The Super-Cockpit Goes (Slightly) Mainstream
A quick take on the new ENVE SES AR One-Piece handlebar. At $750, it moves the "super-cockpit" from a pure halo product to a mainstream premium upgrade.
ENVE's new SES AR One-Piece Handlebar is a fascinating case study in premium component strategy. The original, US-made version was a $1,200 "halo" product—a piece of aspirational engineering. This new model, at $750, is being positioned as the "accessible" version. The main difference? It’s made overseas in the same factory that produces their other, well-proven handlebars, so the quality and reliability should be identical.
This feels like a smart and necessary pivot. It acknowledges that the integrated "super-cockpit" is now a mainstream expectation, not just a custom-show feature. While $750 is still a massive investment for a cockpit, it's out of the "pure unobtanium" category. It also cleverly reframes the original $1,200 bar, which remains as the "SES AR Custom." This new bar is the one for the rest of us... well, the rest of us who are already spending top-dollar on a bike and want that perfectly clean, cable-free look.
A Few Key Specifications:
- Sizing: 20 combinations (90-130mm stems, 38-44cm widths). This is the most critical spec. With a one-piece bar, fit is permanent, so having a wide range of options is essential.
- Integration: Fully compatible with ENVE's IN-Route System and other brands (Trek, Specialized, Colnago, etc.). This is key—it’s not just a proprietary part, making it a viable upgrade for many frames.
- Computer Mount: Includes a new adjustable carbon mount with an accessory adapter. This is a huge practical win. Not having a good, integrated computer-and-light-mounting solution is a major failure on a cockpit this expensive, and ENVE got it right.
