Aerodynamic truncated-airfoil tops
The SystemBar Road uses deep, truncated-airfoil upper sections designed to present a cleaner shape to the airflow than a traditional round road handlebar. This approach allows Cannondale to create a relatively deep aerodynamic profile without making the cockpit unnecessarily long from front to back.
The narrow upper widths also help reduce the rider’s frontal area. At typical road cycling speeds, the rider accounts for most of the total aerodynamic drag, so a narrower hood position can provide a meaningful real-world advantage when the position remains comfortable and sustainable.
One-piece carbon construction
The handlebar and stem are manufactured as a single carbon unit. Removing the conventional faceplate, handlebar clamp and associated bolts gives the cockpit a smooth central profile while reducing the number of separate structural interfaces.
The resulting construction provides:
- Direct steering response
- High torsional stiffness
- Stable tracking under heavy load
- Fewer external fasteners
- Cleaner airflow around the leading edge
- A visually seamless transition into the frame
The firm connection is particularly noticeable during standing accelerations, hard cornering and high-speed descending. Unlike a conventional two-piece setup, there is no possibility of the handlebar rotating independently inside a stem clamp when installed correctly.
Progressive sizing
Cannondale uses narrow upper widths with substantially wider drops. Each side flares outward by approximately 20 mm, producing a total difference of 40 mm between the upper position and the drops.
