Good vibrations: Spank knows that simply
building the widest bar isn’t the way to build the
best bar. The Spike 777 EVO’s wide profile and
shape feel perfect right from the start. It also
feels better at damping vibration than other
aluminum bars we’ve tested.
Spank first launched about a decade ago as the brain-child of South African designer Gavin Vos and German
distributor Sven Mack. They sought to design upgraded
components optimized for weight, performance and
straight-up style. They’re adrenaline junkies at heart, and
the company is named for the first adrenaline rush every
person gets when he or she comes into this world.
Tech features:
Spank builds the 777 handlebar with
their Super Six alloy, and they CNC-bend the bar on
three planes to deliver a 4-degree up and 8-degree back
geometry in four different heights from 0 degrees to 50
millimeters of rise. The array of options is designed to
satisfy everyone from dirt jumpers to 29er trail riders.
Spank recognized early on that riders were asking for
wider and lighter bars. In response, they developed the
Dual Extreme Gradual Taper with Impact Ends technology. This process optimizes the spread of material across
high-stress areas and saves weight where it’s not needed
through FEA (Finite Element Analysis.)
The Spike Race stem is forged into two different
lengths to match the short and wide style of modern trail,
all-mountain and downhill bikes. It’s available in 35- and
50-millimeter lengths with a 0-degree rise in four colors
to customize your ride. The stem also features a nifty
snap-fit top cap. Our test bar weighed 11.2 ounces, and
the stem weighed 5.6 ounces. The combo will run you a
cool $120.
An add-nothing feature that adds a lot: The snap-fit top cap
on the Spike Race stem looks just plain trick. The rest of the
stem also works pretty well, as long as you’re okay with a short
and stiff setup.
Field test results:
The Spike Race bar and stem are
rock solid when it comes to construction quality. Just be
sure you’re ready to ride a bike with the short and wide
setup.
The stem is fairly lightweight for its intended use, but
it’s only available in the shorter sizes for now. It worked
well with our Intense Tracer test bike, but that’s only because we prefer an ultra-stiff, shorter cockpit setup for
a 6-inch trailbike. If you’re looking for something longer,
Spank also makes their Oozy stem, which is available
in lengths up to 80 millimeters. If you’re looking for
something longer than that, look elsewhere. Our favorite
feature of the Spike stem is the snap-fit top cap, which
provides a seamless, smooth and aesthetic addition to
your cockpit. Our only gripe with this system is that the
steerer tube must be trimmed perfectly to use it, since
the integrated top cap prevents the use of any spacers on
top of the stem. If you plan to use the snap-fit cap, be
sure your measurements are perfect before installing it.
The 777 bar is 30.5 inches wide, and we rode it at full
length for the duration of the test. The 777 provides a
stable platform with plenty of stiffness and without
being so rigid that it vibrates your knuckles like they’re
in a rock polisher. We appreciate the extra material in
the ends of the bars to keep them from crushing in a
crash—although, fortunately, we didn’t have to test that
feature firsthand. Know that if you plan to cut the bars
down, you will also cut off this feature.
This bar and stem will be right at home on any gravity or heavy-duty all-mountain bike and provide a stylish,
custom-looking upgrade.
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