Singletrack/MTB
Gravel/All-road
Dirt-road Touring
Fat-bike
A Peek at Teravail’s New Handlebar, Dropper Post, and Bar Tape
Teravail is expanding its product lineup to include new drop bars, dropper posts, and more. We had a chance to take a look at the new Teravail Telec Dropper Post, the drop-bar Telec dropper remote, the new Teravail Feldspar handlebar, and Radia bar tape ahead of today’s launch. Find our first look and details here…
Teravail, previously known only for its tires, began expanding into mountain bike and gravel wheels and tires last spring. Today, they are expanding their product lineup to include handlebars, seatposts, dropper posts, bar tape, grips, and bar tape. The launch includes three drop bars and four flat bars, and a closer look shows some carryover from the Whisky catalogue, which has us thinking Teravail might be in the process of absorbing the brand.
We haven’t been able to thoroughly test many of the new components, but Teravail sent over a few items we thought bikepackers might be interested in. These are by no means complete reviews, but you can find a first look and some initial impressions on the Teravail Telec Dropper Post, Teravail Telec dropper post, Teravail Feldspar handlebar, and Radia bar tape below.
Teravail Telec Dropper Post
The Telec is Teravail’s first dropper post. The 27.2mm version officially launches today, and the 30.9mm and 31.6mm versions are coming this summer. The Telec 27.2mm is offered in 100mm or 125mm travel options, with 30mm of tool-less travel adjustment thanks to a notched bushing underneath the midcap, similar to PNW dropper posts, and others that use the +Rad travel adjust system.
I’ve only been out on a few short rides with the Telec dropper, and so far, it feels great. It has a snappy, impressively fast actuation right out of the box. Paired with the Telec dropper lever, it feels responsive and solid. I plan to continue using the Telec dropper post to see how it holds up over the long haul. According to Teravail, the 30.9 and 31.6mm models have adjustable air pressure, but the 27.2mm does not. All posts are serviceable, although we’re unclear on exactly what that means and what parts Teravail is offering.
The Telec 27.2mm dropper post costs $200 USD, and the other sizes, which are coming in a couple of months, are $30 more. We’ll share more details as they become available. For now, check out the 27.2mm model here.
Teravail Telec Dropper Remote
Launching alongside the Telec 27.2mm dropper is a brand new drop-bar dropper remote. The Telec DP Remote is a “butterfly-style” dropper lever with a two-lever design that is accessible while in the hoods or in the drops. Most stock or OEM drop-bar dropper levers feel pretty plain, but Teravail added textured surfaces on both levers, as well as a sealed cartridge bearing at the main pivot, for smooth, predictable actuation.
I just got off a nine-day bikepacking trip running an OEM drop-bar dropper remote, and I wasn’t that impressed with the lever feel. The Telec Dropper Remote is an improvement. More importantly, however, the Telec remote was much easier to install, thanks to a low-profile clamp and a shape that leaves more room to run the dropper post housing/cable, and more room around the bar to install bar tape. The position and shape also impede normal hand positions less, a complaint I’ve had with the OEM lever on my current review bike. The Telec drop-bar remote costs $60 and is available from Teravail.com.
Teravail Feldspar Handlebar
The Feldspar is the most interesting drop-bar in the launch. It’s available in carbon, 7050 aluminum, and 6061 aluminum, and all feature nearly identical specs. The carbon version takes full advantage of carbon manufacturing to allow a two-stage flare, with the hoods at 12° and the drops at 20°. The carbon bar has a 68mm reach and 100mm drop. The aluminum models are set at 16° throughout, with a 67mm reach and 100mm drop. All models come in five widths, from 40cm to 48cm.
Even the aluminum SE model has some interesting curves and tapers, including a thinner flat section on either side of the stem. This looks comfortable for riding, but it might make strapping certain bags to it a little finicky. The carbon version costs $280 USD, the SE version is $100, and the standard alloy model is $65.
Teravail Radia Bar Tape
The Teravail Radia Bar Tape is a shock-absorbing tape with a gel backing, available in 2.5mm and 3.5mm thicknesses. There are five color options: Obsidian, Dune, Olive, Midnight, and Beetroot, with Obsidian and Dune available in a long version for extra-wide drop bars. Teravail includes basic push-in bar-end plugs, but unfortunately, they didn’t fit the Ritchey handlebar I had on hand for testing.
I only just wrapped my bars over the weekend, so this is hardly a review, but the 3.5mm version is an upgrade over the stock bar tape on the bike I’ve been riding the last few months. It’s noticeably thicker, which helps absorb chatter on rough roads and trails, and it gives a little more bar to grab onto, which is great for anyone with larger hands. I like the wavy, topo-inspired graphics and text on the tape, and I think the Dune color looks great in person.
The Radia bar tape costs $43 for the standard length and $45 for the long version. Find all versions and colors here.
You can see all the new goods at Teravail.com.
Further Reading
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