Handlebar, Seatpad & Headrest Modification

[.]

I plan to make 3 minor changes on my Vendetta.

I am going to lower my hand position slightly by using a modified Deda drop bullhorn. To use the bullhorn I have to make it a bit longer. I will mill 2 aluminum extensions to add a bit of length and keep my arms extended. Cables will be internally routed the same as the Vendetta handlebar.

For the seat pad I am going to use 1" wide strips of adhesive back Zeote foam that can be precision cut to depth of 3 - 10 mm. By using Zeote strips I can create a curved seat pad with lumbar support that locks my body position into the seat.

The 3rd modification will reduce the headrest angle to recline my head slightly. I will bend 2 pieces of 6061 aluminum tubing and bond the top section with a carbon fiber insert. I want to get my head positioned in a slightly less upright angle.

My goal is to eventually use the Vendetta for 40k road time trials. The changes are just minor fine tuning of my riding position. I truly believe the bike has a lot of potential. Very high caliber design.

 

[Nanda Holz]

Please post pix as you make

Please post pix as you make progress in your mods eh.

 

[psychling]

Pix and bullhorns

Mr. V ...

You wrote: "I am going to lower my hand position slightly by using a modified Deda drop bullhorn. To use the bullhorn I have to make it a bit longer. I will mill 2 aluminum extensions to add a bit of length and keep my arms extended. Cables will be internally routed the same as the Vendetta handlebar ."

Yes. Please do post pics. The current handlebars with the internal cabling limit the forward angle at which they are pitched. Will your bullhorns allow for a more forward angle? Will your bullhorns be set with the handlegrips `up' or `down?' If you extend the handlebars ... how much width will you be adding?

- Dan

Dan Fallon
http://psychling1.blogspot.com/

 

[admin]

let your body get with it

Hi Mr V and hi Dan,

The bars tend to raise the arms, I know that, but it is intended. In my testing of the V, I found that if I lowered my hands, the arms would lose their pependicularity with the body and I was not able to access the same power, I felt weak. I had a prototype with the bull horns with extensions added that you have described. I would lower the grips to get better aero, and then not keep up with my benchmark riding buddy. Then I would lift them and he'd say: "don't you think they should be lower" ...

So this question has been considered in depth. No part of the V design is an afterthought, each element of the design has been considered prototyped and reconsidered - this design was two years in the making, so I encourage you to have faith in what I have specified, or at least give a lengthy test period to let your body get with it.

Note on bar end shifters. The left and right shifter bodies need to be switched (first 10 assembled bikes only) so the cable path through the body is aligned correctly.

John

 

[admin]

headrest adjustments

That's not to say I am not interested in your finding and improvements.

Mr V. Can the headrest be lowered by packing out the upper attachment bolts? You will need for this some nylon washers and longer M5 bolts. What extension on the headrest do you have presently? Have you tried the upper set of bolt holes? (You can remove the lower clamps and position them on the two holes right at the top of the seat back.)

 

[.]

Hi John,
As you suggest I

Hi John,
As you suggest I will ride with bars you designed. In due time, I will try a modified bullhorn. I am in no rush to change anything as I am still in the setup process.

Excellent suggestion with changing the bolts for the headrest. I will give this a try.

Thanks!

 

[.]

Dan,
I will post a photo

Dan,
I will post a photo sometime in the future. I have to mill extensions on a lathe to alter the bullhorn. No width change. Same length and reach as the Vendetta bars. Only difference is my fore arms will not contact the bar with the drop curve.

BTW, I read your latest blog post. Very interesting. There are some killer grades on my training routes and RWD is not making it easy. Too much power loss and friction with the bent chainline/idler. Definitley looking forward to riding the Vendetta up the grades.

 

[Nanda Holz]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/spincyclz/5838723810/in/photostream

Here are some photo's of one customers Vendetta, that wanted to use his Ultegra brifters on a WTB bar. I looks like the hood hand position is close to were the bullhorns would be, and he has a couple other hand positions to play with...though not as aero as the bullhorns overall.