Submitted by
bike junkie
a Cross Country Rider
from southeastern mass Date Reviewed: March 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
any thing challenging
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
good on the back
Weaknesses:
too narrow.
Bottom Line:
i think it is a comfortable bar with the exception of being too narrow. i had to add in bar ends to give me a little more room. i'm kinda a big guy though, so i can't hold that against the product. seem to be pretty strong, though i haven't had any real diggers yet. can't feel any flex. they came on my bike but i plan to swap them out soon. if they were only a little bit longer, i would love em!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gaoo
a
from Quebec Date Reviewed: January 16, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Bromont
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
9 degree bend -fits perfect, not stiff as flat bars, more control
Weaknesses:
paint is not the most durable (just fly over the bar one time and the paint will go a little), maybe you will have to change you housing if they are short, be not a major problem
An other good product from Bontrager, make you feel more confortable while riding (will test in DH this summer), 9 degree is just good. It's dull we can't see the crow-bar writing (under the grips). And it's as light as my old Icon flat bar. Throw your flat bar and get this one!
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Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from Jupiter, FL Date Reviewed: January 7, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Local Bike Shop
Strengths:
Lighter than the Coda straight bar I replaced. ( degree bend felt natural for my wrists. Excelent ergonomics make this a very comfortable piece. Width is good for bigger guys like me with broad shoulders.
Weaknesses:
My Sachs grip shift system puts the brake levers in a less than optimal place but it is not THAT bad. Should be perfect with a rapid fire setup. I still use bar ends with this setup so not using bar ends would put everything into place.
Similar Products Used:
I have a good Profile riser on my 2001 Raleigh M80.
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Super V 900
Bottom Line:
Comfort and control dude! Makes the Cannondale feel like a motocrosser. The riding position is more neutral and not so far forward as it was with the flat bar. I resisted the riser thing untill I put them on my M80. After a long ride last Saturday, my aching back said to get a set for the Cannondale. Very solid.
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Submitted by
Ryan S.
a Cross Country Rider
from Deerfield Bch., FL, USA Date Reviewed: December 30, 2000
Favorite Trail:
my own! ("backwoods of pompano landfill")
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Purchased At:
purchase? how the f-when you test or demo it?
Strengths:
low cost, gets people to buy it with false advertisement
Weaknesses:
everything but price, flexs to much when your out the saddle and push down, you can feel it flex downward. . .
Similar Products Used:
well, a profile bar flexs too!! but a nashbar, well, that just snaps and breaks...
Bike Setup:
my bike or the one i tested/demo'd it on????
Bottom Line:
Hmmm... -not enough strength!!, and no one else mentioned because their not riding hard, and have to much trouble with the steel flat bars on their LX-level bikes!!!!
-you'll be lured into purchasing it, because of the cheap cost, and a popular name brand "bontrager", putting their name on something designed for financial income, rather than for the consumers.........
-i only give this a 1 cause theres no 1/2, the 1/2 is for the price. . .!
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Submitted by
James Edison
a Cross Country Rider
from Madison Date Reviewed: December 30, 2000
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Strong, low rise
Weaknesses:
wide, mite have to chop it
Similar Products Used:
flat alloys
Bike Setup:
sugar 3
Bottom Line:
these are great...they're a little wide..but thats better than to thin..i like them but im deiberating wheather to go to a flat bar while they have the titec enduros at ..not gonna say..for 9 bucks
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Submitted by
Greg
a Weekend Warrior
from Mass Date Reviewed: November 1, 2000
Favorite Trail:
any
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
Cambria
Strengths:
Strong, no flex and comfortable.
Weaknesses:
A little tight when it comes time to find space to mount a Light
Similar Products Used:
All types of flat bars
Bike Setup:
Spec ground control with XT, Bont wheels, Mana's front, Rock in back
Bottom Line:
Nice change from flat bar. I am still ajusting to climbing with them.
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Submitted by
Edge
a
from Boston, MA, USA Date Reviewed: June 30, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Bretton Woods
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
13 degree rake
Weaknesses:
Maybe weight for the weenies
Similar Products Used:
flat w/bar ends and high neck
Bike Setup:
Fisher Sugar CC machine
Bottom Line:
Bought a new Fisher Sugar 3 after year on a rigid. It came with flat bars. I crashed the thing 3 times because I was always over the front wheel. I put this bar on and it was like a new ride. Perfect balance. I now put flat bars in the same catagory as biopace chain ringes. History.
Bontrager knows bars.
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Submitted by
Ed
a Weekend Warrior
from Bay Area, California USA Date Reviewed: April 20, 2000
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Comfort, decent light weight, cool looks
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Various flat bars, original riser bar on my 84 Stumpjumper
Bike Setup:
Klein Attitude- Chris King, XTR
Bottom Line:
These bars came stock on my bike, and at first I was skeptical cause I've been riding flats for years. After a test ride, my initial reaction was that these were comfy and cool looking, but how will it perform on the trail with the steep climbs.
After a year of riding these, I love it. Sure, it was easier to climb steep pitches with my flats and bar ends, but I can climb the same hills, I just have to shift my body weight around a little.
I began mountain biking on a 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper with riser bars and I'm sticking with riser bars now.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
kevin
a Cross-Country Rider
from saratoga, ny Date Reviewed: December 23, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
looks good, feels good
Weaknesses:
none so far
Similar Products Used:
stock alloy bars, scott at-3
Bottom Line:
it gets 5 burning things
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Whiplash
a Cross-Country Rider
from Chardon Ohio Date Reviewed: September 8, 1999
Favorite Trail:
still searching
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Strengths:
riser bar, price
Weaknesses:
these bars seem too narrow and the 13degree bend is hard on the wrists causing an unnatural angle. Just one dance on the bars and instantly bent and due for replacement
Similar Products Used:
Titec hellbent enduro DH bars, going back to Titec well worth the extra doe
Bike Setup:
Schwinn full suspension S10 with rockshock front and rear
Bottom Line:
spend the extra $10.00 and go with Titec
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brocko
a Weekend Warrior
from Cincinnati, OH Date Reviewed: July 5, 1999
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Everything about it!
Weaknesses:
ABSOLUTELY none!
Similar Products Used:
Club Roost Azonic
Bike Setup:
Schwinn Factory Full-Suspension
Bottom Line:
If you want a riser bar, go get this one! Absolutely! I've used more exspensive risers (Azonic) and this one is better, plus it's alot less money. And, the cross bar being welded will last! Bolt on cross bars always seem to create a stress point. BUY THIS!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
KaiTai
a Weekend Warrior
from ActonVale,Quebec Date Reviewed: June 1, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Bromont Mt. Park
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Bottom Line:
Had to change to riser bar because of neck and back pain on long rides. I got the Bontrager race bar (50$ CDN), and I will never go back to flat bars. This bar looks good, and it very comfortable. I also got the Bontrager race Aheadstem to go with it. My 98 Kaitai as never been so much fun and good looking.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
papapuppet
a Cross-Country Rider
from upstate, New York Date Reviewed: May 11, 1999
Favorite Trail:
prospect mountain
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
lightweight for a riser bar, good looking
Weaknesses:
heavier than my flatbar
Similar Products Used:
Only used flatbars to date
Bike Setup:
Specialized M2 - manitou sx - XT
Bottom Line:
I can only compare these to my flatbar and I am totally thrilled with the change. Since I'm not racing comfort is very important to me. These bars are much more comfortable and I feel like they give me more control. It may be the placebo effect but I'll never go back.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ELF
a Cross-Country Rider
from PA Date Reviewed: May 2, 1999
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Riser bar, not expensive, not real heavy
Weaknesses:
none
Bottom Line:
This is a great bar! Granted I use to do BMX so I like the bar higher. It is easier on the back and I think easier to lift the front up. I looked at the Monkey bar but could not justify the price difference just for 100 grams less weight (but it sure was nice) This price \ performance means five chilli's.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Arthritic Poser
a Cross-Country Rider
from Deland, Fl Date Reviewed: April 27, 1999
Favorite Trail:
Deleon Springs
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
9 degree bend,peened finish,logo is painted on-not etched
Weaknesses:
it's a riser bar
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
95 Trek 7000,hard tail,but even harder fork
Bottom Line:
Due to severe arthritis I have very limited movement of both wrists.I needed both more angle and more rise. With my stock 4 degree flatbar only part of my hands could contact the grips, and I had way too much weight on them. Now both hands are more in contact with the bar, and I don't have too much weight on them. The 9 degree Crowbar race fit me good when I'm posing around the 'hood but they fit great when I'm riding hard offroad ( well as hard as I can isn't really that hard). Now I can ride again!!! K.B. is right, a flat bar with the correct stem is the best solution, but I didn't want to replace both handlebar and quill stem untill I can afford an atom bomb. Anyone with arthritis or limited wrist movement should try this bar and it's 13 degree brother. I believe this is an very good product at a fair price. I award it 5 flamin' roadies!!!!!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Big Willy
a Cross-Country Rider
from New Paltz Date Reviewed: March 15, 1999
Favorite Trail:
larson loop
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
bar is very stron, i put it right into a tree going downhill and it didnt bend a hair
Weaknesses:
the bars a little on the heavy side, but who gives?
Similar Products Used:
this was my first rise bar, but it kicks ass and my back feels much better
Bike Setup:
i got a piece of shit manitou fs ti palmer and a hardtail rockhopper fs comp
Bottom Line:
this bar kicks major ass and i give it five flaming horse carcasses
Overall Rating:
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