Flat bar
- Thread starter JMAC
- Start date
Easton EC70 Carbon Bar and LP Composites bars are 125g and are 580 (23") wide. Carbon will flex and dampen but then when you crash they might break into pieces. Make sure you don't over tighten shifter and brake lever clamps because it can weaken the bar. Also, make sure you find barend friendly carbon bars if you want to run them.
I have a Profile RS fiber bar which is a big carbon riser but i put a crappy flat bar back on cause i like the position better.
I almost want to stay away from carbon flat bars cause i really don't give a rats ass about 50g that you save.
So out of aluim bars what are nice strong and not to heavy ones.
I almost want to stay away from carbon flat bars cause i really don't give a rats ass about 50g that you save.
So out of aluim bars what are nice strong and not to heavy ones.
I run a Race Face Air Alloy flat bar, I like it. My XC bike also has a flat bar OEM Bontrager for a Trek Y-22. I tried risers for a while but didn't take to them either. I've given up bar ends for now.
Here are some aftermarket bars:
Easton EA70 145g 23" wide
Race Face Bar 145g 23" wide
Your best bet and cheapest bet is to find some OEM Bontrager Race or Race Lite bars from a Trek dealer. They should let some go for cheap.
Basically almost what Serial Midget said.
Easton EA70 145g 23" wide
Race Face Bar 145g 23" wide
Your best bet and cheapest bet is to find some OEM Bontrager Race or Race Lite bars from a Trek dealer. They should let some go for cheap.
Basically almost what Serial Midget said.
Ditto the Race Lite. I got a pair in 24.5" (woohoo) for $20.00 at a shop. They came off something they sold and replaced with a riser. In aluminum though you can't go too wrong with easton or answer or any of the big guys. The weights will all be pretty similar with similar bends and widths. Kinda makes you wonder if they're made in the same place.
Easton carbon bars are really strong though. Its highly unlikely that you could break a bar without seriously damaging the rest of the bike and yourself. What you have to be careful about is mounting the bar to the stem and clamping parts on. If you tighten too much you can crush the bar. Then its toast. If you hear cracking sounds when you clamp it, you've damaged it. I'm not positive but I think carbon bars are less prone to breakage from surface scratches and cuts from stems and such unless the cut goes into the fibers. Aluminum bars, particularly thin walled flat race type bars can be damaged easily too. Sharp edged stems, cuts from removing grips with a knife can all create stress risers and cause the bar to be weaker.
I have some carbon fiber ski poles which get knicked hacked and whacked by steel edges constantly. Or whack plastic gates, get dropped in car trunks, kicked in ski racks and they are still (aparently) fine after 4 seasons of 50-60 days. So if small diameter ski poles stand that abuse, I can't see why carbon bars won't either.
Easton carbon bars are really strong though. Its highly unlikely that you could break a bar without seriously damaging the rest of the bike and yourself. What you have to be careful about is mounting the bar to the stem and clamping parts on. If you tighten too much you can crush the bar. Then its toast. If you hear cracking sounds when you clamp it, you've damaged it. I'm not positive but I think carbon bars are less prone to breakage from surface scratches and cuts from stems and such unless the cut goes into the fibers. Aluminum bars, particularly thin walled flat race type bars can be damaged easily too. Sharp edged stems, cuts from removing grips with a knife can all create stress risers and cause the bar to be weaker.
I have some carbon fiber ski poles which get knicked hacked and whacked by steel edges constantly. Or whack plastic gates, get dropped in car trunks, kicked in ski racks and they are still (aparently) fine after 4 seasons of 50-60 days. So if small diameter ski poles stand that abuse, I can't see why carbon bars won't either.
Of course, you can't go wrong with the most proven mtb handlebar in history, the 143 gram Hyperlight. It's 23 inches wide and available in 3 and 5-degree bends.
Maybe you can find a purple one on eBay and horrify your friends.
Maybe you can find a purple one on eBay and horrify your friends.
