[Test] Deity Components: CZ38 Bar, Cavity 35 Stem + Compound Pedals
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Two months ago, Deity sent us the CZ38 handlebar, Cavity 35 stem and Compound pedals. Our first impressions were really good. After spending all this time around dirt jumps from California and Barcelona, it is time to talk about these three components of the american rider owned company.
The CZ38 Special handlebar is Cam Zink’s signature bar. It is made from 7075 T73 aluminum, has a lenght of 760mm, height of 38mm, 9.5º backsweep and 4.5º upsweep. The clamping diameter is 31.8mm, weights 310 grams and costs $94.99.
The Cavity 35 stem is one of the latest components that Deity has launched into the market. It is the same as the Cavity 50, but shorter. Machined from 6061 T6 aluminum, rounded edges at all sides and multiple external and internal machining processes to reduce weight to 150 grams. It costs $99.99.
The Compound pedals have a nylon fiber composite body. We know that Deity has better offerings such as the new T-MAC’s or Bladerunner’s. The thing is that we think that both of those pedals’ platforms are too big for our likes, and that is why we chose the Compound’s. We kind of knew how they were going to perform, because we have been riding with similar pedals all these years. The Deity come with a double micro sealed bearing system on the axle and have a super thin profile that makes them weight 339 grams. Also, they offer the same grip as aluminum pedals. They cost $54.99.
Now that you all know the highlights of every component, let’s see how they performed on the trails.
This is the best handlebar we have ever tried. And the most beautiful. Seriously. Before riding with the Deity CZ38, we had a Spank Spoon. Since we put it on our bike and tested it in the street, right in front of our house, we felt that this bar had a lot of potential. You can tell that has been made with love. It is rigid like a stone and that’s good for a bar that his mainly use is going to be Dirt Jumping. If you think about it, it has been designed with the help of Cam Zink, and if he runs it, you know is good.
There are two ways to grab and ride a bar: in-grip or off-grip. Depending on how you grab it, you can see how many milimeters you really need on your bar. We used to ride off-grip, with our hands all the way out of the bar, but now we ride in-grip, with our hands inside the bar. We said that we were going to cut the bar to 740 or 750mm, but we haven’t done it. For one thing or another we continued riding in 760mm and we have got used to it. In fact, if you do a no-hands, toboggan or any other trick that requires getting a hand off your bar, those extra milimeters are helpful, helping you reach the bar at any situation.
The bar comes with a 9.5 degree backsweep and 4.5 degree upsweep and we think that is very comfortable. Everything has been well calculated. If you mount your bar on the stem correctly, you have a very robust front-end. You will be safe even on hard landings or when over-shooting a jump. We have had a few crashes on it but nothing has happened. As you can see in the photo above, that small scratch is everything that happened. It didn’t bend or brake in two. It has lasted and performed very well.
The new 35mm stem from Deity is incredible. Before they launch it to the market, we always asked ourselves why there wasn’t a stem that short on their product line. We are pretty sure that the 50mm version is good, but we prefer shorter stems. Not only the front-end of a bike looks cleaner, but because of the rideability effects, which are better. Before getting our hands on the Cavity stem, we had a Spank Spike. The Deity is more rigid and robust. And it doesn’t mean that is heavier, but when you tighten the bolts, the stem stays in its place. When it gets hit, it stays in the same place. And it has never made any weird sounds or cracks. The design is brilliant. All the edges have been rounded and smoothed off to prevent injuries or from catching your clothes if you crash. That makes it a very good and safe stem.
Even though the pedals are made from nylon fiber and not aluminum, they have performed really well. As we have mentioned before, we could have chosen other pedals, but the Compound’s are more than enough for Dirt. We don’t ask for more. They are ultra thin, lightweight and offer the same grip as a traditional aluminum pedals, but good enough to move your feet between jumps without having your shoes’ soles stuck on them all the time. The platform is just perfect.
If you look closer on the photo below, you can see that the axle has a small rubber piece to stop and prevent the pedals’ spin. In the right one, the rubber piece has worn to the point that it doen’t works how it should be anymore. That is because our foot placement. We put our right foot slightly in the inside of the platform, touching the axle and even the crank end.
But even if we have had this issue with the rubber piece on one of the pedals, Deity uses a double micro sealed bearing system on the axle, so the pedal works and spins perfect. The interchangeable pins are all in their right place, they haven’t worn out and have lasted very well.
Overall
Without any doubt, Deity makes high-quality components. The CZ38 bar and Cavity 35 stem are the best that we have ridden to date. And the Compound pedals are way better than other pedals’ brands. If you are looking for handlebars, stems, pedals, or more components for your bike, if you can afford them – because they are not cheap – have a look at Deity, you won’t be disappointed.
Test, text and product photos: Héctor Saura
Action photos: Alex Domingo
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