Zipp's new SL-70 Aero carbon road bar features airfoil-section tops, anatomic drops and internal routing - James Huang/Future Publishing
Zipp says the SL-70 Aero's deep and flat tops are UCI-legal. However, they're not compatible with clip-on aero extensions - James Huang/Future Publishing
The tops are swept forward for wrist clearance when sprinting. Zipp doesn't intend for the tops to be taped - James Huang/Future Publishing
If you like aero-section bars, you'll likely find the SL-70 Aero to be comfortable when climbing. Those that prefer a more traditional round-tubed bar feel will be disappointed - James Huang/Future Publishing
Naturally, Zipp says the optimal stem pairing is its new SLSpeed molded carbon model with its sleek lines and profiled top cap - James Huang/Future Publishing
The internal routing isn't fully guided but the exit point is oriented such that the housing should pop right out - James Huang/Future Publishing
Zipp says the SL-70 Aero's revised upper bend should eliminate the need to tilt bars upwards to get an angled position - James Huang/Future Publishing
One neat trick about the Zipp SLSpeed stem's included top cap: it's undercut so that you can leave the steerer slightly long for maximum clamp surface area but won't need to add any spacers up top - James Huang/Future Publishing
Zipp's latest SL-70 Aero carbon road bar makes some heady claims: namely, that it can save 6.4W of effort at 30mph over a round-tubed bar, and that it's 30 percent stiffer than the old VukaSprint. Even if those figures are only partially true, riders who are perpetually in search of free speed now have another option in the aero arms race.
Of course the SL-70 Aero's defining feature is the UCI-legal airfoil-profile top section, which is very flat and thin to help slice through the air. Although the internally routing isn't fully guided, the exit point is positioned so that housing naturally pops out at the end. Zipp doesn't intend for the tops to be taped.
The internal routing isn't fully guided but the exit point is oriented such that the housing should pop right out: - James Huang/Future Publishing
Internal cable routing for the aero-section tops
Opinions may be mixed on the merits of untaped bar tops but the shape of the drops will probably keep most people happy. The new SL-70 Aero's anatomic bend uses a relatively shallow 128mm drop and average 70mm reach, while the forward canted tops create plenty of wrist clearance for sprinting. Zipp doesn't expect SL-70 Aero users will rotate their bars upward, either, as the bend shape has been designed so that the lever bodies will naturally already be tilted a bit.
The tops are swept forward for wrist clearance when sprinting. zipp doesn't intend for the tops to be taped: - James Huang/Future Publishing
The forward cant of the tops should create plenty of wrist clearance for sprinting
Sadly for amateur triathletes, though, the SL-70 Aero isn't approved for use with clip-on aero extensions.
Claimed weight for the SL-70 Aero is 240g and it will be offered in 38, 40, 42, and 44cm sizes (measured center-to-center). Interested buyers should be able to find them on store shelves now with a retail price of US$350/ £266 / €300.
We've got a set en route so stay tuned for a full review soon.
Zipp says the sl-70 aero's revised upper bend should eliminate the need to tilt bars upwards to get an angled hood position: - James Huang/Future Publishing
James Huang is BikeRadar's former technical editor. After leaving BikeRadar in 2016, he worked at CyclingTips and Escape Collective. He now runs the Substack cycling publication N-1 Bikes.
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