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1 June 2006

Deda Elementi: SuperNatural + Newton 31.7

An Aluminum Front-End

Carbon composites have advanced in the last few years but I still prefer the sensation and security of having aluminum under my arms. Deda Elementi satisfies my desires with their serious-looking Newton Stem and feather-light SuperNatural handlebars.

Look around the professional peloton or on your local club rides and you will spot carbon everywhere. The material is safe, light and can be molded to fit a designer's wildest dreams, but I still find consolation with an aluminum front-end. Deda Elementi, based near BiciRace.com, in Milano, produces a wide range of components for the bicycle industry, including top-flight bars and stems.

Deda Newton 31.7

The Deda Newton stem has been around for a few years now, almost a classic model among cycling enthusiasts. The CNC design is very serious-looking: the machining allows Deda Elementi progressively cut their stem, using minimal material and putting the strength where needed. The rigid and beefy looking body is hollowed-out and builds progressively towards the 31.7 front clamp.

The four clamping bolts on the Newton stem are spread far apart and give greater coverage, and less pressure, to the clamp area. This is important when mounting and remounting your bars to the stem. It is serious business to get this correct, a mishap here and you could be chewing on your front tire.

I am one who likes to really crank down on the bar clamp, so having four bolts, opposed to some stems with only two, makes for less stress. The bolts should be slowly tightened with the right torque to ensure there are no concerns when you encounter a dangerous pot hole.

There were a few close calls on the road when I was busy admiring the machined lines in the Deda Newton stem. The lines are stunning and pair well for any top-end bicycle setup.

Very SuperNatural

The best setup for any bike is using the same manufacture for both the bars and stem. Deda Elementi makes your decision easy with a wide range of handlebars... We had the pleasure to review their new SuperNatural.

The BiciRace.com chief forgot to check with me first, because I use Campagnolo shifters and the SuperNatural bars are designed specifically for Shimano guns: there are slight divots to greet Shimano's STI levers and the bars are single grooved for one cable under the bar tape. We were still able to mount the Deda Elementi bars with ease, especially due to the nice sight lines on the front. It may seem like a small detail, but adjusting to the right angle on your handlebars is made so much easier with these little white lines.

The 7075 Aluminum bars are butted to provide more material the critical points, including the clamp zone. Here the SuperNatural bars are swollen to 31.7mm, to match the oversized stem clamp. The departure to 31.7mm, from the old 26.0mm, provides for great stiffness with less material.

Wrapped with Deda tape, the ergo-designed bars were comforting on the road. I could move my hands around in multiple positions: on the break hoods for out of saddle, small climbs, inside the ergo-shaped drops for sprinting efforts, or near the stem for cruising through the città.

On the first run I had to stop a few times to adjust the SuperNatural bar angle. Loosening the four stem bolts, sighting the white lines and making a slight tilt in the bars were all accomplished with ease. After adjustments were made there was nothing but joy from the front end of my machine. The Deda Elementi combo, although lightweight, were proving to be very stiff and unwilling to flex under pressure. This rideablity and practicality of the Deda Newton stem combined with the Deda SuperNatural bars were very pleasing.

Details:
•  Deda SuperNatural 31.7 Bar
•  Material: 7075 T6 Aluminum
•  Reach: 79.9mm
•  Drop: 132mm
•  Widths: 42, 43, 44 and 46cm (outside-outside)
•  Price: $99.99 USD
•  Weight: 242g (for 43cm)

•  Deda Newton Stem 31.7
•  Lengths: 9 to 14cm
•  Angle: 82° or 98° by just flipping the stem.
•  Price: $119.99 USD
•  Weight: 153g (for 12cm)

Visit the Deda Elementi website to learn more about tires. Or visit RBK-RulloBike.com, a great source for Deda Elementi bars and stems.