Newmen PHASE for eMTB: carbon handlebars with width adjustment, no cutting

PHASE: the appeal goes beyond saving grams

A lightweight handlebar can look good on a spec sheet. A handlebar that lets you find your riding position without cutting carbon can solve a much more everyday problem. That is the interesting part of the new Newmen PHASE for eMTB riders: choosing width, height and grips as a complete setup, rather than buying first and discovering later that it does not fit.

The carbon range was announced on 20 October 2026. Do not confuse it with the aluminium Newmen Beskar and Performance handlebars already covered on the website. Nor does it introduce VariGrip from scratch: it extends an adjustment system the brand already used to this family. The new arrival is PHASE and its combination of variants, not the ability to adjust a handlebar for the first time.

This article is a buying analysis based on the manufacturer's product page, the Official launch dossier and the grip documentation. We have not measured flex, strength or comfort on the trail. The photographs come from the official catalogue and do not represent our own test.

Four families: choose for your riding before considering weight

There are two key distinctions: XC-Trail or Enduro-DH, and fixed width or VariGrip. Simply buying "the PHASE" does not identify the component. The stem clamp diameter and chosen rise complete the specification. In the dossier, pages 3, 5 and 7, these combinations appear:

The dates refer to 2026. As of 23 October, the Enduro-DH family is still scheduled for December: we do not present it as available now in a Spanish shop. These are European recommended prices, not verified Spanish deals or delivery guarantees. Both families offer 31.8 and 35 mm clamp diameters.

For an eMTB ridden on demanding descents, our editorial recommendation is to start with the right use category, then address riding position. Do not choose the XC version for its weight and assume all variants are interchangeable. A family name does not override the conditions of use for your bike and its components.

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VariGrip: reversible adjustment, but with dedicated grips

The system combines a thread at the handlebar end with a matching part in the grip. Adjustment lets you change the width within that model's range and return to a previous position. The official description says to loosen the grip clamp, adjust using the scale and secure it again according to the instructions.

The key point is that 50 mm is the total width adjustment, not an extra 50 mm on each side. The documentation for Resia VGS specifies up to 25 mm at each end. A 710–760 does not extend to 810, and an Enduro-DH VGS does not narrow to 710. You buy a particular adjustment range; an app cannot unlock another one later.

You also need compatible grips. Newmen offers Resia, Slat and Blok for this system; tightening a conventional lock-on grip onto a PHASE VGS does not give it the adjustment function. Do not improvise spacers, sleeves or threads. If you want to keep your existing grips, first consider whether the fixed-width version would suit you.

The practical advantage comes when you are still fine-tuning your position or sharing a compatible bike. It is less compelling if you have been comfortable at a specific width for years. In that case, paying for adjustability may offer less than choosing a grip with a familiar thickness and feel.

Width, rise and bar roll: three decisions with different effects

The stated geometry is 8° backsweep and 8° upsweep. The first describes the rearward sweep; the second the upward angle of the ends. Newmen says this combination places wrists more naturally. That is the manufacturer's explanation, not a guarantee that every rider's fatigue will disappear.

Rise describes the handlebar's upward offset, but it does not automatically raise your hands by exactly that amount compared with your current setup. The old bar's shape, bar roll and stem position also matter. Switching from 10 to 40 mm while reducing width prevents you from knowing which change helped or hindered you.

A sensible comparison starts by recording your current setup: overall width, height, orientation and brake lever position. Then change one variable at a time, with the installation checked. Assess it on a familiar route without pushing limits. A position that feels comfortable when stationary may feel different when braking or weighting the front wheel.

Higher does not always mean more control; narrower does not always mean more agility. These are trade-offs that depend on the bike and how you ride it. If discomfort persists, do not diagnose it online or keep rotating the bar at random: seek a professional assessment of riding position and installation.

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Not every PHASE weighs 166 grams

The lowest claimed weight applies to a specific configuration. The official table lists the fixed-width 760 mm PHASE 350.10 at 166 g and the 760–810 mm PHASE 350.40 VGS at 209 g. These are Newmen's claimed weights, not measurements by eMTB PRO. Intended use, geometry and adjustment system differ: these are not identical components being compared.

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Comparing a bare handlebar with a setup that includes grips also leads to a misleading conclusion. The Resia product page states 110 g per pair. To calculate the actual change on your bike, compare both complete setups and the exact grip model rather than adding or subtracting figures from different products.

On an eMTB, our buying priorities would be riding position, use category, compatible installation and then weight. Saving a few grams is not worth losing comfortable brake access or introducing control incompatibility. We have not conducted a test that would justify promising that this range's carbon absorbs vibration better than your current handlebar.

The product page and dossier do not always show the same weight for the configurator's initial selection. We therefore cite the dossier's model table and recommend written confirmation of the code being purchased. This discrepancy does not prove a component fault, but it does mean the claim "from 166 g" cannot be applied to the entire range.

Stem, controls and cables: check the whole cockpit

The clamp diameter must match the stem. 31.8 and 35 mm are not two settings on the same component. Also check the clamping zone's width, declared compatibility and both manufacturers' instructions. Do not assume a stem is suitable just because it appears in a catalogue photograph.

The configurator states compatibility with two-bolt stems, but that does not approve every specific stem. It also says "Di2 compatible: no". We do not interpret this as making every bike with Di2 shifting incompatible: check whether your setup requires internal wiring, holes or accessories the bar does not support. Never drill the carbon to resolve this.

Before changing width, check the actual space for brake levers, the assistance button, dropper remote, display and GPS mount. Repositioning them may introduce interference that was not there before. Full steering movement must remain possible without pulling cables or hoses, both with the bike unloaded and under the conditions specified by its manufacturer.

We do not give a universal tightening torque: use the values and sequences applicable to your specific handlebar, stem and accessories. If instructions conflict, consult the manufacturer or workshop. Easy adjustment does not remove the need for correct fastening.

The handlebar price is not the full cost of the change

The dossier announces the same handlebar recommended retail price with and without VGS within each family. This does not establish that the complete conversion costs the same. Confirm whether grips are included, which model they are, which accessories you need and whether labour will be charged. The official Resia page shows a €22 recommended retail price for that model; we do not apply it to every combination or promotion.

The actual bill may include a stem if you change diameter, grips, fitting and a cable-routing check. If keeping costs down is your aim, compare that total with retaining an aluminium setup that already works. The new PHASE does not make a Beskar obsolete or require replacing a comfortable, well-maintained cockpit.

It is also worth asking which replacement parts will be available if you damage a dedicated grip. Reversibility has value only while you can maintain the complete system. Ask the seller for an identifiable product reference, warranty terms, an invoice and a specific delivery time for Spain; a European launch date is not a stock reservation in your name.

A methodical riding-position test without turning your ride into a laboratory

Start by noting your baseline setup and what you actually want to correct. "I want more control" is hard to compare; "I struggle to put my index finger on the brake lever without rotating my wrist" describes something observable. Do not automatically blame width: brake lever position, grips or the rest of the bike may be involved.

1. Check the model, intended use, stem and grips before disassembly.
2. Keep a record of the previous position and each adjustment.
3. Respect the system's adjustment range and markings; never force it beyond its limits.
4. Check fastenings and control access according to the relevant documentation.
5. Test progressively in a familiar setting and recheck the installation.

You do not need several loose tools or adjustments every five minutes to benefit from it. The value lies in comparing widths and returning to a setting, not changing width while pedalling. Make any adjustment while stopped in a safe place, and check it before riding again.

If you also change tires, pressures and suspension, the result stops isolating the effect of the cockpit. The Suspension Adjustment Guide helps organise those other variables, but does not replace a handlebar inspection.

Who it suits and what remains untested

The PHASE VGS deserves attention if you want carbon, need a particular use category and are still fine-tuning width. The fixed-width model makes more sense if you know your preferred width, want to retain other compatible grips and do not need reversible adjustment. Keeping your current handlebar is also valid if it is in good condition and there is no specific problem to solve.

An independent long-term test, comparable flex measurements and real-world experience with mud, wear and spare parts are still missing. We do not present the manufacturer's laboratory work as our own evaluation. For an eMTB rider in Spain, buying the right model with clear support matters more than chasing an isolated minimum figure.

Is the Enduro-DH version already available?

The announced date is 15 December 2026. When this was written on 23 October, availability was still in the future and subject to distribution in each market.

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