If you're looking to build a really, really light mountain bike, you might be interested in Gemini's new Wässat handlebar that's said to weigh just 99 grams in a 740mm width. That's so few grams that they're calling it, "
the lightest XC handlebar in the world," a claim that I can't refute after almost five minutes of Googling. If you haven't heard of Gemini, they're a Spanish brand that sells just four different handlebars, all of which are made in Barcelona and none of which are very heavy.
And if your Spanish handlebar isn't exotic enough, you can click the 'Configure' button on the website to customize the build and the price. The Wässat sells for 219,9 € consumer direct and custom options will cost an additional 100 € and go up from there. That's less than the 537,19 € one-piece Pröpus, but
their Instagram page is full of wild-looking custom-painted one-piece handlebars that definitely cost even more.
Wässat details• Intended use: Cross-country
• Material: Carbon fiber
• XC or DC (+25g) carbon layup options
• Width: 740mm (680 - 800mm custom)
• Up / back sweep: 5° / 7°
• Diameter: 31.8mm
• Weight: Starting at 99 grams
• MSRP: 219,9€
• More info:
www.ridegemini.com Light but stiff but compliantThe first thing to know is that this is actually Gemini's most normal handlebar – the others are all one-piece carbon fiber stem and handlebar combos, including the Pröpus that's two pictures down. The Wässat is basically the non-integrated version of the Pröpus, with the same 5° of upsweep and 7° of back sweep, but with a 31.8mm clamp area to let riders adjust the roll and combine it with any stem they want. Just as long as it's light and expensive, of course.
It also uses the same 'GMN' shaping as the Pröpus, which are oval sections between the stem clamp and the controls. We've seen this before, and the idea is to allow for a bit of vertical compliance while, "
the stiffness of the handlebar against turning forces exerted by the pilot gets dramatically increased." I've used handlebars of similar shape in the past and haven't been convinced of the benefits, but they were all much heavier than the Wässat; it seems to me that an ultra-light handlebar would benefit more from this approach than one with nearly twice as much carbon, but that's only me armchair engineering.
Speaking of carbon, Gemini says that they use Mitsubishi MR70, and also that, "
the Wässat is made of high-end carbon fiber, with an intermediate module and produced in Europe, developed to satisfy the most demanding clientele of the aerospace industry."
Custom everythingSince Gemini is building these things in-house with their own molds and bladders, and in relatively small numbers, they can also make you a custom version of any of their handlebars. The standard width for the Wässat is 740mm, which makes sense given its cross-country intentions, but you can ask for anywhere between 680mm and 800mm, as well with either a unidirectional carbon or a 12k weave. Next up, the water-transfer decals, which are white or whatever color you want, obviously, go on under either a classic gloss finish or a matte job that comes with a barely acceptable 1.9-gram weight penalty.
There are also two completely different carbon laminates to choose from; the Ultra-lightweight is the, ugh, ultra-light one, and comes with a 90kg / 198lb weight limit, while the Performance version cutoff isn't until 120kg / 264lb. Gemini says that the latter comes with a 25-gram weight penalty.
What's with the name? "
Wässat is a star of the constellation Geminis, and like all our products, all of them are named after stars of this constellation."
What do you make of Gemini's handlebars? Personally, I'm probably not the guy for a 99-gram handlebar but, given that there's no shortage of less expensive or burlier options out there, I'm glad that it exists in the same way as that 3D-printed titanium stem for a few months back.
-Titanic Bank Account
-Thick Billfolds Accepted
-Takes Bread, Amateurs
-Tantalizes Baller Anesthesiologists
-Trouble’s Brewing Ahead (if the wife finds out)
High price for carbon bars where you can choose shiny or no-shiny? Hard pass.
Schmolke,MCFK,AX-Lightness and others in this category all go for double or more.
That's my new carbon handlebar from Gemini
A bit prompus don't you think?
So in that regard, a regular dude weighing 100kg can be just as close or closer to the “snap limit” as I would be at 75kg with a 90kg max handlebar. But no one ever worries in that case.
Also, part of the beauty of with these nice boutique manufacturers like Gemini, Darimo, Schmolke etc is that you can simply ask them for stronger in general, reinforced clamping areas, reinforced bar ends etc and they’ll make you a one-off carbon layup just for you. And it’ll still be lighter than almost everything else out there.
Still, not for everyone or course - but food for thought when it comes to the discussions!
And bike components are not typically made to aerospace standards. Heck in aerospace you typically have any sort of silicon banned from the whole facility to avoid any sort of contamination, and in the bike industry everyone seems to love silicone bladders. I'd bet you with the proper resources one could make an enduro bike at half the weight without losing anything in terms of durability...
Personally I prefer a product, where the maker gives a concrete weight limit instead of just providing a standard value that their Chinese subcontractor uses for all their products…
If someone is actually looking for a handle bar like this, and is willing to spend this kind of money on it, those small manufacturers like Schmolke or Gemini will often even offer to provide an individual layup for your bar to address any stability doubts you might have.
Are you implying that a carbon handlebar is inherently weak? Not the case from today's reputable brands (I've run chromag, deity, oneup, answer) and most have the benefit of actually feeling better than an alu bar.
Also, in case you're new here, we don't downvote dangerholm.
Are you insane?
1. Where did I say carbon is weak?
2. Where did I say one material feels better than the other?
3. Where did I downvote Dangerholm?
4. What is with the "in case you're new here" kind of schtick?
@SleepingAwake
I appreciate the much more thoughtful response than the other guy. I should have articulated a bit more: I prefer carbon bars on all my bikes as the flex and vibration absorption are better than alu. However at the super high end, where it is already assumed that the best types of carbon must be used, my thinking is that, at that point it is just a matter compromise on flex vs. stiffness, rather than the discovery of a new technique that gives Gemini a substantial difference in stiffness over the other boutique brands.
And you can get a layup intended for downcountry, if you can tolerate an extra 25g ;-)
If I ever suffer a mental health crisis and build up a gravel bike, I have them saved in the basement.
Be advised on that in the future PB!
DH seem rougher than XC, but then you have larger tires, wheels, suspension, all absorving impacts before the stem and handlebars. And, of course, we should take rider´s style and technique, have a good landing and all others that will prevent massive strikes to the equipement.
For example, we all have that one friend that on the first obstacle punctures his tires and then, others that have never changed a rubber
www.schmolke-carbon.com/product/mtb-flatbar-sl-oversize-48-74-cm
fun facts: you can choose how easy they will break when picking your rider weight
But still I am glad that people are trying to make bikes lighter, not heavier!!!!! And the price is actually not out of bounds. My Renthal carbon bar, at almost twice the weight, is now unfortunately in the same price range.
For most of us, it’s Outside the real of relevance. Just saying…..
What a strange comment to make. Just because it's not for you or even most of us doesn't mean that some people don't find it interesting. And given that I can see the viewing numbers, I know that is the case.
www.schmolke-carbon.com/product/mtb-flatbar-tlo-oversize
C´mong guys, this is 2023, look at the high end aeropacial/F1 materials we are using on a "simple" bike handlebar, manufactured by a specialized company, it handles (pun intended) the job!
Climbing gear, for example, is tested to breaking and has the breaking strength printed on. That is clear and simple,and allows comparison between brands.
In mtb, weight limits can't be compared because they are a result of a fight between the legal and the marketing departments, it just depends on how many warranty (or court) cases they are willing to handle.
It would be cool to test a whole bunch of bars to see what their break strength is and how that correlates with the weight limit.
It's one or the other.
Intended use: gapers at trailheads
Material: enough money to spend a week or 2 in BC
Coffee shop or bike path runs
Open up wide when entering your CC number
Lousy up and backsweep numbers
$310 or more diameter
All of your cash are belong to us
Go back to looking at the old weight weenies archived pages wanker
Weight -who cares you gaper manatee
Written in extended Haiku style
Alone and angry
No one listens
Mom, when is dinner?