Aussie Cameron Meyer took victory in the 2010 world track championships points race last night (24 March) riding a new handlebar from 3T called the Sphinx. This handlebar, which combines a UCI regulations-compliant aerofoil top section with the lower bend of the Ergosum, was designed in consultation with Meyer and is named after the “wide-aero” hand position adopted by many riders during non-sprinting sections of the points race.
The bar is the work of 3T technical director Richard McAinsh: “We know Cameron through Team Garmin-Transitions. He saw how well Bradley Wiggins went on the Zefiro handlebar at the Giro and thought a ‘bar like that would work well for him. He explained how he rides the points race, alternating between level high speed and all-out sprinting. We saw the chance to use a new UCI-compliant aerofoil we were developing.”
Commenting on the design of the new SPHINX, Ing. McAinsh said “The main driver of the design was to get the aerofoil section inside the UCI’s 3:1 gauge.”
In the Sphinx design, the ‘wingtips’ of the aerofoil meet the upper part of the round-section drops, which are slightly tilted up at the juncture, allowing the rider to hook his wrists inside the bend. The vertical section of the ‘bend’ is flattened into an aerofoil section before joining the conventional round-section bottoms which provide a hand hold for the sprint.
The Sphinx is one of a new range of track bars from 3T that will be available on the market from mid-2010. Says McAinsh; “Our handlebar is designed very carefully for its intended purpose, but it’s not a custom product. Like everything we do, it’s developed for sale.
“We believe our new Pista series will rival the performance of [the GB track team’s] custom equipment. It won’t be cheap, but at least you will be able to buy it. We think that levels out the playing field.”
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