Two of the most important touch points on a bike are the saddle and the handlebars. Fi'zi:k is well known for designing saddles based on its Spine Concept Fit System. This system uses three animals: snake, chameleon, and bull to categorize riders according to the flexibility of their spines from most to least flexible. Fi'zi:k, realizing the importance that handlebars play in cockpit comfort, has taken its Spine Concept and created the Cyrano series of handlebars. The Cyrano R1 for Bull is designed for the less than flexible rider who still wants a low, race-ready position.
Fi'zi:k is well-known for its carbon braided saddle rails. Unlike the woven rails however, the Cyrano R1 was constructed of uni-directional carbon. Uni-directional carbon fiber or UNI as it is commonly called, is a method whereby the fibers are laid in one direction where forces are loaded upon their axis. It is different from the more common "jack-of-all-trades" woven carbon fiber in that the construction of the product is more dependent on the fibers being laid in the optimal direction to forces. The Cyrano R1 is available in four widths: 400mm, 420mm, 440mm, and 460mm. These widths accommodate a wide variety of riders. The reach is 75mm for the narrowest bar and 80mm for the other three, and the drop ranges from 125mm in the 400mm wide version, to 130mm in the three wider bars.
The Bull, having the least flexible spine, needs a bar that is shallow enough so that the drops are usable. The bar features a slightly shorter reach and drop than the R1 for Chameleon. Meanwhile, the drops are shaped so that the farthest point on the drops is reachable without compromising breathing or spine position. The drops of the Cyrano R1 Bull are angled from the brake hood clamp area toward the back at about a 45 degree angle (give or take a few degrees). Rather than having to reach far beneath to bar to grab the drops for a sprint, and banging your forearms in the process, the effective reach is decreased for a secure hold. The drops also extend behind the top of the bar so that there is plenty of room to rest your hands for longer efforts when you want to be low to reduce air resistance.
The Cyrano R1 Chameleon Handlebar weighs 205 grams for the 420mm wide bar. the center clamp area fits a 31.8mm stem. It comes in fours sizes from 400mm to 460mm wide and in the color Black. Cyrano series is designed to form the cockpit, when combined with the Cyrano stem and seatpost.
