Race Face NEXT SL handlebars review

Cycling Weekly Verdict

The Next SL’s anatomic curves are comfortable wherever your hands are, but particularly pleasing is that the shape allows the top section to be flat, without ruining the angle of the drops. Double grooves are handy now everyone in the shifter world has hidden all their cables beneath the tape.

Reasons to buy
  • +

    Great finish

  • +

    Comfortable bars

  • +

    Tough

Reasons to avoid
  • -

    Not the cheapest

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Race Face has made concerted efforts in the road sector, and we’ve noticed several bikes specced with the Canadian manufacturer’s kit for ‘09.

The Next SL is top of the shop, full carbon with a tasty looking finish. It’s not the lightest but that’s never been Race Face’s top priority; it’s more about tough, durable kit, harking back to its mtb roots, and it’s one of the stiffest bars we’ve ridden.

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