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Thomson DH Bar?

Drth Vadr

Monkey
Oct 5, 2011
120
0
I'm in the market for new bars and looking for more input on Thomson DH bar. I've been a big Thomson fan mainly because I like the simple look and great resale value, but I'm not dead set on Thomson. My short list is Syntace Vector DH, FUNN Fatboy Wide Riser Bar, and Answer Pro Taper DH. I could be happy with any of these bars and should just buy the cheapest lightest one and be done. If anyone knows of another bar in the 780+ range, recommendations welcomed.
thanks.
 

weedkilla

Monkey
Jul 6, 2008
362
10
Having just bought the Answer Pro Taper DH I was gobsmacked when I put it on the scales - 450gm. I'm not putting it on the bike, just saving it for when I need to club a baby seal to death.
 

demo 9

Turbo Monkey
Jan 31, 2007
5,910
46
north jersey
A bars a bar? Why not get the cheapest with the best bend you like? I can see being loyal to a fork or tire, but idk, bars are just bars
 

Drth Vadr

Monkey
Oct 5, 2011
120
0
Having just bought the Answer Pro Taper DH I was gobsmacked when I put it on the scales - 450gm. I'm not putting it on the bike, just saving it for when I need to club a baby seal to death.
Well, I guess my list just got shorter. Claimed weight is 335g. That's 115g heavier. Someone must have forgotten their glasses.

Huge fan of the chromag stuff, just feels perfect for me...
Chromag would have made the list, but I wanted something with lo rise around 10-15mm. Not a whole lot to choose from that is not flat below 20mm rise.
 

Drth Vadr

Monkey
Oct 5, 2011
120
0
A bars a bar? Why not get the cheapest with the best bend you like? I can see being loyal to a fork or tire, but idk, bars are just bars
That is one I am not verse on is bends. I have only had bars with a 9/5 bend. Afraid to do a Thomson experiment with a 6/4 bend at the cost of a C-note.
 

bengxe

Monkey
Dec 19, 2011
211
30
upstate NY
The bend of the Thomson dh bars felt awful to me in the couple minutes I spent one. I've also only used 9/5 bars. It was distracting, I couldn't enjoy the bike because of how terrible the bars felt. I didn't know they were 6/4, I would've guessed the difference was more than that. I would see definitely stay with the angles you're comfortable with.
 
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amishmatt

Turbo Monkey
Sep 21, 2005
1,263
396
Lancaster, PA
I'm a huge fan of Deity bars because the 9x5 bend agrees with me, and the folks at Deity are awesome. I have the Dirty 30 (1" rise) on my trailbike, and the BlackLabel (15mm rise) on my DH. Give them a look.
 

curtmuss

Chimp
Jan 29, 2013
31
0
control tech VENOM bars are pretty cool,but have similar numbers to the thomson bar,i really like the feel,cheap too
 

UiUiUiUi

Turbo Monkey
Feb 2, 2003
1,378
0
Berlin, Germany
Having just bought the Answer Pro Taper DH I was gobsmacked when I put it on the scales - 450gm. I'm not putting it on the bike, just saving it for when I need to club a baby seal to death.
really?

mine weighed in at 335g

http://www.pinkbike.com/photo/4447653/

that said i went with the easton 35mm diameter havoc carbon dh bar for this year but really can't say much about it except that it's light, stiff and feels comfy.

from the op shortlist i would go for the syntace, or go for a renthal if you prefer more rise
 

juanbeegas

Monkey
May 6, 2008
355
2
Singapore
The Deity Blacklabel bar is something you could look into if you want something lightish, low rise and comfy, if you're used to the 9/5 thing...
 

davet

Monkey
Jun 24, 2004
551
3
Having just bought the Answer Pro Taper DH I was gobsmacked when I put it on the scales - 450gm. I'm not putting it on the bike, just saving it for when I need to club a baby seal to death.

check your scale. I just went down and weighed mine, 336g.

I just picked up the new Answer Carbon 780, a paltry 250g's of goodness.
 

csermonet

Monkey
Mar 5, 2010
942
127
Renthal anyone? 780mm wide, available in a variety of rises. around $80 IIRC. With a price like that and the brand that is Renthal, that is especially good value for money. Thomson is located an hours drive from my house, running their seat post. Ill trust the moto guys with my bars, aerospace guys with my arse. Just my personal preference. Bends are 7 back 5 up. I'm running 38mm rise. Really love them, used to have sunline 740mm, low rise not sure. Running these full width and like the feel much more. Light too at 365g for full width and tallest rise.
 
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weedkilla

Monkey
Jul 6, 2008
362
10
check your scale. I just went down and weighed mine, 336g.

I just picked up the new Answer Carbon 780, a paltry 250g's of goodness.

Scales checked. And rechecked. Then I swore, and then I checked again.

Bought them after checking both claimed, and posted weights (sicklines - 335gm). Mine weighs 450gm.

I have no explanation. Thats not like "within manufacturing tolerances", thats frickin heavy. 100gm heavier than ANY other handlebar I've come across. A delightful 275gm heavier than the Haven Carbon I just put on my trail bike.
 

daisycutter

Turbo Monkey
Apr 8, 2006
1,651
124
New York City
Scales checked. And rechecked. Then I swore, and then I checked again.

Bought them after checking both claimed, and posted weights (sicklines - 335gm). Mine weighs 450gm.

I have no explanation. Thats not like "within manufacturing tolerances", thats frickin heavy. 100gm heavier than ANY other handlebar I've come across. A delightful 275gm heavier than the Haven Carbon I just put on my trail bike.
Chinese knock off?
 

rayhaan

Monkey
Oct 18, 2007
522
0
ireland
I have no input on the Thomson bars, but I can recommend the Renthal Fatbar 38mm rise. 780mm wide and the sweep is perfect.
 

climbingbubba

Monkey
May 24, 2007
354
0
Deity black labels are some of the most comfy bars I have owned and you can get them in loud colors or stealth black.
 

Drth Vadr

Monkey
Oct 5, 2011
120
0
I went for the economical bang for your buck Funn Fatboy DH 785mm, 8/5.5 bend. The claimed weights I've seen are anywhere between 295g-350g. Final cost was $39.90 :-)
I really liked the Deity Black Market bars, but for half the price, the Fatboy just made sense.
Thanks to Demo & bengxe and everyone else who joined in the talk.
 
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William42

fork ways
Jul 31, 2007
3,908
634
Not much to add other then: there is resale value in handlebars? I recommend not spending any extra money on a pair of handlebars for resale value, unless they're made of solid gold or something.
 

demonprec

Monkey
Nov 12, 2004
237
15
Whonnock BC Canada
my kid has Renthals and like them alot , i read that Sam Hill ran them when he raced with Specialized and when he switched to Nuke Proof and their bars he said they where similar in feel .
 

William42

fork ways
Jul 31, 2007
3,908
634
With certain bars, yes. Easton bars have respectable resale and most carbon from reputable companies; other than that, not much.
Huh, I guess I didn't realize that anybody would be dumb enough to buy a used handlebar, particularly a carbon one that is less likely to show visible problems that could lead to catastrophic failure. I guess I just think of buying a used handlebar on the level of buying a used helmet.
 
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Drth Vadr

Monkey
Oct 5, 2011
120
0
my kid has Renthals and like them alot , i read that Sam Hill ran them when he raced with Specialized and when he switched to Nuke Proof and their bars he said they where similar in feel .
Sam Hill use to ride Funn bars in the Iron Horse days before moving to Specialized. Made the decision to go the Funn over a more expensive bar easier.
 

blindboxx2334

Turbo Monkey
Mar 19, 2013
1,340
101
Wets Coast
great resale value,
i dont understand why people are swayed b/c of resale values.. buy what you like and ride it, done and done.

if you're worried about re-sale value, chances are you will just end up getting rid of it anyways, otherwise it would have never been mentioned..


right now i have NS terra bars on my bike, cheap and stiff. a lot better than the protaper 720 AM bars that i had, those were flexy as hell and always made sketchy noises.. and 780?! holy hell, are you 6'+?
 

davet

Monkey
Jun 24, 2004
551
3
i a lot better than the protaper 720 AM bars that i had, those were flexy as hell and always made sketchy noises.. and 780?! holy hell, are you 6'+?
how does a bar make a noise? Noise usually comes from something else being loose, which likely caused the flex as well because I've never felt the 720am bars were flexy.

780mm is a pretty standard dh bar width these days.
 
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HardtailHack

used an iron once
Jan 20, 2009
6,634
5,445
Good to know the Thomson bars specs, the only bars that are close to those numbers is as previously the Controltech and the K9 bar.

I still don't understand why people get such a raging hardon over the Renthal bars, they are a normal sweep/rise and they are a crap colour, why are they the bestestest?

Controltech are lacking in the QC department, you have to set them up with tape measures as the graphics aren't where they should be and my carbon one was about 31.6mm, oh they don't answer emails either.

I did bend a Vanderham bar but they had a bad batch first up next one was good.
 

Drth Vadr

Monkey
Oct 5, 2011
120
0
i dont understand why people are swayed b/c of resale values.

I trade out parts often during the building and tweeking process. Over winter we're all making plans, new pedals here, new hubs there. A wider bar or maybe carbon?
The point is that when your a working stiff it's nice to have your old parts help you to the goal of that costly new fork or shock.
 

blindboxx2334

Turbo Monkey
Mar 19, 2013
1,340
101
Wets Coast
how does a bar make a noise? Noise usually comes from something else being loose, which likely caused the flex as well because I've never felt the 720am bars were flexy.

780mm is a pretty standard dh bar width these days.
lots of ways ;)

nothing was loose. went over all the headset/stem stuff multiple times.. my bars were super flexy, but they were on my DJ and i kinda sorta abuse the poor bugger out on some single track trails.

although it is worth noting that i called answer/protaper one day looking for the high rise in ano red cause every online site had it sold out.. luckily for me, the guy i talked to had one last set on his desk and said he'd send them to me for free (i tried to atleast offer him some money for his troubles, but he just wanted my addy).. so im not sure if they had revisions on these bars or something, but ill just assume i got some from the first batch. ;)

these were the 1st pair of bars that have flexed that much for me so much its was noticeable anywhere i rode, but (i believe) they were also the lightest aluminum bars i have ever owned, so i can understand why these didnt fare too well.. i also ride street on my bike. so theres another reason.. anyways, with that said my new bars are awesome and i dont feel any flex.
 
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