Merit Rodla Looped Carbon Handlebar review

Merit is a Czechian company specialising in making carbon frames and wheels for the gravel cycling market and now, it has added the Rodla handlebar to the range. This looped bar gives plenty of hand position choices and the overall shape that is fantastic. But while stiffness in bike components is often embraced, it does have an impact on the comfort of these bars.

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Merit Rodla Looped Carbon Handlebar – Technical details

The Merit Rodla looped bar is available in three widths; 440mm, 460mm and 480mm, which all share the same reach, drop and flare figures. The width on these bars is measured centre to centre (hoods) and other geometry stats include a 25-degree flare (meaning the drops are wider than the hoods) and reasonably low 110mm drop from the tops to the drops and a 75mm reach.

Merit_Rodla_Handlebar_Centre.JPG, by Matt Page

The Rodla has an internal cable routing option but this only works with bikes that support routing through the stem (with the exit port nearest the stem) and not near the hoods. The flat top section has profiled areas to hide cables under the base of the bar, removing the feel of exposed cables under the handlebar bar tape. The stem-mounted routing does limit some possible options, and should you wish to use a Shimano Di2 EW-RS810 junction box you would need a much longer cable and it would likely be very tricky to feed through.

Merit_Rodla_Handlebar_Cables.JPG, by Matt Page

The choice of bar tape to test the handlebar was not ideal, as the ESI RCT bar wrap finished well short on the flat top section – and the profiled area concealing the cables was still evident and was able to feel the cables underneath.

When setting up the cable routing, the tight 90-degree bend was tricky for the cables of my Campagnolo Ekar shifters and might prove to be so for others, as well. 

Merit_Rodla_Handlebar_Fitted.jpg, by Matt Page

Merit Rodla Looped Carbon Handlebar – Performance

While riding, the shape of the bar felt nice and I would class it among the best I have used. The oval top section suits the shape of your hands when holding onto the tops. The bend to the hoods is very sharp and this allows a longer section on the tops, but still a comfortable hand position on the hoods.

Another bar that has a similar sharp bend is the Lauf Smoothie, which Pat really rated, although, in comparison, the Merit has less reach (75mm vs 80mm). While a big part of the tops is ovalised, there is still enough rounded space near the stem to mount lights, out-front computer mounts, bells or anything else.

Merit_Rodla_Handlebar_Front.JPG, by Matt Page

With a 110mm drop, 75mm reach and 25-degree flare I found the combination great for mixed on and off-road riding. It is not such a radical flare as some handlebars such as the Ritchey Beacon, and that is likely to be too extreme for most riders. The figures are very similar to the Spank Vibrocore handlebar, which is a bar with some nice features and arguably, more comfort.

While the Spank Vibrocore gives a noticeable reduction in buzz, here the Merit Rodla struggles. It is very stiff in all elements and because there is no detectable flex, overall comfort is compromised with a noticeable buzz. This was detectable even while riding with a Redshift suspension stem.

Merit_Rodla_Handlebar_Drop.JPG, by Matt Page

On faster descents, I found the sweep allowed me to ride with confidence, with no impact on speed, so long as I was able to put up with a little vibration and buzz back through the handlebar. Using a suspension stem can have a positive impact here but the vibrations can also be nullified by changing hand positions.

The loop section is a love-it-or-hate-it area for riders. It gives extra mounting space for attachments so long as you can mount to a narrower diameter section – it’s also an extra position to hold on to. Through testing, I did use it quite a bit on roads, and less technical fire roads to change up my position and even get a bit more aero at times.

For anyone who might want an alternative position for longer periods, this system lacks the arm supports that aero bars might offer – and while the concept of using aero bars on a gravel bike might seem strange, this is done for the comfort and to relieve the arms, not for speed or aerodynamics reasons. One other potential benefit of the loop is to mount a bag for extra storage, and there are some companies such as Redshift that produce them for its Kitchen Sink bar.

Merit_Rodla_Handlebar_Loop.JPG, by Matt Page

Merit Rodla Looped Carbon Handlebar – Verdict

The carbon construction means a lower weight than a similar shape aluminium style bar, and at 360g the Rodla is 120g lighter than the Redshift Kitchen Sink and 80g lighter than the Spank Vibrocore, the light weight comes at a price, with this handlebar retailing for £240. This puts it among the more expensive handlebar options you will find aimed towards gravel riding. It is still a big chunk less than some, including the ENVE G Series at a whopping £440.

With the looped section, the Merit Rodla is likely to suit a niche audience and, in many ways, it is a shame that Merit doesn’t produce a version without the loop as I really love the shape of the bars. 

This is an expensive handlebar that doesn’t offer the best levels of comfort because of the stiff carbon lay-up. But with a good bar tape and suspension stem, that buzz can be dampened and overall, I really enjoyed the shape of the Rodla and have even kept it on my bike even after the testing period.

• meritbikes.com
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