Separate bars and stems create a stack of hardware right where clean airflow matters most. The Roval Alpinist Cockpit II eliminates that junction entirely, fusing bar and stem into a single carbon unit that weighs 270 grams in the 400mm x 100mm configuration—actually 10 grams lighter than combining the individual Alpinist handlebar and stem. Beyond the weight savings, the one-piece construction removes potential creak points and simplifies cockpit setup to a single steerer clamp.

The bar shape draws on Specialized's Retul fit database and Body Geometry research. The tops use a D-shaped profile that increases contact surface area by 12% compared to the previous Alpinist generation, spreading palm pressure across a wider zone during long efforts on the hoods or when grinding up extended climbs. The carbon layup delivers 28.3% more vibration damping than the aero-focused Rapide cockpit—a meaningful difference on rough chip seal or cobbled sections where hand fatigue compounds over hours in the saddle.

The drops incorporate 4 degrees of flare, opening up the wrist angle slightly in the sprinting position without dramatically changing the feel from a traditional compact bend. Reach measures 75mm and drop sits at 125mm, dimensions that place this firmly in the compact category where most riders find their most natural hand positions. The stem section angles downward at -6 degrees, though keep in mind that integrated cockpits often position the hands slightly higher than equivalent stem angles on two-piece setups due to the bar junction geometry.... Read More