The Crankbrothers Iodine 3 cockpit (bar, stem and grips)
is designed for the all-mountain rider looking for a strong, light and
stiff front end that is capable of handling the abuse of aggressive
riding. The Iodine 3 bar and stem are priced at $80 and $130
respectively, and the Iodine grips will set you back a mere $25.
Better together: Crankbrothers designed their ensemble to play well together.
Tech features: The Iodine 3 bars are made out of 7075 aluminum and weigh in at 10 ounces. The bars (31.8-millimeter diameter) feature numerous sight lines on the clamping surfaces for both the stem and brakes to allow for an easy setup. Our bars were 27.5 inches wide and featured a 30-millimeter rise and a 6-degree backsweep (other sizes are also available). The Iodine grips use a dual lock-on clamp to ensure that your grips stay put while riding, and weighed in at 4 ounces.
Wedgie: Crankbrothers was able to save weight by using a wedge-style clamp. This design also results in smooth lines less likely to peg a rider’s knee.
The Iodine 3 stem is made of 7075 aluminum and features a carbon faceplate weighing in at 5.5 ounces. The hardware on the stem is secured via T25 Torx bolts (the same-size wrench you’d use on your brake rotor bolts), allowing for a seamless installation with a reduced risk of stripping bolts. Instead of using a pinch-style clamp to secure the stem to the steerer tube, the Iodine 3 stem uses a wedge system secured by a single bolt. This allows for less weight and bulky material around the interface between steerer tube and stem. Both the Iodine stem and bar are backed by a five-year warranty. Crankbrothers can be reached at (949) 464-19916.
Field test results: The installation of our Iodine cockpit was quite simple and went off without a hitch. The wedge clamp on the stem was admittedly easier to set up than we had anticipated. The bar is remarkably lightweight and stiff, giving us confidence to navigate any trail. The 27.5-inch width felt ideal for all-mountain riding; it is wide enough to give added control and stability while still being manageable in tight, nasty chutes. The bar’s rise and backsweep allowed the bars to rest nicely in our hands.
Get a grip: Riders who want a sizable grip will like the Iodine 3 grips.
The Iodine grips, with a 1.3-inch diameter, are best suited for those with larger hands or riders who prefer a large-diameter grip. They were comfortable and never once came loose or slipped while riding. If you have small hands, these grips wouldn’t be your best bet. For riders with larger hands, we give these grips 4-Stars.
The Iodine 3 stem is light, stiff and ensures that the front end of our bike feels solid. The stiffness can be attributed to the width of the handlebar clamp, measuring approximately 2 inches wide. We were a bit skeptical about the wedge clamp, only to be proven wrong by never having a single problem. We became fans of this system because it eliminates bulk around the steerer tube. Gone are the days of banging your knees on the edge of a stem clamp bolt. All in all, the Iodine cockpit is a solid upgrade that looks great and won’t break the bank. The system combined received a 4-Star rating from the Mountain Bike Action wrecking Crew.
