Cockpit revolution from the Allgäu: Newmen with new handlebar line-up

Anyone who only thinks of Kässpatzen and Neuschwanstein Castle when they hear the word Allgäu is forgetting the inventive spirit of this idyllic Alpine foothills region. Propain, Sixpack-Racing and Newmen are just a few of the bike companies that have their home here. And the component manufacturer Newmen with mastermind Michi Grätz is considered to be particularly creative when it comes to developing new and exciting bike accessories. This is also the case with the new MTB handlebars that have just been presented.

The handlebars are one of the most important contact points between rider and bike. If you choose the wrong geometry here, you will end up with burning forearms or numb fingers. Newmen remains true to itself with the new models Performance (XC/Trail) and Beskar (Enduro/DH) and favours an unusually high upsweep. The aim: a natural wrist position without the disadvantages of too much backsweep.

VariGrip: Stepless handlebar width adjustment

The highlight of the new handlebar collection is the patented VariGrip system. This should finally make an old problem a thing of the past. You shorten the new 800 mm bar to 780 mm, only to realise on the next narrow trail that 770 mm would have been better after all. Or you want a little more width for a bike park holiday than on a tour at home.

Thanks to a thread in the handlebar end and special grips, the width of the VGS models can be infinitely adjusted by up to 50 mm adjust. Loosen the lock-on clamp, adjust the width using the scale, tighten - done. This not only saves nerves, but also makes the handlebars extremely flexible for different areas of use. There are three different grips available for the VariGrip system - Resia, Slat and Block - to ensure that not only the handlebars are optimised for your riding style. The grips differ in terms of profile, thickness and hardness of the rubber compound.

The practical check: light and shade of the new line-up

Advantages:

• Ergonomics plus: The 8° upsweep brings the wrists into a relaxed position and prevents fatigue on long descents.
• VariGrip flexibility: Millimetre-precise width adjustment in seconds - no sawing, no regrets.
• Maximum security: Millions of kilometres are simulated in the in-house test laboratory. The approval without a system weight limit speaks for the confidence in the material.
• Variety of options: Whether 31.8 mm for more flex or 35 mm for maximum stiffness - Newmen serves both camps.

Disadvantages:

• System binding: If you want to make full use of the VariGrip system, you need the special Newmen grips (Resia, Slat, Blok).
• Weight: The VariGrip system adds a few grams of weight compared to a classically shortened lightweight handlebar.
• Aluminium focus: While the competition often relies on carbon, Newmen remains true to aluminium (for the time being) for the new models.

The Newmen line-up at a glance

Performance (XC - Trail):

• MaterialAL6061
• Width760 mm / VGS: 710-760 mm
• Rise: 10 mm | 25 mm
• Weightfrom 313 g
• Price: still open at the time of publication

Beskar (Enduro - DH):

• MaterialAL7050 (high-end aluminium)
• Width800 mm / VGS: 760-810 mm
• Rise: 25 mm | 40 mm
• Weightfrom 336 g
• Price: still open at the time of publication

Common specs: 31.8 mm & 35 mm clamping, 8° backsweep / 8° upsweep, no system weight limit.

The competition: Who else is working on the cockpit?

With its VariGrip approach, Newmen is targeting a market that has so far mainly favoured fixed lengths. Here are the direct opponents:

1. Syntace Vector: Also from southern Germany, known for legendary durability and high backsweep options (12°), but without width adjustment.
2. SQLab 3OX: The ergonomics giant. Offers various backsweeps to solve wrist problems, but must be shortened in the classic way.
3. Ibis Blackbird Carbon 35mm Handlebar: One of the few manufacturers with a similar approach. Ibis uses threaded inserts to adjust the handlebar width.
4. Race Face Atlas / Turbine: The classics in the gravity sector. Extremely stable, but more conservative in terms of ergonomic features (upsweep).

Our conclusion: With the new line-up, Newmen delivers a clever package for anyone who no longer wants to compromise on handlebar width. The VariGrip system in particular, combined with the well thought-out ergonomics, makes the handlebars a hot recommendation for trail bikers and bike park fans alike.