NEW PRODUCTS PRO’S PERSPECTIVE


How much input does a pro rider have in new products? Professional mountain biker Olly Wilkins explains what goes into the process – with the upcoming release of the brand new O’Dub Bars from his long-time sponsor DMR Bikes


Olly Wilkins discusses the new DMR O’Dub bars


What do you look for in a good set of handlebars? Bars are super super important to me. They’re the fastest way to make a bike feel right, especially when paired with the right contact points. Get those dialled and you can instantly transform how something rides with very little hassle. The shape of these bars is one which I’ve been riding for over 10 years now - five-degrees up and eight- degrees back. I’ve tried other shapes and they feel weird, even after a bit of bike time. The next feature is super important too: the fact that the bars are made from heat treated 7075 and not carbon is


56 | February 2023


essential to me. Of all the places on a bike where I want to save weight, the bars is not one of them. My bikes get thrown around and used. I’m not interested in using a material which requires exact torques when tightening levers or one where a scratch in the van can mean a snap on the trail.


What features have you brought to the DMR O’Dub handlebars? The bars are the result of over a decade spent developing the predecessor: the Wing Bar. Beyond the actual shape and material we’ve also added a new spiral butting process. We’ve created a bar which is super durable and


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