[Funky Monk]

I'm not too aggressive of a rider (meaning I'm fairly smooth), and until recently I've considered CF to be the material for XC and road guys...so I'm now fighting the urge to get carbon bars for my new dh/fr bike, just for the sexiness and maybe to save a bit of weight (who am I kidding, I'm on a set of profiles ).

So, do they snap? Or, is CF more prone to breaking in the long term than alu?

I'm looking to get some info on the Maxm MX-6 bars in particular, but any info regarding this topic is greatly appreciated.


and oh yeah, I'm too lazy to use the search function.

 

[buildyourown]

From a material stand point, CF should be much better over the long term than alum. I don't really trust it for full on dh though. I have a LP DH on my FR/trail bike and it feels great.

 

[Heath Sherratt]

Easton has developed a new carbon fiber technology involving the use of nanotechnology. Quick explanation/demonstration of superiority of carbon fiber vs. aluminum. Easton's baseball bats are the forefront in technology and the best aluminum bats made to date, they last about 1000 contacts at 100 mph. They just developed a new carbon bat that with stood 1000 contacts at 100 mph, 125mph, 140, and 150mph!!! over 5000 contacts at increased velocities and no damage at all- none. That's a baseball travelling at 150 miles per hour and taking 1000 contacts... I thinkit's safe.

 

[Acadian]

Considering my "crashing" track record, I personally wouldn't run Carbon bars on my DH bike.

But I would definitely like to run some Carbon bars on my trail bike – I’ve been shopping for some MAXM MX-5 (26” ones) but I can’t seem to find them (all out of stock). I can’t speak for the new Easton CNT bars, but I wouldn’t run the old ones even on my trail bike. In general I’m a huge Easton fan and love most of their products, but their carbon bars has fallen short on the quality/durability side. I’ve had some Easton Carbon flat bars crack when I raced XC, and I’ve seen many risers fail.

Hope the new CNT bars live up to their expectations.

 

[buildyourown]

Easton has developed a new carbon fiber technology involving the use of nanotechnology. Quick explanation/demonstration of superiority of carbon fiber vs. aluminum. Easton's baseball bats are the forefront in technology and the best aluminum bats made to date, they last about 1000 contacts at 100 mph. They just developed a new carbon bat that with stood 1000 contacts at 100 mph, 125mph, 140, and 150mph!!! over 5000 contacts at increased velocities and no damage at all- none. That's a baseball travelling at 150 miles per hour and taking 1000 contacts... I thinkit's safe.

That is really apples to oranges. Completely different application and design criteria.
In a nutshell I would say carbon is fine if you are light and smooth and don't buy a cheap bar.

 

[Orvan]

unless somebody tells me, I don't even remember that I'm running a carbon dh bar. The FSA K-Force Carbon DH has been through hell with me. Have had a couple of head-on collision with trees but no "real" sign of early trouble. I like it cuz it's sexy.

Question though... would there be long term effects on DH bars subjected to the tie downs used when hauling DH bikes on the back of p/up trucks?

 

[BikeFan84]

Break some bars, break some colarbones. Im on aluminum, and it will stay that way for a long time. I have seen to many monkeylites break on DH bikes, but the new nanotch looks nice.

 

[Zark]

Witnessing my buddy Mark faceplant resulting in a concussion, broken wrist, broken collarbone because his monkeylight snapped was all the convincing I needed. Carbon bars are a no go for DH IMO

 

[Curb Hucker]

Ive been running thre LP DH bars all season and theyre working great, unlike a friend's monkeylites

 

[Frankenschwinn]

A friend of mine recently broke his easton monkey lites on his heckler. He subsequently broke two ribs and his collarbone too....

Better heavy than broken...

 

[Kntr]

I broke my EC70s on a trail ride..... A Protaper is only 25g heavier than a EC70. I tried the carbon to see if it helped with vibrations in the bars and I could really tell the difference. Get a Protaper and forget about it.

 

[Funky Monk]

How about them carbon protapers? Are they available in double diamond rolleyes: ) sizes; 1,5"+ rise, bit wider etc.?

I really want to give some of these bars a chance to prove their point. Do any manufacturers other than FSA make oversized cf bars? Still looking for some info on those MX-6's as well.

Easton's CNT technology sounds almost too good to be true...we'll have to wait and see I guess. Anyone have anyone actual riding time on these to tell the difference? thanks.

 

[fuzzynutz]

nanotechnology? how much is that going to cost us? way too much money for handlebars

 

[Kntr]

Get Protapers

 

[me89]

yeh im deffinatly running a set of diablos on my dh bike and i will never go to cf on dh rig. its flexy and major sketch. i would be to afraid to crash and break something besides the handle bars so my vote is stick with alluminum.

 

[Heavy C]

Syncros is coming out with a Carbon dh bar for 2005.

 

[seismic]

I run a steel handlebar. I like that they will bend before they snap. Heavy, but the thought of the bars disappearing in front of me makes it worth it.

 

[Kntr]

Carbon is for XC and trail riding with NO drops or jumping unless you are SUPER smooth. I always wanted to run carbon bars. I heard they FEEL different. So I tried one.

I rarely brake parts. I have broken ONE wheel in 5 years of mountain biking and one pair of cranks. I put a EC70 on my bike and broke it in about a month. I tipped over and the bar stuck in the ground and broke off. I dont understand why someone would run a carbon bar when a Protaper is only 25 grams heavier.... 25 GRAMS. Mud on your shoe can weigh 25 grams.

Yes the carbon feels a little different but is it worth it in the long run?

On the other side of the coin, I have a buddy that runs a carbon bar on a Surly and beats it to death and the carbon has held up. The thing is almost completely white from stratches and cracks. He is trying to break them and laughs about it. We always cringe when we see him riding that darn carbon bar.

 

[Fulton]

Ive been running thre LP DH bars all season and theyre working great, unlike a friend's monkeylites

they can't be working that great if you've needed 3 of'em!

 

[Hans]

How about them carbon protapers? Are they available in double diamond rolleyes: ) sizes; 1,5"+ rise, bit wider etc.?

I really want to give some of these bars a chance to prove their point. Do any manufacturers other than FSA make oversized cf bars? Still looking for some info on those MX-6's as well.

Easton's CNT technology sounds almost too good to be true...we'll have to wait and see I guess. Anyone have anyone actual riding time on these to tell the difference? thanks.

I think Syncros and Titec makes 31,8 cf bars.