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.
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
road.cc test report
Make and model: KCNC SC Force handlebar
Tell us what the product is for, and who it's aimed at. What do the manufacturers say about it? How does that compare to your own feelings about it?
they are, say KCNC, "Beautifully made lightweight road bars"
# Made from scandium T-7451 alloy
# 440mm wide (centre-centre)
# 85mm reach
# 145mm drop
# Designed for road racing
they'd be good Sportive/Audax bars too
Rate the product for quality of construction:
9/10
Very nicely made, good shape and well finished
Rate the product for performance:
8/10
Comfortable with a bit of give on the drops, you'll need something stiffer for sprinting
Rate the product for durability:
8/10
No problems during testing, we wouldn't expect a lightweight Alloy bar to last for ever though
Rate the product for weight, if applicable:
9/10
216g is nice and feathery
Rate the product for comfort, if applicable:
8/10
Plenty of comfortable positions
Rate the product for value:
8/10
Not cheap but a lot cheaper than many bars the same weight
Tell us how the product performed overall when used for its designed purpose
Very well
Tell us what you particularly liked about the product
Comfy and light
Tell us what you particularly disliked about the product
nothing really, I hope they do a compact drop version
Did you enjoy using the product? Yes
Would you consider buying the product? Yes
Would you recommend the product to a friend? Yes
Age: 36 Height: 190cm Weight: 98kg
I usually ride: whatever I\'m testing... My best bike is: Trek 1.5 with Ultegra 6700
I've been riding for: 10-20 years I ride: Every day I would class myself as: Experienced
I regularly do the following types of riding: time trialling, commuting, sportives, general fitness riding, fixed/singlespeed, mtb, Mountain Bike Bog Snorkelling, track
It's not too bad. Most just make enough to get by and make people have to accept waiting or a different color. They know people are going to be...
Yes, but they took a square route, which probably made the distance somewhat longer.
Indepent drivel: I like it.
Cycling for mind: Some seriously shit steering there.
I found Velocio Luxe mitts even higher quality than my Assos gloves. (Velocio's Luxe gloves are a step up from the Race mitts reviewed above.)...
I like this sales attitude! Old style UK deprecation. "There are better brands - but try our pedals. Some people like them."...
The world's biggest violin, meanwhile I'm playing the world's smallest
You would like to think that 7 might make it a bit harder to ignore but I'm sure there will be a good excuse
Perhaps he followed the suggested Shimano online anti counterfeit link and saw that Shimano's opening header says "... crackdown in China.."?
Especially the fat ones.