Bill's Bike Babes Race Sticks

Benny Hill esque moniker aside, Bill’s Bike Babes race sticks are faithful Cinelli Spinacci copies. Apart from some minor shortcomings (the finish on our test pair could’ve been better) ample adjustability and modest weight means they’re bang on for long runs on the winter bike and budget TT builds using standard diameter drops or pursuit style bars.

Made from anodised, heat treated 6061 aluminium, fitting takes about twenty minutes start to finish and there’s even a 5mm Allen key included to breeze them aboard the bars straight from the shelf should the urge take you. Simply unwind the bar wrap a few turns and loosely position one bracket at a time, tightening all the Allen bolts evenly, leaving a little play. Lazer etched markings provide easy reference and are an improvement over the original design; setting them up with the bike on a stationary trainer seems the most efficient way of honing their position. Once satisfied, simply re-affix the bar wrap, give the bolts a quick once over and you’re road ready.

Performance is good and aside from a quick roadside re-tightening after the first eight miles, they’ve proven sufficiently rigid, affording a welcome extra position to shelter from the wind, greatly reducing fatigue on longer rides. While they're very secure, you should resist the urge to grasp them like MTB bar ends on the climbs. Taping the extensions not only provides a personalised, colour coordinated touch but also improves grip, especially in the wet. Some will point out the absence of an oversized diameter illustrates how dated the design is, but low weight, low cost and reasonable rigidity means they’re still great for reducing fatigue on windy TT courses and training rides. They’ve something to offer long distance tourists seeking alternative hand positions and could equally prove a boon for flat-bar roadies who didn’t mind a slightly unconventional look to their cockpit.

Verdict

Faithful copies of a classic design and useful for more than simply TTs or training.