In this article, we’ll be discussing a Bicycle Handlebar Support by Canyon, US publication 20210237826. The publication date is Aug 5^th, 2021 and the filing date is April 30^th, 2019. This patent is not granted yet.

Pictures are shitty. Apologies. It looks like someone wrote them on the bathroom wall, took a picture, then put them in this application. Very short app, so very short article.

Brief Summary (tl;dr)

Canyon appear to be working on a new TT handlebar that includes a single ‘grip element’, where your right hand goes into a recess on the bottom of the grip, and your left hand overlaps your right hand. As a result, you’ll be tight and right for them aero gainz. There is also a computer (phone) mount and some buttons that’ll sync up with your phone so you never actually have to take your hands off the ends of the bars to toggle through your stats.

Intended Novelty

After checking out the amendments (though still not granted yet) through the USPTO, the intended novelty here is the ‘common grip element’ is to be gripped by both the left and right hand at the same time. So, it’s a single grip for both hands.

Why

First, Canyon want to reduce drag and relieve the arms of stress; though I’m pretty sure all TT bars are designed for less arm stress.

The purpose of a support is to achieve lesser aerodynamic drag and relief of the arms and the upper part of the body, when compared to a position of a cyclist using a normal handlebar.

Additionally, they’re putting buttons to control a computer at the end of the common grip element so the rider never has to take their hands off the end to control the computer.

What

First things first, the figures and brevity of this application suggest this was a very quick turnaround on this application.

FIG. 1 shows this new TT handlebar without the bar ends, so I took some artistic liberties. You’ll notice buttons 6-8, which don’t seem to be in order for some reason. These little buttons will sync up to your phone, which is shown as device 9. Your arms sit on pads 3, and the stem 11 is to the left.

FIG. 2 shows the whole set up. Super tight and right for them aero gainz. Here’s a line about the buttons:

The switches 7, 6 can be actuated by a mere change of the position of the thumb 14, 16 without changing the hand position. The switches 8 are actuated by a mere change of the position of the index fingers without a change of the hand position.

Here’s the nifty part. This ‘common grip element’ is asymmetrical for the (assumed) purpose of aero advantages. So, your right hand goes into a recess, while your left hand goes over your right hand. FIG. 5 shows the right hand in the recess, while FIG. 7 shows both hands overlapping each other. But, if you look closely, FIG. 7 is an alternative where it’s left hand overlapping the right hand. So, Canyon will probably make different products for left and right handed people.

Conclusion

For real, Canyon. What is up with your applications? I think most of these have some kind of major error or are just poor quality. You guys make hundreds of millions of dollars. And you’re German, the stereotypical epitome of high-quality. Come on; everything should be quality.

Either way, if they’re looking for them sweet, sweet aero gainz, this will probably do it. This app ain’t going to make them any slower. Tighten up those hands, and you’ll drop some micro-clicks of drag. The buttons are pretty nifty, too. It’ll be interesting to see if they outsource the electronic part of this or make it in-house.