FAQ

Q: Where can I find a Profile Design Dealer in my area?

A:  Check out the Dealer locator page on our web site. It's the best way for you to find your closest Profile Design shop.

Q:  I have a question about one of the Profile Design products that I bought, what should I do?

A:  If the bike shop or mail order company that you purchased the product from can't answer your question, you can e-mail your question to warranty@profile-design, or call (888) 800-5999 ext 161, and ask to speak with someone in customer service.

Q:  How can I get some cool Profile Design stickers?

A:  Send a self addressed, stamped envelope to: Profile Design: Stickers Please, 2677 El Presidio Street, Long Beach, Ca 90810.

Q:  Can I have a catalog?

A:  You can grab a .pdf catalog on the "media" page of this website. All Profile Design products are shown on this site too.

Q:  Can I get sponsored by Profile Design?

A: To apply for sponsorship, send a well-written, spell-checked proposal by email to ksing@profile-design.com A successful individual proposal will include a rider's background, race experience, short- and long-term goals, schedule for the upcoming season, and ideally, good photos. Proposals should be polished: show us that you care and that you're ready to represent Profile Design to the public by editing and proofreading your letter.

Q: Will Profile Design support our event?

A: We are strongly in support of helping grass roots events whenever possible. However we do get a lot of requests for events support and, unfortunately can't be involved with every event. To be considered, send a proposal to bsmith@profile-design.com

Q:  How do I install my product?

A:  The best thing to do is have the shop you purchased the bars from do the installation. If you decide to do it yourself, make sure you have the right tools (torque wrench for all carbon parts is mandatory). And follow the installation instructions provided with the product. If you need installation instructions you can download the pdf from the "instruction sheets" page on the website.

Q:  Do I need my receipt for a warranty claim?

A:  it makes it A LOT easier if you have your receipt. If you lost the receipt, try contacting the bike shop or mail order company that you purchased the product from–often times they keep records of all of their sales.

Q: How do I start a warranty claim?

A: Please send an email to warranty@profile-design.com describing the exact model of your component, the damage or problem you experienced, and your contact information. We will send you a warranty form that you can fill out and mail in with the product. Or, call us at 888-800-5999 ext. 161. To view the complete warranty, go to the warranty page of the website.

Insider Tip: In the bike industry, the most infamous type of warranty is the JRA, or "Just Riding Along". If your fancy handlebar is destroyed, you probably weren't "just riding along" when it happened. So please, give us all the information about your warranty. It will allow us to serve you better. You can learn more about our warranty policies below.

Q: Who comes up with the ideas for all of the new parts?

A:  Sometimes it's our riders that come up with an idea for a new part, sometimes it's our product development guys, and sometimes it's one of our sales guys. If it's a good idea, we run with it–regardless of where the idea came from.

Q: What is the 31.8 handlebar/stem standard?

A:  The 31.8mm standard is simply a larger diameter format for stems and handlebars. It is sometimes designated as "oversize", "OS", "NS" (New Standard), etc.

For a long time, mountain bike handlebars used a 25.4mm (1") diameter at the clamp area. A slightly larger 31.8mm diameter provides greater stiffness with little additional weight. Since many road bikes use 31.8mm bars, stems can also be swapped between a wider range of bikes.

By 2005 most manufacturers of bikes and components have switched to the 31.8mm standard for the majority of their high-performance products. Keep in mind that any bar and stem used together must be the same size, whether 26.0, 25.4 or 31.8.

Q: Can I cut down carbon bars and posts?

A:  Yes, you can cut down carbon bars and posts. For best results, take your component to a local bike shop for advice and service.

To cut the component yourself, wrap it in a soft, removable tape such as masking tape to avoid splintering the carbon. Clamp the part carefully, being sure not to overstress the carbon tubes, and cut at your carefully measured mark with a fine-tooth hacksaw. Use a guide if possible. File the edges with sandpaper or a fine file until smooth.

Special note on posts: Please note that certain Profile Design posts have a reinforced clamping zone between the minimum and maximum insertion point. If you cut down such a post, it must still be clamped within the reinforced zone, leaving at least 88mm of the tube inserted into your frame.
Special note on bars: Profile Design carbon bars are reinforced at the tips for use with bar-ends. If you cut them down, you will remove the reinforced zone, and the bars will no longer be approved for use with bar-ends. (note that any modifications, such as cutting bars or posts will void the warranty)

Q: Where can I buy Profile Design components in the USA? Internationally?

A:  In the US, Profile Design components can be found at your local bike shop; any parts not already in stock can always be ordered through a number of national distributors. Many Profile Design parts are also available online.

For international customers, refer to our list of international distributors: Ask your local bike shop to contact the relevant distributor for more information.

Q: Can I buy parts directly from Profile Design?

A:  Profile Design does not offer direct sales through our website or over the phone. As noted above, local bike shops are the best place to buy Profile Design components.

Q: What size seatpost do I need?

A:  It is critical to use a seatpost that exactly matches the inside diameter of your seat tube. A difference of even .1mm can cause the post to slip or bind. Therefore, you should contact the manufacturer of your frame to determine the required seatpost size. You can also measure your existing post with high-quality calipers, but even this technique is prone to error. Consider taking your bike to a local bike shop to be measured and fitted with an appropriate post.

If you still don't see the answer to your question, please email us at customerservice@profile-design.com