New Roval Rapide Cockpit: 50 g lighter and 4 watts faster than a traditional setup

The all-new Rapide cockpit is the fastest Roval has ever developed, improving aerodynamic gains where they matter most, and saving four watts compared to the already highly efficient Rapide handlebar and Tarmac SL7 stem combination.

Delivering a competitive advantage requires more than just aerodynamics. The goal for the Roval engineering team was simple: the Rapide cockpit had to be the fastest handlebar the brand had ever made, without any compromise. It is aerodynamic, lightweight, stiff, and designed in collaboration with the world’s best riders and Retül positioning experts so you can maximize your performance.

Aerodynamics

Removing the stem-to-handlebar connection allowed the handlebar’s leading edge to be designed as a single aerodynamic profile. Roval optimized this profile for maximum advantage in the air at speeds ranging from long solo breakaways to powerful World Tour sprints where stage victory is decided. While a four-watt improvement may seem minimal, it translates to a 32 cm lead in a 250-meter final sprint. When races are won by bike throws, this is a winning difference.

Lightweight and Stiff

By removing the stem-to-handlebar connection and the associated hardware, the Rapide cockpit is 50 grams lighter (100 mm x 420 mm) than a Rapide handlebar and Tarmac SL7 stem combination. Made from premium high-modulus carbon fiber, which offers ideal stiffness for the fastest sprinters in the World Tour, the Rapide cockpit boasts a superior stiffness-to-weight ratio compared to all two-piece systems ever made.

The Right Position

The drawback of one-piece cockpits has long been fit, but Roval partnered with Retül experts and the world’s best riders to ensure that almost every rider can find their fit. Roval offers 15 different stem and handlebar combinations, all at -6 degrees. Special attention has been paid to wrist clearance, whether out of the saddle during a final sprint or in an aerodynamic position, while the bend and flare are similar to the Rapide handlebar.