I just bought a 24 Orbea Orca, and really like the bike, except for the stock handlebars. Mostly it's the shape, but I also dislike the feel of the hoses on the tops.
If buying new handlebars, would it be possible to pass the brake hoses through the bars and the stem to the channel in the headset? Do I need a new stem? The bike has wireless Di2.
by andysor
8 Comments
It’s possible but maybe not worth it depending on your eagerness to move the cables.
I’m riding a 2022 Orca so I can’t speak to any changes in the newer models but for my case one of the first upgrades was a Ritchey Logic handlebar. They have an internal routing option that I actually haven’t used mostly because it would require redoing the brake lines. I settled for running the lines on the underside of the slightly more aero bar and I don’t even notice them:
https://preview.redd.it/0zeubjfw5h0e1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c118caf89fbaace1a57ce1553e68121f7e33da82
You would need bars that are capable of full internal routing. Deda Zero2 bars for example do.
But I actually went the other way! I un-fully routed mine to look like yours. Gives you much more flexibility on changing stem length or handlebar width etc without having to do a full headset removal.
Sure. You just need bars that have internal cable routing
One better cable management would help aesthetically paired with a better tape job and would be the cheapest option or two buy new bars that have pre drilled holes to run the cables internally. Or three buy an one piece internally routed cockpit.
Not that you need to buy these particular bars but something like these enve bars where the lines run through the opening and then are guided and recessed would be perfect without going one piece
https://preview.redd.it/dxdo472wch0e1.jpeg?width=1433&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=87e1598ac70819f7ac015e26cefd95e7c0be2370
I bought Orca Aero, has the same design, and you’re missing a piece. It comes with a small cover that will hide most of the cables.
Here’s a photo from the manual:
https://preview.redd.it/tx6myrs7mh0e1.jpeg?width=1302&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7008cfbb7529c81ae4ca2e4eeaae12c0545b9fbc
My dealer missed it as well. I wrote him a mail a few days later and luckily, he still had the bike box stored and he found it hidden at the bottom.
You will need new bars AND stem that are compatible with the Integrated headset style. From a previous comment, looks like the Orca uses the FSA ACR standard.
Short answer is yes. Pretty sure this has a now standard 44mm head tube, but you’re going to get into a situation where the cockpits are no longer bars and stems but “systems” with a lot less wiggle room to mix and match. IE, you’ll need a matching stem for whatever bars you get. There are exceptions, but you’ll most likely be jumping whole hog into a particular brand’s ecosystem
I don’t personally have a problem with this style (but I’m not you and not liking a bar shape is absolutely a reason to swap out bars) I just don’t see what hiding 3″ of hose will benefit you. I think once you dig into it and realize that everything will have to be re-hosed, bled, etc. and you’re looking at a couple hundred in labor charges that you’ll learn to live with your current setup.
Shimano Pro handlebars have proper internal cable routing.