Easton provided a sneak preview of their new Havoc 35 handlebar and stem collection just before the opening of this year's Sea Otter Classic. The bar is a generous 800mm wide and, as the name suggests, uses a super-oversize 35mm clamp diameter – the same size used by Deda on their M35 road bar and Trentacinque stem.
According to Easton cycling brand manager Dain Zaffke, simply adding length to the existing 31.8mm-diameter, 750mm-wide Havoc aluminum and carbon bars to meet rider demands for more width would have compromised one or more critical performance metrics. Bumping up the clamp diameter, however, allowed for the additional 50mm of length while increasing strength and stiffness, and reducing weight.
According to Zaffke, the move to a 35mm clamp has netted the carbon bar a 15 percent increase in impact strength, a 21 percent increase in stiffness, a 10 percent boost in fatigue life and a drop in weight to just 220g. Changes to the alloy version are similarly impressive, with a 15 percent improvement in impact strength, 10 percent better fatigue and a 10 percent drop in weight to 300g.
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A look at Easton's handlebar fatigue testing
Both Havoc 35 models feature the same nine-degree backsweep and five-degree upsweep as the original Havoc bars but with a more aggressive 20mm rise. According to Zaffke, they're the strongest in their respective classes and both carry a five-year warranty.
Joining the new handlebars are two aluminum Havoc 35 stems. The two-piece, direct-mount unit weighs just 110g and offers convertible 45mm or 50mm lengths plus an extra-wide clamp interface. The conventional Havoc 35 stem – available only in a 0° x 50mm size – comes in at 190g and adds a similarly widened clamp for greater support.
Suggested retail prices are US$160 for the Havoc 35 carbon bar, $90 for the aluminum bar and $100 for either stem. Aluminum Havoc components will be offered in a range of anodized colors, and all of the Havoc 35 bits will be available in May – or right now at the Easton booth inside the Sea Otter Classic venue if you happen to be there.
The new Easton Havoc 35 1-1/8in stem weighs 190g and will come in a single 50mm length
The direct mount version is said to weigh just 100g and features widely set clamps for improved strength and stiffness