REVIEWED: PRO Tharsis XC Seatpost and Handlebars

Getting the right handlebar, stem and seatpost for your bike can be a challenge. Fit should be the most important aspect, giving consideration to the setback of a seatpost, the length and rise of a stem, and the width, rise and sweep of a handlebar. There’s a lot to consider on fit alone.

But compatibility is also an issue, with seatpost diametre an important concern, and matching bar and stem brands being “best practice” as some brands measure 31.8mm differently. And thinking ahead, what about Di2 integration?

PRO is Shimano’s component arm, and with extensive research and development with riders and racers, they have refined their line of components over quite a few years. At a rough count I’ve used at least three sets of their handlebars and at least three different stems from PRO. All of them met expectations.

But the refined Tharsis XC range is a little special. We had a Tharsis XC low rise carbon handlebar and Tharsis XC carbon seatpost fitted to our Zesty AM long term test bike. We stuck with a Koryak short stem though.

Tharsis XC Seatpost

Don’t be put off by the “XC” in the name. While the carbon seatpost is light enough to grace a high end cross-country race bike, it is still tremendously strong – more than strong enough for trail riding if you don’t run a dropper post. The matte carbon finish looks great, but for me the two things I judge a post on are not slipping, and ease of adjustment of the head where you fit the saddle.

A good carbon post doesn’t tend to slip, and with some FinishLine carbon paste this post didn’t budge the whole time we used it. I did have the seat shift once, but the clamp really wasn’t nearly as tight as it should have been – and that was quickly resolved. The single bolt system with access from the side couldn’t be easier. You can get a full rotation of whatever tool you’re using, and don’t need to remove a saddlebag if you’re making some princess and the pea adjustments mid-ride.

What’s interesting about the post is how it can accept a Di2 battery inside it. While Di2 is only just becoming available for the masses, it’s a technological step that will proliferate. Maybe not in the next few months – but in time. Having products designed to make the technology fit easily makes sense. We can look at road bikes and see how quickly frame manufacturers started making Di2 specific frames after electronic component grousp were introduced there. Integration is part of the acceptance, as it creates a better looking product to go with the higher functionality.

The only negative for the Tharsis XC Seatpost on the Zesty was that it wasn’t a dropper post – and that’s the only reason we upgraded it.

Price: $299

PRO Tharsis XC Riser Handlebar

I haven’t ridden on a riser bar for a while, with so much time spent on a 29er of one kind or another, and the advent of wide flat bars with lots of sweep – I had the height, width and shape that I wanted. But on the Zesty, the low rise was perfect. At 740mm wide the bars came under the “just right” size for me. Of course, they are marked in increments if you want to cut them down. It would be worth getting a good shop to do this for you, using a guide and the right blade.

Just like the post, the Tharsis XC handlebar is light enough for XC at 177g, but strong enough for some pretty serious trail riding. It was reassuringly solid, no doubt thanks to how the bar maintains a fair bit of its bulk beyond the 31.8mm clamp area. It felt a lot stiffer than some flat bars I use that are barely 15g lighter and the same width. PRO are using some top notch construction.

And like the post (and stem, which we didn’t use) you can get the bar in Di2 specific formats – although just in the flat top handlebar at this stage.

With about 5 months of riding on the Zesty and the Tharsis XC bars, we’ve had no slips, no funny groans, no second thoughts. Nothing. Just a great looking and feeling handlebar that has been a solid component on the all-mountain Zesty.

RRP: $249

The only real downsides on both these parts are price. But they’re not priced too high for what they are – they are solid bits of kit that have been finished well and will last some time – plus the matte black look won’t date and looks the business on any bike you put them on.

The 740mm wide bars were perfect for the Zesty. (c) Tim Bardsley-Smith