KCNC SC Force handlebar

KCNC are best known for their super-slinky drilled out bits but the SC Force handlebar is a simpler beast, a fairly standard road drop made from T-7451 Scandium alloy that's light and comfy, and not too pricy either.

Our test sample was an oversized 31.8mm bar in a 44cm width, which should by rights be the heaviest one that KCNC do. However, at 216g it's competing with some pretty high end kit out there in terms of weight, and at £61.99 you'd hardly say it was über-expensive: similarly feathery carbon offerings will cost you at least twice as much. I've had the bars fitted to my bike for a test period that's included a 200km audax and plenty of shorter rides, and I've found the bars to be a good mix of stiffness and comfort.

They lean more towards comfort, especially on the drops where you notice the give in the thin walls the most. The weight saving does mean they're not as stiff as heavier bars but you feel it more as give than as flex; I'm pretty chunky at 96kg and I never felt that they were too flexy. They're not for you if you're a beefy sprinter but for more general riding they're a very likeable bar. I tend towards a compact drop these days but I didn't find the 145mm drop too deep and the semi-anatomic flatter section on the bend gives a good position for reaching the levers on descents.

Verdict

If you're looking for a light handlebar – or a comfortable one – then you'll spend a lot of money for a 215g Carbon one, and the KCNC offers a comfy ride and light weight for a shade over £60