoon character, and I’ll deal with pain for a while in the interest of adapting, but I was thankful to skip that step here. The RSL carbon cockpit is stiff enough that I don’t think about it or notice a change in steering control while riding rough tracks or pushing through harsh compressions. It feels as good as most carbon bars and better than some of those with 35mm clamps that can feel overly harsh. Maybe heavier and harder-charging athletes can speak more to the compliance qualities of the RSL cockpit, but overall it feels just right for my body and riding style.

• Lightweight
• Accessory integration
• The right amount of stiffness
• Unique look

Pros and cons of the Bontrager RSL integrated cockpit.

• Expensive compared to separate bar / stem combos
• Not everyone will get along with the geomertry

Give the Race Shop Limited cockpit a look while you’re out searching for ways to drop grams from your massive gravity sled. If the geometry looks similar to a handlebar you already like this could be a good place to cut weight — even if it’s not a hands-free ride in the sky.

⭐️ The Bontrager Race Ship Limited cockpit is available for purchase at Trek .

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Bontrager RSL Blendr Stem review

No clutter on the handlebars and perfectly centred accessories sounds great, but does it work.

Cyclingnews Verdict

An excellent option if your needs line up. Double check though, because making changes takes a bit of time and it’s not as universal as the concept sounds. The strongest pull for this design is going to come from those who have a desire to stick with Trek products for a matching look.

Light, stiff, carbon stem

Price of the stem includes mounting pieces

Plenty of stiffness even over rough gravel roads

Captured screws make for easier installation

Making configuration changes requires removal of handlebars

No Wahoo adapter included or available from Bontrager

Included mount places the computer too high

You can trust Cyclingnews Our experts spend countless hours testing cycling tech and will always share honest, unbiased advice to help you choose. Find out more about how we test.

Modern cycling often means accessories on the handlebars. Mounting those accessories is a challenge that has given rise to a wide breadth of manufacturers with innovative solutions. Brands such as K-Edge and Bar Fly have filled a need and created mounts that handle everything you could need. What those solutions tend to have in common is that they are an add-on. 

If you are looking to upgrade to something from our list of the best road handlebars you might be replacing your stem anyway. Why not choose a stem with an integrated mounting solution? It could clean up the front of the bike and keep your accessories mounted to the exact centre of the bike. If you are picky about how your bike looks there's a certain draw but it has to work. With that in mind, we spent time with the Bontrager RSL Blendr stem understanding how it works and what it does best. If you like the sound of simplifying the front of your bike, keep reading to see our thoughts on the Bontrager take on a solution. 

Design and aesthetics

Let's be honest here, you could use an alloy stem and get similar performance for a lot less money. Bontrager itself offers the Pro Blendr stem with the same features for less than half the price. The RSL Blendr stem does win on weight, saving 13 grams with a weight of 120 grams for a 100mm stem, but that's an awful small difference for the price. There is also some additional stiffness and better vibration reduction possible with carbon but that's not why it makes sense for some people.

In most situations, this is an emotional purchase. It's all about matching the style and looking great on your bike. That's okay, those are important considerations also. Your bike is a collection of design choices that lead to high performance and there are certain pieces that make sense to keep matching. A stem is one of those pieces and the Bontrager RSL Blendr stem is a choice you won't regret making. 

Staring at your stem while making your way up yet another climb is sure to bring a bit of joy when it looks this good. The shapes are smooth and organic with elegant curves and valleys. The finish is a matte black that somehow manages to ward off fingerprints that are common to finishes of this style. It's not completely impervious but it's not a magnet either. From the top, these are the features you will spend time staring at.  

Off the bike, you can take in the other details. Sitting in contrast to the matte black is glossy, bronze, metallic text. On either side is a large RSL wordmark while the underside displays the text "Race Shop Limited." The text on the sides reads in the same direction so keep that in mind if you are considering switching the direction of the 7-degree angle. On the other hand, if you were to swap it, you'd have the pleasure of regularly seeing the elegant typesetting of the otherwise hidden "Race Shop Limited" text. 

At the front of the stem are the pieces that make everything the Blendr integration work. Instead of a connected faceplate the RSL stem holds the bars with a pair of bands. That leaves the centre section free for either a single, or double, Blendr mount. What you can't see is that moulded into the carbon at the top and bottom is a small space where tabs on the nylon mount fit into the stem. You'll need to remove the bars to fit the mounts but once in place they are flush and completely secure. 

Performance

The first thing you'll need to deal with is setting up the Bontrager RSL Blendr stem in a way that makes sense for you. You can run it with no mounts installed and no one would think something is missing. That's not really the point though so you'll want to think about what makes sense. 

It is actually possible to snap the Blendr mounts onto the bars without removing them. You can't fit the tabs into the pockets that secure them though and the mounts aren't secure like this. That means if you want to make a configuration change you've got to remove the bars. Not a huge deal but it will mean getting out your torque wrench and getting the angle of the bars just right again. 

This is further complicated by the fact that you have to choose between a double and single base mount. In the box you only get the mono base but if you'd like to mount two accessories, you'll need the duo base. That means if you want both a light and a computer at the same time, or a computer and a camera is another possibility, then you'll need to make another purchase.

Once you've made a choice of base everything from that point bolts on without much trouble. You'll have a Garmin high mount and an ion mount on hand without any extra purchases. There are some details about those pieces though. The Ion mount is too short to work with the Ion Pro RT so expect to use that with the Ion 200 RT. Meanwhile, the Garmin mount will put the computer up above the bars and there is no Wahoo mount available. If you want to keep the computer in front of the bars you can flip the base so the mount is lower but that only works for a single accessory and won't fit a 1030 series Garmin. If you want to run Wahoo you'll want to either pick up the Garmin mount adapter from them or look for a third-party Blendr mount. 

For most people this dance of figuring out how to make things work isn't going to be an ongoing problem. It's rare to switch computers and if you think through how things are going to fit before torquing down the bars you'll find something that works. It does pose a problem for occasional use of a light though. You'd need the Duo base to run a light but many people only sometimes run a light. In that scenario adding a light would require removing the handlebars or leaving the Duo installed and ruining the clean look you were after. 

Assuming you find the setup that works for your needs though, it does work. The first ride I took it on took me on a 27-mile road ride before getting to the gravel. The road offers the possibility of small but high frequency vibration. Although the larger tyres I was running certainly helped, there was no issue with a vibrating computer. As I took to the gravel trail things remained steady but that wasn't the real test. 

The real test was not expected. The gravel loop was 44 miles and a good portion of that was relatively smooth. That was all expected but as I climbed, I eventually turned off onto a logging road. I continued to climb and this is when the weather changed. When it began to snow I was under dressed and things got scary for a little while. For the next thirteen miles I descended on rough logging roads as quickly as I could. 

There was no careful picking of lines. Instead, crashing through big cuts and holes in the road was how things went. My dexterity was low and I wasn't thinking clearly plus I was moving faster than I should have been. More than once I wondered if I'd damaged a wheel but through it all my computer was rock solid. It never drooped and certainly never fell. If the Blendr mount survived that, it'll survive anything. 

The way that Bontrager implements its mount isn't the best solution. The Enve carbon stem is a product with a similar concept but it uses a single mount and connects it to an aluminium K-edge computer mount. The K-edge mount means the computer is down low, there's tons of adapters available, and there's a GoPro mount underneath for lights or cameras. You don't have to remove the bars if you don't want to run a light and also keep everything looking clean and tidy. 

That consideration might be a secondary thought though. A carbon stem is already an emotional purchase and the Bontrager RSL stem is beautiful. If you'd like to stick with Bontrager to match your bike, or your handlebars, then you aren't losing out. It just might mean you have to work a little harder to find the configuration that works for you. 

Tech Specs: Bontrager RSL Blendr Stem

• Price: £239.99 / $288.99 / €289.99 / AU$399.99
• Rise: 7 deg
• Available Length: 70mm-140mm
• Weight: 120g for 100mm length

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Josh hails from the Pacific Northwest of the United States but would prefer riding through the desert than the rain. He will happily talk for hours about the minutiae of cycling tech but also has an understanding that most people just want things to work. He is a road cyclist at heart and doesn't care much if those roads are paved, dirt, or digital. Although he rarely races, if you ask him to ride from sunrise to sunset the answer will be yes. Height: 5'9" Weight: 140 lb. Rides: Salsa Warbird, Cannondale CAAD9, Enve Melee, Look 795 Blade RS, Priority Continuum Onyx

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• Aeolus RSL VR-C Handlebar/Stem

Bontrager Aeolus RSL VR-C Handlebar/Stem

An integrated bar and stem combo that cleanly and securely holds cables for a refined look and added aerodynamics. Save watts, ride faster This aero upgrade cleans up your cockpit by securely storing cables for a refined look and free speed. The Aeolus RSL bar/stem combo is proven in the wind tunnel to save 7 watts, making it 10% faster than its predecessor. It's light, fast, easy to install, and Blendr-compatible for seamless integration of your light or Garmin. Product details - OCLV Carbon construction is ultra-light, compliant, and durable - Integrated bar/stem design improves aerodynamics and saves weight - Proven in the wind tunnel to save 7 watts, making it 10 % faster than its predecessor - Integrated cable management system held secure with M4 hex bolt, 5Nm torque - Variable Radius Compact (VR-C) design allows longer reach and drop - Includes Blendr mono and duo bases with mounts for Ion light and Garmin computer - Approved for use with carbon or alloy steerer

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• Aeolus RSL VR-C Handlebar/Stem

Bontrager Aeolus RSL VR-C Handlebar/Stem

An integrated bar and stem combo that cleanly and securely holds cables for a refined look and added aerodynamics. Save watts, ride faster This aero upgrade cleans up your cockpit by securely storing cables for a refined look and free speed. The Aeolus RSL bar/stem combo is proven in the wind tunnel to save 7 watts, making it 10% faster than its predecessor. It's light, fast, easy to install, and Blendr-compatible for seamless integration of your light or Garmin. Product details - OCLV Carbon construction is ultra-light, compliant, and durable - Integrated bar/stem design improves aerodynamics and saves weight - Proven in the wind tunnel to save 7 watts, making it 10 % faster than its predecessor - Integrated cable management system held secure with M4 hex bolt, 5Nm torque - Variable Radius Compact (VR-C) design allows longer reach and drop - Includes Blendr mono and duo bases with mounts for Ion light and Garmin computer - Approved for use with carbon or alloy steerer

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First Look: Bontrager RSL Integrated Bar & Stem

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Bontrager Aeolus RSL VR-C Handlebar/Stem

Review: bontrager aeolus rsl vr-c handlebar/stem.

• OCLV Carbon construction. Trek has been using this techique for years now and from this product it seems that really have it down.
• Integrated bar/stem design improves aerodynamics and saves weight: Yes saving weight is a good thing. And more aero means cleaner as well. they claim that it is a 10% improvement than the previous version.
• Integrated cable management system held secure with M4 hex bolt, 5Nm torque. Trek did a really good job at routing the cables on this one. Looks like som actual thought when into it.
• the bar come in 15 differnt options. Most companies only offer a few.
• Includes Blendr mono and duo bases with mounts for Ion light and Garmin computer: This is really nice how they made the mounts for the computer aero and you can have a light or a cam option as well.
• Approved for use with carbon or alloy steerer

We Didn't Like

So the bars are not perfect and we do have a couple of suggestions to imrove upon this bar.

The cabel routing the bar is cool but there needs to be a retaining clip system that keeps the cabels in place.

Next we felt that in the drops that the bars pointed down and that was a little weird for us. Its such a advanced system that we would like to see the drops not round but more of a ergonomic grip style.

The Final Say

So what do we think of the bars? We love them.. They are not without some drawbacks but they are minor in comparison to how much we enjoy them. One thing that I did not not mention that I noticed was how stiff they were. This system is significantly stiffer than other bar stem combinations that I have tried. The bar is clean and aero offering a savings of 7 watts just on its own. We love how the cable routing is easier than other aero bars and how the box includes all of the attachments you need to mount a computer, lights or your GoPro. You will also use less bar tape in the process as well. We would like to see the evolution of this bar to include an ergonomic grip on the drops and some kind of retention clip system for the cables that go under the bar. Overall these are minor little details, Well done Trek

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Nothing rounds out a nice build like a slick integrated bar/stem combination. I say slick because some look great and others, well, they look like a futuristic component slapped on a DeLorean. The real craft is the bar/stem combo adding to the look and performance of the bike, not just a clump of carbon to the front end.

Bontrager’s newest addition to its cross country and trail lineup is both a performance and aesthetics upgrade. The RSL (Race-Shop-Limited) MTB bar combines the structural knowledge from the Aeolus RSL Road Bar and Bontrager XXX MTB handlebars to create a crazy cool piece of kit.

Bontrager RSL MTB Bar

The RSL MTB Bar combines Trek OCLV carbon and the most recent Bontrager MTB bar dimensions to deliver a clean and stiff bar design. The smooth, understated flat carbon palette and classic design allow this bar to match many machines. It’s not only for cross country racers either; the RSL MTB is available in many different configurations to satisfy the spandex and baggy crowd.

The XC RSL bar/stem arrives with an uber pro-13 deg stem. The 750mm bar has a 0 deg rise, 8 deg backsweep, 5 deg upsweep, perfect for those looking for the most aggressive setup. Stem lengths for the XC version are available in 70, 80, and 90mm — very similar to others on the market.

If – 13 is a bit much for you, the new RSL MTB bar/stem comes in a 0 deg stem rise and a 27.5mm bar rise. The trail version comes with a 35 or 45mm stem length, a 7 deg back sweep with 6 deg upsweep, and 820mm overall bar width. This dimension should be a popular version with the trail crowd and those looking for more adjustability on their ride.

The Bontrager RSL MTB bar/stem comes with a Knock Block (for Trek compatible bikes) and standard adapters. Computer, camera, and light mounting come via a minor fitting on the front of the bar that quickly takes Bontrager Blendr accessories.

These mounts are available aftermarket and do not come with the unit like the road version. The hardware is all titanium (excluding the Blendr mount) and is independent of the carbon for long wear and strip-out forgiveness.

If you’re looking to make a custom width by trimming the bars down — the RSL MTBs have friendly easy-to-follow cut guides and graphics that help you dial in shifter and brake lever positions. For those wondering, the overall weight for the RSL MTB in a 90mm/750mm XC version is 257g including both adapters — very competitive and lighter than many we’ve found.

The RSL MTB isn’t Bontrager’s first foray in the MTB bar/stem combo — the brand released a short-lived XXX MTB bar stem combo in 2014. This combo was only available in a 660mm width/110mm stem/-7deg — boy, have times changed.

Ride impressions

Installation and dialing in a bar have never been more simple for me — mainly because there is no over obsessing around the angle of the bar. It’s set — there’s nothing you can do about it — liberating in a way. The only real adjustment that you can play with is the number of spacers for your fit.

If you want or have the Knock Block set up, simply add the fitting for that configuration. If not, use the small shim when you install, and you’re ready to go.

I usually ride a -6 deg stem, and a -13 seemed to be a big jump, but I typically ride with the stem all the way slammed. Winging it — I added a 5mm spacer and felt fine, I’m not saying this is right, but it works great for me.

The overall look and feel of the RSL MTB is all pro; when you’re riding and see a single piece of integrated carbon — it looks fast. The way Bontrager styled the bars can match any bike set up, and the gold decals are a nice break from the over-styled neon that’s currently in fashion.

Going from a traditional bar/stem setup, I can feel a difference in the front end. This could be because of the beefier clamp, or because of the sculpted junction from stem to bar — or because my bike looked much faster. Either way, I like the way the front end feels and the bar angle is right on the money.

The fact the bar didn’t arrive with a Blendr accessory mount did bum me out a bit — if you’re paying $350 for a bar, I’m guessing you’re using a computer to track your rides. I also understand that many mountain bikers use steerer tube computer mounts, and I believe that to be a better choice after exploring the Blendr mounts.

The mount attaches with a tiny 2.5mm fitting and could snap when (if you’re like me) a crash eventually takes the bike down. I believe the front mount would be best used for a small Blendr compatible light, not a Garmin 1030 plus or larger computer unit. But also, I don’t have the Blendr mounts to say for sure.

Overall the ride and the performance of the Bontrager RSL MTB bar/stem are top-notch. I have zero complaints about the dimensions and the aesthetics take your ride from Cat 3 to Euro-Pro faster than you can say Evie Richards .

There was no specific mention of weight limit or warranty, but Bontrager’s Unconditional Guarantee seems to go pretty far these days. So I’m sure if you had an issue, they would be able to help.

Price and availability

The Bontrager RSL MTB stem/bar retails for $350 in all sizes and setups. The price is very competitive. It’s even more competitive with a combination of Bontrager’s current high-end Kovee XXX bar ($180) and stem ($275), making them seem like an unnecessary expense. Maybe Bontrager is looking to phase out the separate super high-end bars and stems for mtb?

If you’re looking to purchase a set or lay hands on them, select Trek retailers and Bontrager.com have them on the shelves and ready to ship.

Jordan Villella is the Racing Tech Editor for BikeRumor.com, specializing in cross-country mountain, gravel, road, and cyclocross. He has written about bicycles and bike culture for over fifteen years with no signs of stopping.

Before BikeRumor, Jordan raced professionally and wrote for MTBR and the now-defunct Dirt Rag Magazine. He’s covered the World Championships, World Cups, and everything in between — where he loves to report what people are riding.

Based in Pittsburgh, PA,  Jordan coaches cyclists of all abilities with  Cycle-Smart ; you can find him racing bikes around North America and adventuring with his family.

For an inside look at his review rides follow him on Strava .

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Looks very trick, but is essentially the same weight as a regular stem and carbon bar combination without the adjustability or the ability to just replace the handle bar should it be damaged in a crash.

It’s still a bit lighter than a regular bar/stem combo if you do the math. An Enve M6 combo weighs about 45g more and isn’t as wide.

ENVE components are pigs when it comes to weight. especially for the price. Every ones favorite Kalloy Uno stem and a decent carbon bar would be way less expensive and lighter and offer more adjustability/options than this combo.

Lol you can’t compare ENVE items when doing the math. ENVE stuff is notorious for being heavy…

Gemini Propus ~ 150g Scott Fraser ~ 220g Darimo combo ~ way lighter Extralite + any decent carbon bar ~ way lighter

Sure but you also have to take into account how much the RSL costs compared to an Extralite stem and a high end carbon bar. $350 for the RSL vs $204 for the Extralite HyperStem and $175 for a Renthal FatBar Carbon equals $379. I know it’s close but it’s still more expensive, and the benefits of a 1-piece carbon bar and stem extend beyond just the weight.

Like spending anothe $350 if you want a 10mm shorter or longer stem? Sounds like a great benefit

Why would you change your stem length? Fit is fit.

Injury, increase in fitness and flexibility, decrease in fitness and flexibility, switching components to a new frame, drivetrain component change or buying a stock bike with stock length cockpit and needing something different. I am sure none of these ever happen to people though.

differing opinions can be scary. I hope you find peace.

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Mountain Bike Magazine

[Tested] Bontrager RSL MTB Handlebar/Stem

A few months back, Bontrager sent us a rather interesting Race Shop Limited one-piece cockpit for testing. Made from carbon fiber, the setup integrates a handlebar and stem into one sleek package with titanium hardware, an accessory mount and Knock Block compatibility. Read on to see how the RSL handlebar/stem combo has been working out for us…

• OCLV Carbon fiber
• 820mm width X 45mm length X 27.5mm rise – *other sizes available, see below…
• Titanium hardware
• Knock Block and standard headset compatible
• Trail / Enduro rated

An interesting aspect to the RSL bar/stem is just how broad the handlebar section is as it nears the stem area. The upsweep and backsweep are not listed and therefore hard to gauge, but I found both to be quite comfortable. Unsurprisingly, they felt a lot like a standard (read: standalone) handlebar offerings from Bontrager that I’ve ridden in the past.

You can use the “Blendr” integration at the front to mount a light, computer, GoPro, etc. I appreciated that when not in use, you can barely see the tiny little grub screw…Slick!

In addition to the 45mm length, the trail version is also available in the same width, but with a shorter 35mm length stem. As you can see above, there are three XC versions also available as well.

The RSL bar/stem has titanium hardware and metal inserts with the torque specs displayed clearly at the back of the stem.

An aluminum insert fills in negative space at the front of the steerer tube. You can also see the Knock Block sections ready for use with that system on Treks. The setup ships with an additional special spacer that mates to the Knock Block insert while also filling that forward space just like the aluminum spacer pictured above..

The specs are clearly indicated and there are nice little hash marks for trimming the width should you choose. I knocked my setup down to my go-to width of 800mm.

This setup was about 270 grams before I knocked 5mm off of each end. For a frame of reference this is about a half pound lighter than a similarly sized and decent grade aluminum bar/stem combo that I weighed at home.

On the trail

Starting with setup, the first thing I noticed is that this little unit is a breeze to install as it doesn’t require tightening a stem faceplate or setting your handlebar roll. The downside to this is that you *can’t set your bar roll – however, I found that it felt very comfortable right out of the gate and I wouldn’t change a thing in terms of upsweep or backsweep angles. Props to Bontrager for going with an 820mm width as I’m sure there are some riders out there who will appreciate it. As someone who is fairly happy with standard 800mm width bars I gave these a quick trim and was pleased to take advantage of the hash marks which assisted with that process. The bronze-ish graphics played very nicely with the TRP brakes and SRAM Eagle bits on my bike without being over the top or garish, so props on that as well.

On trail I found the RSL handlebar/stem combo to be quite comfortable. It didn’t strike me as overly stiff, nor freakishly compliant. Rather, it was simply an afterthought – which is fine by me as that meant I was comfortable and focused on the trail ahead. Interestingly enough at the time that this unit arrived I wasn’t feeling all that happy with a 40mm or 50mm stem on the bike I mounted it to, so the 45mm length was warmly welcomed. I think it was a safe call on Bontrager’s part to offer 35mm and 45mm as their single two options. That should cover a lot of ground for most riders in the Trail to Enduro segment that the RSL combo is rated for. So far I haven’t had any devastatingly bad crashes, but I have had a few get offs and OTBs with no damage and no slipping going on either. With all of that in mind, if you’re super hung up on getting a very tight clamp on your steerer and avoiding slipping at all costs, you’ll likely want to stick with an aluminum stem that offers higher torque figures compared to this and other carbon setups.

All in all, this is a cool one piece cockpit for those who don’t mind dropping a decent chunk of coin to shed some grams and streamline their front end at the same time. While the weight savings is substantial – certainly nothing to scoff at – the price is fairly steep. It’s worth considering that a high end two piece carbon fiber bar and aluminum stem combo would come in at roughly $50-$100 more. However, it wouldn’t provide as much weight savings. In any case, this is a sweet piece of kit. That it nicely integrates with Knock Block and has a clean accessory mount are also bonuses.

www.trekbikes.com

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Coordinates of elektrostal in degrees and decimal minutes, utm coordinates of elektrostal, geographic coordinate systems.

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Geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) define a position on the Earth’s surface. Coordinates are angular units. The canonical form of latitude and longitude representation uses degrees (°), minutes (′), and seconds (″). GPS systems widely use coordinates in degrees and decimal minutes, or in decimal degrees.

Latitude varies from −90° to 90°. The latitude of the Equator is 0°; the latitude of the South Pole is −90°; the latitude of the North Pole is 90°. Positive latitude values correspond to the geographic locations north of the Equator (abbrev. N). Negative latitude values correspond to the geographic locations south of the Equator (abbrev. S).

Longitude is counted from the prime meridian ( IERS Reference Meridian for WGS 84) and varies from −180° to 180°. Positive longitude values correspond to the geographic locations east of the prime meridian (abbrev. E). Negative longitude values correspond to the geographic locations west of the prime meridian (abbrev. W).

UTM or Universal Transverse Mercator coordinate system divides the Earth’s surface into 60 longitudinal zones. The coordinates of a location within each zone are defined as a planar coordinate pair related to the intersection of the equator and the zone’s central meridian, and measured in meters.

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Elektrostal , Moscow Oblast, Russia