Fans of Loaded Precision’s bomb proof mountain components can now be full-on road fans as well. Coming off of a successful Interbike, Loaded Precision announced the Napalm Carbon Road Bars.
The Napalm line was launched last year at Interbike with mountain bars that are made out of one piece, not three pieces joined together like other bars. The 680 mm Napalm Carbon Riser Bar with a 15 degree rise, comes in at 114 grams, not to mention increased strength and durability. The Napalm stem adds another degree of stiffness and weight savings, with the 90mm model weighing only 91 grams.
Back when the Napalm line was launched, I pleaded Loaded Precision for a road bar. That bar is finally here. Like its dirt loving sibling, the road bar is made from one piece out of extremely high grade nano infused carbon fiber. The bars have grooves for cables to be routed and the top section has been flattened for better grip and aerodynamics. Â Three widths are offered, 40, 42, and 44, and all have a 78mm reach and 125mm drop, similar to the 3T Ergonova (77mm/123mm).
Theoretically, you can run a complete Loaded Precision cockpit on your road or cross bike at a weight of 419 grams, with the help of the X-Lite Ultra carbon seatpost . That’s a little over a pound, yet you won’t sacrifice strength and durability. Even with the X-Lite Ti stem we previously reviewed, you are still close to 50 grams lighter than a full carbon cockpit from 3T.
Napalm Carbon Road Bar – $319.99
Napalm Carbon Stem – $249.99
X-Lite Ultra Carbon Seatpost – $229.99
Based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Scott joined Bike World News as the Cyclocross Editor in 2012 before taking over as Tech Editor in 2016. He has also worked as a photographer for various pro teams and shoot races along the east coast of the US, including the 2012 US MTB National Championships, 2013 UCI Cyclocross World Championships, and 2016 UCI Road World Championships. Scott has a passion for performance and technology, with 35 years of riding and mechanic experience. He also enjoys soccer, running, teaching group fitness classes, and is the founder of Lancaster Beard Company.
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