Yorkshire-based company, Carbon Wasp, has been designing and manufacturing carbon fibre cycling paraphernalia for a while now, boasting a portfolio brimming with bicycle frames, crank arms and components such as the bar extensions pictured here. Dubbed the ‘Aero Extensions’, this carbon-fibre aerobar system has been designed to allow a greater level of adjustability, enabling riders to refine their riding position. While Carbon Wasp has been making aero systems since 2018 already, primarily under contract for other companies, it only recently began offering an own-branded option. The result are the Aero Extensions – a product aimed at both the competitive amateur and professional athlete.

For many triathletes, time trialists and track racers, aerobar adjustment on stock setups can be quite restrictive but Carbon Wasp has created a personalised approach with bar angles that are infinitely adjustable from 0-30-degrees (most stock setups max out at 15-degrees rise). Available in two guises – Non-UCI and UCI-compliant, the Aero Extensions fit flush against the arms, and provide superior ergonomics and leverage while closing the gap between the hands and head. Manufactured from different types of pre-preg carbon, both high strength standard modulus (Toray T700) and 2×2 twill weave, the extensions are both incredibly strong and visually dramatic.

They are available as both an off-the-shelf and fully customisable option. We were sent the off-the-shelf Non-UCI specification package, complete with U-shaped arm rests to test during this year’s UK time trial season. The bars are compatible with pretty much all OEM basebars, and the bar ends play nicely with Shimano/SRAM shifters and feature internal cable routing and space inside for a junction box, too (eTap blip box fits inside Non-UCI version).

As expected from a niche, artisanal product, the Carbon Wasp Aero Extensions are a pretty pricey investment that will set you back £795 /$1,050 (including carbon aero extensions, arm rests, adjustable angle wedges and all hardware). We’ll be fitting them to a Vision Metron TFA and will report back on how things went in the coming weeks.

Read more @ https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/the-musette-summer-jerseys-gravel-bikes-tyre-goo-and-more/