Are integrated 'cockpits' and proprietary aero seatposts really a good idea?

The bottom line? Go for smooth lines if speed is your primary goal - but make sure you have the time or money to live with it

Cervelo S5

There are some readers who cannot tolerate the use of the word “cockpit.” Apologies if the adopted lexeme winds you up the wrong way, but not all modern-day bikes have what you’d traditionally call a ‘handlebar and stem.’ Arguably, naming these creations after the flight deck of an aircraft isn't so fanciful - neither is compatible with amateur fettling, though clearly one to a greater extent.

There are probably more pressing considerations than naming convention. The pursuit of improved aerodynamics has meant a race for greater integration. Enter handlebar/stem duos - or - “cockpits”, and also proprietary seatposts. These mate with the frame to create smooth lines.

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