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Where do I start? The packaging of the B2 handlebar and
145 stem was impressive to say the least. Zipp is well known within the road
cycling and triathlon communities as the fast wheels to have, but to receive a
full carbon handlebar and stem... What was going on here? Zipp has been developing other go-fast
products like the B2 handlebar and 145 Stem. Zipp has been pushing hard developing
and promoting a “Dimple Technology” system within their aero wheel sets. To my amazement, I received a small
glimpse of what the dimples may look like right inside that box from Zipp on
what looked like a small cookie tin that the 145 carbon stem was packaged
within. Inside the tin was a nearly
flawless carbon stem with four titanium faceplate bolts, an aluminum faceplate,
and a carbon steer tube cap that when put together creates an amazing looking
piece of bike gold. Along side of
the 120 mm X 26.0 mm Zipp 145 stem was a very impressive 42-cm (outside to
outside) X 26.0 mm Zipp B2 carbon handlebar (more bike gold). The bar was within a red and yellow
nylon sock / sleeve that said speed at first glance. The ZIPP B2 carbon
handlebar is a full carbon handlebar with VCLC (Viscoelastic Constrained Layer
Control) technology that helps control vibrations caused by rough roads and
minimizes harsh shock waves caused by larger road hazards, i.e. potholes. I, of course, had to find out if VCLC
worked or not. The perfect test was
to just ride down my driveway to get to smooth pavement. You see I live down a quarter-mile
dirt/gravel road in rural Besides seeing the VCLC
labeling on the top of the handlebar, I noticed the aero shape of the handlebar
top. Not as deep as many other aero
one-piece carbon/bar systems, the Zipp B2 handlebar was functionally aero and
comfortable for climbing on the tops of the handlebar. Along with the parabolic tops, there is
no round part to the handlebar except the clamp area. Under the aero section were nicely
formed cable grooves. The grooves
were perfectly formed to help keep the aero flow to the handlebar and a riding
comfort without cables being in the way when wrapped with bar tape. Although I was experienced at wrapping
bar tape, the aero sections proved to be a welcome challenge, but all was well
when finished. Along with the aero
section with its cable grooves, the handlebar has 20 mm of clamping space for
levers allowing the perfect brake lever placement for each rider’s needs /
preference. Thus, allowing a
variety of hand positions within the drops, hoods, and top of the bar. The only drawback to the aero shape of
the handlebar tops is that it does not allow clip-on aero bars used by many in
time trials and draft legal triathlons/duathlons. After racing the
handlebar in races that included long climbs, short and long sprints, criteriums
with and without cobbles, and fast long hauls in the drops, I would have to say
that the Zipp B2 carbon handlebar is a must have for the serious racer and
cyclist alike. Get ready, however, to fork out about $250. I would recommend using the B2 handlebar
with Zipp’s 145 carbon stem as a total package. The Zipp 145 carbon stem
is even more impressive than the B2 handlebar. The lay-up of the carbon is so
impressive that I hated to use the stem on my bicycle because of the stem’s
beauty. The stem had such a clean lay-up of carbon that there were few if any
rough places or carbon burrs on the stem.
It was 99.9% flawless! To
complement the clean look of the carbon, Zipp included a forged aluminum
faceplate that is mounted with Italian-manufactured 6Al/4V titanium bolt
kits. Along with a good look, the
faceplate has a perfectly matched curvature to the Zipp B2 handlebar’s clamping
area to create a clean and very strong clamp that does not move when properly
tightened.
I got a chance to look
at the 31.8-mm oversized version of the stem. At first, I was caught off guard by the
massive looking profile of the 31.8-mm stem. The oversized stem looked as if it would
swallow the handlebar. I never got
to look at the oversized bar, but if the stem was any indication, the setup
would have been super stiff.
The 26.0-mm stem was very impressive. The VCLC technology that was in the B2
handlebar was also present in the 145 stem. Unfortunately, it was not as noticeable
in the stem. The stem was super
stiff when doing any kind of out-of-saddle climbing or sprinting, and it was
noticeably less forgiving than my stock Giant Bicycles carbon/aluminum stem on
open roads. The wider width of the
clamping area created a very secure and stiff system when torsion forces were
demanded. When used with the B2
handlebar, the 145 stem dampened most of the road vibrations that I
encountered. The 145 stem also came
with a shim so that it may be used with one-inch steering tubes or 1 1/8-inch
steering tubes. The clamp has
opposing bolts to reduce the stress on one side or the other, which creates an
even clamping load on the stem and the fork steering tube. Zipp also included a rear clamp seal to
finish the stem with a very clean and sleek look. All in all, I have to say that the Zipp
145 stem is an impressive stem. I
would definitely recommend using the 145 stem with the B2 handlebar as a
two-piece system to create a pro level ride. However, be ready to fork out around
$150 for the stem, making the total system price near
$400. My final impression of
the Zipp B2 handlebar and 145 stem combination is a very good one. Zipp has
succeeded at creating a system that looks amazingly great and function better
than anything I have ever used. Zipp has carried the attention to functional
details and beauty of their proven wheels over to the B2 handlebar and 145
stem. Visit ZIPP online at www.zipp.com. 
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