Congratulations on the purchase of your new Syntace Racelite handlebar. Please carefully
read all instructions as we have included some important information and helpful tips.
Please be advised that all safety components on a bicycle have a “Elephantine memory”,
they remember all damage that has been caused (crashes and overloads), even if they
occurred a long time ago. They all add up throughout use and reduce the lifespan of the
component. This is why at Syntace, we work with a high overload safety factor in the
design of the components.
A regular replacement (such as every 2 years) of bars and headstem is not required
according to our current technological understanding. However, we strongly recommend
checking both bars and stem after each crash or harsh landing for hairline cracks, dents
or grooves or to see if either are bent. Immediately replace the component at the slight-
est sight of damage!
Preparation
Sharp-edged welded steel or titanium stems act like knife blades for the handlebar.
Therefore we strongly recommend carefully deburring and rounding-off all sharp clamp-
ing edges with a file and fine sandpaper. Please confirm in advance with the respective
manufacturer whether this action would void the given warranty.
Please check that the stem to be used has a clamping diameter of 26.0 respectively
31.8 mm ±0,15, otherwise change for a stem of correct dimensions.
Note: since 2005 the entire Syntace handlebar selection has been approved for 4-bolt
stems, but can still be used with 2-bolt stems.
Installation
Note: The Syntace Racelite 2014 and 7075 are delivered with pre-assembled VRO-Centre-
rings. When assembling either of these bars with a stem other than the VRO-Stem, please
remove centre rings prior to assembly.
• First slide the brake and shifter units onto the handlebar (...because if the handlebar is
installed, the short cables may prevent this process).
• Syntace Racelite Carbon handlebars are not to be used without brake levers. Otherwise
you may risk premature failure, because the levers have a stabilizing function.
• Move the Syntace handlebar into the desired position. Ensure that the handlebar is
centred.
• Now press the handlebar into the „Snap-Fit“ clamp of the Syntace stem. Position the
handlebar ends horizontally or with a slight forward upward angle. Now alternately
tighten the headstem clamping bolts in small steps according to the recommendation
of the stem manufacturer, but with a maximum value of 8 Nm.
• With several headstem designs high torque or repetitive retensioning of the clamping
bolts can lead to deformation of the headstem‘s handlebar seat and the handlebar.
Such handlebars no longer maintain their full strength and must (even better together
with the stem) be replaced!
Pro tip: apply some bond 48 (or similar securing product, such as Loctite 648) to the
clamping surface (especially effective for clamping of aero bars). For all carbon bars we
recommend thinly applying a suitable carbon friction paste (such as the Syntace Dynam-
ics friction paste). This assures the bar and stem are additionally secured from becoming
loose, without having the screws over tightened through too much tension.
• Now align the brake and shift unit and tighten the clamps, and tighten with a maxi
-
mum of the indicated torque.
RACELITE ROAD BARS
Attention carbon bars:
Mount the brake and shift unit only in the bend section indicated suitable for clamping
by the rough friction particles, with a maximum of 7Nm.
Should the brake manufacturer
recommend a higher torque, this would generally refer to aluminium handlebars. If
required apply a small amount of carbon assembly paste (such as Syntace Dynamic Fric
-
tion paste).
Note: when assembling Aero bars the clamps must be mounted as close to the stem as
possible. The Aero bars must not be mounted outside the Ti-mesh reinforced area.
• Now wrap the handlebar with bartape.
Recommendation: Syntace Cork Tape combines a high quality tearproof material with
the legendary elliptical cross section. This allows a more aesthetically pleasing and even
wrapping than conventional tapes.
Pic 1: VRO Center Ring Removal:
If these handlebars are to be used in a conventional
stem, the two plastic centering rings in the center
of the handlebar must be removed. To remove these
easily, simply wrap a rag around the rings and press
the end of the handlebar firmly against the ground.
You may wish to place a piece of cardboard or some
other softer material between the end of the bar and
the ground to avoid the possibility of damaging the
end of the handlebar.
The Syntace evolutions-principle
Continuous development, running change improvements and immediate exceptionally
thorough testing. Approved improvements always fl ow directly into the next production
run without any marketing delays. This may lead to the technical specs changing. This is
why these are not printed on this piece of paper, but can be found on www.syntace.de or
www.syntace.com on the relevant product page. Due to the large quantity of compo-
nents available on the market, it is not possible for us to test all possible combinations.
Therefore one must pay attention that the guidelines of the respective manufacturers are
adhered to. Get in contact to the Syntace Team for compatibility checking - especially in
the use of aero bars.
Care, maintenance and safety
Proper maintenance and care will ensure a long life and reliable function of your Syntace
products. Please follow these simple steps to maintain your system:
• Retighten all headstem bolts after approx. 1 hour of riding according to manufacturers
recommendations.
• These Syntace stems and bars are exclusively designed for mountain bikes and road
bikes.
• Regularly check all components and ensure they are still fastened securely
•
Please do not repair any damaged components but replace them.
Caution aluminium bars:
Using porous (penetrable) bar tape, can lead to permanent accumulation of especially
sweat or gritty moisture, between grip and bar. As sweat (but also acidic cleaning
chemicals) attacks anodized surfaces, the bar is to be checked regularly and changed
upon any signs of corrosion, otherwise the bar will be increasingly prone to failure upon
further use.
Note: Syntace Racelite Road bars made of 7075 alloy are not approved for assembly with
bar end shifters that have an internal clamping mechanism.
