|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
Richard Dort
a Cross Country Rider
from Plymouth, ME
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | UMaine Forest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | Light, trick looking, STRONG! | | Weaknesses: | People constantly coming up to you saying that they will break on you because they are carbon. Not because they are eastons. | | Similar Products Used: | Titec AL bars. | | Bike Setup: | K2 5500c with stock stem (no markings), Full SRAM drivetrain w/ twist shifters, Magura 33s, Rolf Dolimites, upgraded shocks to Fox Float RLs. | | Bottom Line: | They work, are light, and bullet proof. I am 220lbs and ride very technical trails here in ME. I have buried the end of the bars over and inch into the ground twice and they still work with no signs of anything being wrong. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kyle
a Racer
from Ho-Ho-Kus NJ USA
Date Reviewed: August 30, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | bought used from a friend | | Strengths: | light, proper width and sweep - just the way a flat bat should feel. very rigid for a CF bar. | | Weaknesses: | early carbon bars like these required reinforced bar-end plugs, but i dont use em so who cares! | | Bottom Line: | compared to other carbon products like from LP these easton bars are fantastic, they fit just right with the correct measurements from the factory. strongest/stiffest CF bar ive seen! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Cross Country Rider
from Mountain View CA
Date Reviewed: April 13, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Henry Coe | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | oem | | Strengths: | 4 years and 5K miles with no marks | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Aluminum bars | | Bike Setup: | Ritchey Shorty Bar Ends
Thomson Stem | | Bottom Line: | These bars have been fabulous. I just took them off to put on some Monkey Lites and there isn't a mark on them from the Thomson stem or the Ritchey Shorty bar ends. They look as good as the day I bought them. These carbon fiber bars are the only way to go. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Daniel VanDurmen
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa, OK. USA
Date Reviewed: March 1, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Turkey Mountain Park | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$79.00 | | Purchased At: | Bicycles of Tulsa | | Strengths: | Perfect width and sweep, absorbs vibration, light, strong, and looks killer! | | Weaknesses: | None so far! Other peoples coments about Thompson stem compatability has me a little concerned. | | Similar Products Used: | Scott AT-3, Qranck, Zoom 170. | | Bike Setup: | Castellano Fango, XTR, Thompson, Crossmax XL, IRC Notos, etc. | | Bottom Line: | Well worth the money. Safe for use with bar ends as long as you pick a model with a wide smooth clamp. I've had bar ends on mine since new with no problems. Odi's new clamp-on grips are good with this bar since you don't have to use adhesive or solvents to get them on and off. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Seeker
a Cross Country Rider
from SC
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | Super lightweight. Absorbs big shocks like a spring. | | Weaknesses: | Maybe too light. Springiness can be a little disconcerting when switching from AL bar bike to CF bar bike. Easy to crush these bars with the wrong stem and minimal clamp force. | | Similar Products Used: | geez lots of AL bars | | Bottom Line: | These things would be perfect if the center stem mount area was solid carbon fiber. Maybe the bar end mount are too - say a friction fit carbon plug (are you listening Veltec?).
These bars are real easy to damage with Thomson stems. And the damage is completely concealed until you tear your front end down for a fork change (or the bar shears in half while you're riding!). Easton knows about the Thomson compatibility issue but doesn't offer any info at their website or in handlebar documentation.
On the other hand, their warranty and CS is excellent.
| Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ming Lee
a Cross Country Rider
from Central
Date Reviewed: January 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Chi Ma Wan | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Flying Ball | | Strengths: | Looks high tech, light and very durable. | | Weaknesses: | None right now | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F4000SL hardtail | | Bottom Line: | Thought I'd give some feedback on the CT2 since the bar has been very good to me so far (knock on wood). Keep hearing stories of bar's breaking in mid air etc. which scares the bejeezus out of me but I've had no issues at all with CT2. Would recommend this to anyone who lives by the moto "light is right". When I get my new full suspension rig I won't hesitate to put on another Easton carbon bar, probably give the monkey light XC a shot.
Safe riding ....
Ming | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Best
a Racer
from Lake Ann, MI, USA
Date Reviewed: October 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | North Country Trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$75.00 | | Strengths: | Super light and it looks great. | | Weaknesses: | It has dented on the ends where I have my bar ends, which causes my barends to twist when I pull back on them super hard. Not a huge deal though. | | Bike Setup: | K2 Zed Team, XTR everything, Crossmax wheels, Manitou Mars CL fork | | Bottom Line: | Great handlebar. Carbon fiber is super strong. Plus it looks fabulous. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sarah
a Racer
from Pittsburg, KS
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Devil's Den, AR | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Lightweight, some flex, snob appeal :) | | Weaknesses: | the unshakable fear they might snap | | Similar Products Used: | Easton Scandium | | Bottom Line: | Had one for almost a year. Carefully tightened my stem/shifter/brake clamps and check these areas every 2 weeks for signs of scratching or abrasion, etc. If you tend to be slightly OCD like this, then these are the things you'll love about this bar: SO light and oh-so sexy, eases the metallic chatter you once knew on rocks, has a definite flex you learn to love, proven safe when used responsibly (read the manufacturer's directions.)
For those big, studly downhiller types, you too can love this bar! It's all about following the tech specs and respecting the properties of the material. And yep, it will break if you scratch it enough. I give it full flaming lumps for value and overall rating, because in my opinion, this is the best thing on the market in it's category. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terri
a Racer
from Orlando, FL USA
Date Reviewed: August 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Razorback, Reddick FL | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike shop | | Strengths: | Great absorbing shock - no more carpel tunnel symptoms after long rides and races. Lightweight. Looks great. | | Weaknesses: | Dangerous. They break and don't bend. Don't have faith if using on rough terrain. | | Similar Products Used: | Aluminum | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Homegrown Pro Enlightened - XT/XTR derailers, cranks. Thompson seatpost & stem, Cane Creek Pro Wheelset w/ ti spokes and hubs, Avid shifters. No barends - quit using those a long time ago - no need in Florida. | | Bottom Line: | My handlebar broke as I was decending a very steep drop off. All I remember was loosing control and grabbing onto the air - while holding my handlebars. When I came to, I had a concussion, broken scapula, and damage to the AC joint - I go for the MRI tomorrow. The bars broke clean at the stem clamp. They were not overtightened and I have never used bar-ends on them. I have put these bars through a lot of races for the past year of use and they have over 2500 miles on them with all the urban assaults. I really liked them but have lost faith in carbon now. Back to aluminum for me. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Cross Country Rider
from Grand Rapids, MI
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist | | Strengths: | Durability, Lightweight, Appearance, Shock Absorption | | Weaknesses: | Some flex (but absorbs the shock!), Short length. | | Similar Products Used: | Answer, Profile, Stock Icon bar. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8500 | | Bottom Line: | Excellent Handlebar. Why would anyone use anything else? I was somewhat concerned when I bought it back in 99 about breakage at a 185lbs, but after 2+ years heavy use, several crashes and using long bar ends I have not had any problems. Excellent price considering its competition and overall value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from No-CAL
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Durable, light, looks | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Bike Setup: | SC Superlight | | Bottom Line: | I've used this bar for a while now. It is on bike number 2.
I have crashed at least a dozen times with this bar. A few times very hard.(I.E. broken helmet) It still looks great and will probably keep going for a while longer.
I think back to before I had the CT2 and how many times I would have to buy a new bar after a hard crash. Alloy bars are cheap, but in the long run the CT2 is a better value. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fish
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: June 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anything up in Pisgah + Bull Mt. & Chicoppee | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | Outback Bikes - ATL | | Strengths: | Weight, absorption quallity & looks | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Bottom Line: | Awesome bars. Bought originally to help take some of the punishment out of riding an aluminum hardtail, it worked great. Now have on my new full suspension rig and they are as good as ever. I have had my share of great recks and these things are still in mint condition. Be carefull with bare ends as some will crack the gel coat on the carbon and ruin them. I use som little light plastic bar ends that Easton recomended and they work great. Light, strong and lasted 2+ years, double thumbs up. Great bars, worth every penny. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mad Rider
a Racer
from Columbus
Date Reviewed: June 2, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | North Shore | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | bike surpluss | | Strengths: | SUPER LIGHT AND REALLY STRONG | | Weaknesses: | NONE | | Similar Products Used: | THERE IS NOTHING THAT COMPARES TO THIS! | | Bike Setup: | C-DALE EAVEN 2000 FR, FULL XTR DRIVETRAIN, FOX FLOAT R, SUPER-FATTY D, HOPE DH DISC, MAVIC WHEELSET W/ XT HUBS, EASTON BARS AND POST | | Bottom Line: | BUY THIS IF YOU CAN AFFORD IT IT IS WORTH IT
THIS DISERVES 7 STARS OUTTA 5
THEY ROCK | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
lo_dee
a Cross Country Rider
from Alberta,Canada
Date Reviewed: May 12, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Light, vibration dampening, sexy | | Weaknesses: | Expensive | | Bottom Line: | Beautiful looking bar that has held up fine (even after my original front fork didn't). Lightweight isn't a problem even if you like to take the odd jump during your riding routine. Lifetime warranty sounds good on paper...we'll see....haven't had problems yet. Too bad they don't make one in a 0 degree bend. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Timothy Norejko
a Racer
from Lancaster, PA USA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue Marsh, PA | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | light, shock absorbing | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Answer aluminum bars | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight with XT, XTR parts | | Bottom Line: | I would highly recommend this handlebar to anyone who has problems with hand and wrist pain when ride. I just finished a 6 hour endurance race with mostly rock and root terrain with no hand fatigue, that I usually suffer from when riding the same conditions with an aluminum bar. This bike makes a significan difference in weight as well. The fromt end of my bike feels much lighter with these bars. Buy em. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Rajewski
a Weekend Warrior
from Shelby Twp, MI
Date Reviewed: February 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Pontiac Lake | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | n/a | | Strengths: | Light, Strong, Vibration Dampening.... followed up by THE BEST WARRANTY IN MT. BIKING. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bike Setup: | C-dale Super V, Race Face/XTR drivetrain, Easton Carbon post and Bar. | | Bottom Line: | After several rides where the bar spun in my stem, I decided to get serious and crank it down. Needless to say, DON'T do this. I over-tigntened the stem and cracked the bar. Easton's I-net site directed me to Patrick Pillar at Valtec sports (they handle the warranties). I sent the bar to Patrick, they "inspected" it...determined I was a bone head and SENT ME A NEW BAR ANYWAY ! ! ! No, their products are not "cheap" to purchase but they are cheap to own over the long term. I HIGHLY recommend their products. Thanks ! ! ! You guys rock ! Let's see.......how do I give em SIX flamin chillies............ | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dustin
a Cross Country Rider
from charlottesville, va, us
Date Reviewed: January 29, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | looks tight if you take a close look at it
pretty light (125g for a 5 degree rise)
damps those vibrations | | Weaknesses: | getting grips on SUCKS | | Similar Products Used: | easton ea70, bontrager race | | Bike Setup: | trek 800, all lx/xt | | Bottom Line: | this bar is a really great one, probably the best, if you wanna pay 70$. you can get an EA70 for 40 bucks and it is just as light, BUT IT DON'T DAMPEN THE VIBRATION! this bar mellows those jagged rocks and quick root hits that a lots of suspension wont even recognize as a hit. feels like a rolling glide over the rough stuff, while just as stiff as ANY aluminum. you want it. you know you do. so get the mutha. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marko Blau
a Racer
from Switzerland
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Trials | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Strengths: | Very, very, very light | | Weaknesses: | cracks on both sides of the stem clamb | | Bottom Line: | First see a foto or a video of my broken monkey lite here (copy and paste the whole link):
http://www.vtcz.ch/index.php?goto=/pages/video/cracked.php?url_s=englisch
DON'T BUY THESE HANDLEBARS!!! Mine now have two cracks on both sides of the stem clamb. I think its not caused by the clamb. It is a construction problem. The bars are made of two halfs I think, very weak. At least this construction is a problem when you mount the bars not horizontally. In this case you have greater loads on the seam where the two carbon halfs are bonded together. You might not see the cracks, put some white paint on the seam near the stem clamb and then push the bars down pretty strong, now the crack should open, if there is any and you'll see it because of the white paint.
Ok I rode this bars on a trials bike and jumped a lot but I'm not heavy, only 65 kg and rode the bars for only about 4 months. One other problem ist the bad roundness of the bars. THere is a roundness error of 0.5 mm. When you measure the diameter of the bar around it, then youll find a difference of 0.5mm between smallest and biggest diameter. Because of this youll damage the bars while tightening the brake levers (the pressure is not the same around the bar).
I'd say very, very bad manufacturing... | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terry Toste
a
from Ukiah, California
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any trail I haven't been on | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | These bars are really comfortable. I usually break aluminum 120g bars, but not these. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | A 01 Ellsworth Truth with all the fixin's
| | Bottom Line: | If you are worried about putting barends on this bar, make sure you read Easton's note. It's not a problem. Do not and I mean DO NOT over tighten your barends. This will prolong the life of the bars. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lloyd
a Cross Country Rider
from City of Trees
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | that one, this one, every one | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Light, strong, vibration dampening. | | Weaknesses: | Wee bit spendy, could be a little wider. | | Similar Products Used: | Race Face hi-rise bar, Icon AL flat bar, Specialized Lo-rise. | | Bike Setup: | Gunnar frame, Thomson post/stem, XTR/517 wheelset, Race Face cranks, Time ATAC, etc..... | | Bottom Line: | Great handlebar! I have tried 4 - 5 different bar and stem combos and I think that this bar is a winner. I was never sure what people meant when they talked about "vibration dampening" before I rode this bar the first time. I don't use bar ends, so no issues with that. My only wish is that this bar was an inch wider - but that's probably because I switch back and forth between this 23" wide flat bar on my geared bike and the 26.5" riser I have on my singlespeed. Hands down, this is the best flat bar on the market. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fritzman
a Cross Country Rider
from Ottawa, Canada
Date Reviewed: September 14, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | MTBR - classifieds | | Strengths: | Light, looks, *maybe* some absorption | | Weaknesses: | Apparently, it can break. | | Similar Products Used: | Cheapie DH bar that came on another used bike | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight, Mavic CrossMax, SRAM shifters/brakes/rear derailleur, Raceface SYStem (soon to get bar) | | Bottom Line: | Even though the bar broke on me last night, I still think it's a decent product. Would I ride on one again? No. My confidence in carbon has been lost forever. I actually sheared the entire right side of the bar off (up to the stem) while pulling *UP* for small rock face I wanted to wheelie on. Thank god it didn't happen while on a technical decent. I didn't over tightened the stem clamp as I've been able to twist the bar within my RaceFace SYStem on harder landings. I think the main problem is that carbon doesn't bend, it breaks, so no warning or limp-home mode is available. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul Lang
a Cross Country Rider
from Asia
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | any trail. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Weight, shock absorbtion, strength, looks. | | Weaknesses: | unable to use bar ends if needed. | | Bottom Line: | Performs as advertised. Darn light but does not give you any insecure feelings when riding. Works great with the MG60 (though the oxidation lets the stem down).
An excellent and dependable product. Minus one for value only because I got mine expensive :( | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Grant
a Cross Country Rider
from Anahiem Hills, CA
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | John Bull | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Light weight and very stiff. Did I mention strong too? I was suprised. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bottom Line: | I did my research, including speaking Easton directly before purchasing this bar. I am a larger rider (6'3"/220) and thought this may not hold up to my riding. According to the brand manager at Easton, they would without difficulty. And so I purchased them.
I went ODB on a nasty/rutty/rocky downhill with them and they came out unscathed. Love the weight and the rigidity.
Great purchase! Great product! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kenji
a Cross Country Rider
from Baltimore, Md
Date Reviewed: August 8, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | AVALON | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | performance | | Strengths: | Light weight, shock absorbtion, cool looking, reliable, great bars, except... | | Weaknesses: | No reinforced bar-end plugs. Gesh, you would think that as much $$$ you pay for this stuff, Easton would make it easier to clamp components to their products. | | Similar Products Used: | Aluminum handlebars | | Bike Setup: | 97 Homegrown - hard-tail | | Bottom Line: | I love these bars. I've had them close to two years and haven't had any problems with them other than my bar-ends slipping.
I hate the fact that they don't come with a solid, light weight plug that can be used to reinforce the addition of bar plugs. For that reason these bars are over-priced.
For those that are having bar-end problems, you can find cheesey bar-end reinforcement plugs that provide enough support to tighten down your bar-ends. Best of all, they're made in Taiwan! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick Fenton
a Racer
from Clinton Connecticut
Date Reviewed: June 30, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any one with rocks | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | www.performacebike.com | | Strengths: | It is incredibly stiff, yet the carbon eradicates vibrations. It's the lightest, yet its the strongest. The crash repacement policy is the best i've seen. I love thsi bar and will use it on all of my XC bikes, thanks easton! | | Weaknesses: | can't use barends, and i don't have another bike i can put one on, soo it looks like i'll only be using one CT2 this year :-( Maybe I'll by another bike so i will have a legitimate reason for buying another one, :-D | | Similar Products Used: | alluminum bars | | Bike Setup: | K2 | | Bottom Line: | awsome bars. Why buy anything else? It's the lightest and the strongest, except when u put barends on them. These are my favorite bars, you wont be disapointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Cross Country Rider
from Prescott, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Submarine rock | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light, flexible. Helps soak some of the vibration. No numbness with this bar on lomg rides | | Weaknesses: | over tightening clamps can score the bar causing failure | | Similar Products Used: | Aluminum bars. first carbon | | Bike Setup: | S-Works hard tail | | Bottom Line: | Recommend it to anyone even if it is a little pricey This bar soaks up the hits and is super light. I prefer it over the aluminum bar I had before. Don't know how it holds up in a crash, yet. Good looking graphics. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Supergo | | Strengths: | Light Weight, Great Looking, Very Strong | | Similar Products Used: | Stock Handelbar | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mountain Oxygen Race | | Bottom Line: | A great handelbar at a great price! You can't beat the replacement warranty!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Karl Ehlert
a Racer
from Redwood City, CA
Date Reviewed: June 15, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | find your own! | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Veltec | | Strengths: | really do lessen high frequency vibration, stiff and LIGHT | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | first carbon fiber bike product ever | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Obed, XT,Avid, Mavic 517's, etc | | Bottom Line: | I had a hard time taking off my old 150 gm Ti flat bars (Performance), but after repeated urgings from my expert racing bud, finally went for a wider bar...Turns out the new CT-2's are only 5/8" wider (3' bend). Well, turns out that little bit makes a discernable difference. I could feel the wt. difference too (I am very used to how my bike feels). I can throw the bike mo bettah side to side out of the saddle, sprinting, more control and or easier to muscle the front end around. And yes, the high freq. is dampened by the carbon, ie asphalt vibration. I look forward to really riding them hard at this weekends XC race! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sam
a Racer
from Deep River
Date Reviewed: May 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | North Haven bike | | Strengths: | Lightest out there, looks, vibration killer | | Weaknesses: | huh? | | Similar Products Used: | Kore lite bar, Coda Expert | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale F1000 Hardtail, XTR/XT deraillers, rear disc, Coda 2x9 crankset | | Bottom Line: | These bars are great. They're light, they stop the numbness in your hands that you get w/ aluminum bars, and they look awesome too. You have to deal without using bar ends, no big deal, a few months and you're all set. Easton tells you NOT to use bar ends for a reason, so when your bars break after you crash while using bar ends, dont bi**h about your stupidity. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jose Rodriguez
a Cross Country Rider
from Littleton
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Colorado trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist | | Strengths: | Very light, good looking | | Weaknesses: | Narrow at 23" (for my taste). A bit flexy | | Similar Products Used: | Raceface DH riser bar, Control Tech, Bontrager | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Sugar 3, Gary Fisher Paragon | | Bottom Line: | Your money won't buy anything lighter and better looking than this bar if you are looking for a flat, 23" wide handle bar, ideal for XC racers and gram-saver wenies. I had it on my Sugar 3 but because this bike allows me to double my downhill speed when compared to my hardtail, this smallish, flexy handle bar gave me no confidence. I replaced it with a monster Raceface riser downhill bar. I put the C2T in my hardtail where it replaced a similar size aluminum bar. For a light weight hard tail, this is the ticket. I have end bars and I have not seen any problems. If you like to freeride or just plain bomb downhill, you are better off with a stouter bar. And added bonus of the carbon is that you can touch it with your bare hands when the temperature is below freezing and you won't let you skin on it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Allen
a Cross Country Rider
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: April 4, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$69.00 | | Strengths: | lightweight, sexy looks | | Weaknesses: | To soft, don't tighten shifters or levers too tight or it'll cruch the carbon. other than that, great bar. JUST DON'T TIGHTEN TOO MUCH! | | Bottom Line: | great bar, but once you crack the carbon, it's all over, don't even think about riding with it, unless you want a few teeth knocked out. I'm about to send mine back to Veltec Sports to get it looked at, see if their warranty is as good as it sounds (limited lifetime) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
charly quintana
a Weekend Warrior
from Kuwait
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | 45km Safat (dessert) to Doha(muddy road) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | performance.com | | Strengths: | very very light, so sexy to look and feel, Strong and goes well with my LP junior braid barends | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | haven't tried any other | | Bike Setup: | Modified Cannondale SilkTrail400, Coda SeatPost 2000, Tektro superlight V-Brakes, TOPO rake Boosters, Terry Liberator Saddle, LP Barends, TOPO Semi Slick Plus Tyres, XT/LX Drivetrain and Brakes Lever and SACH Grip Shift. | | Bottom Line: | The package has a warning not to use a bar end, I ignore it coz I always wanted to try things from the opposite direction, I believe the warning is the only thing bad about this product. I already made two bad crashes these last two months, on one of them my body is covered with lots of bruises and scratches, my LP barends got superficial wounds and my Easton CT2 remains in perfect condition. Mind you, the fall made my BarEnds and the dirt road dance cheek to cheek!!! So to those who fancy putting a barends to their Easton CT2...you won't regret it!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Scott Bays
a Cross Country Rider
from Bonneau, SC
Date Reviewed: March 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali, Thompson Loop | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | price point | | Strengths: | Light | | Weaknesses: | Cost, durability | | Similar Products Used: | LP, Litespeed | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed | | Bottom Line: | I do like the bar, however the instructions say to not overtighten bar ends, but gives no torque requirement. After a mild crash, my bar end was turned on the bar. When I took it off I noticed a crimp in the handlebar where the bar end had been. I put it back on and tightened it but the next bonk resulted in the end of the bar crumbling like it was made of wood.
Probably just bad luck, but I'm back to aluminum. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
ilakano
a Cross Country Rider
from walnut creek, ca
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | "The Wall" Mt. Diablo | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Weight. 124 grams is really nice. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey Pro | | Bottom Line: | This bar is almost too good. I have to climb many many hills in my area and weight is a big deal here. It is narrower than my last bar which helps on the singletracks. The prices are coming down and if you can catch a sale, its the best. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeremy
a Cross Country Rider
from Portland, OR, USA
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | River City Bicycles | | Strengths: | Ultra light, ultra strong, ultra sexy | | Weaknesses: | Lack of compatibility with bar ends | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager | | Bike Setup: | Klein Adept | | Bottom Line: | I really love this bar. It's incredibly light and unbelievably strong. It's so light off the bike, you almost feel like you're going to snap it like a twig when you're on the bike. But once you ride with it, you can really understand just how amazingly strong it is.
My only beef with it is the un-reinforced/un-textured ends. I suppose you could take a bit of sand paper and rough up the ends so your bar ends are a bit more stable. Personally, I use Icon bar ends on mine and haven't had them slip or make any cracking noises yet. But I do have a feeling that in a serious crash, the ends of the bar could get pretty mangled. So just don't crash with bar ends on and you'll be fine ;)
In any case... For 60-70$, you get the lightest and strongest flat bar on the market. That says a lot for value. In my opinion, this bar just can't be beat. I know I'm going to have it for a long time to come. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a Racer
from denver colorado
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | chimney gulch to apex | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Denver Spoke | | Strengths: | good flex pattern, | | Weaknesses: | had a hard time getting the bar tight enough in the stem so it wouldn't spin.
| | Similar Products Used: | answer hyper light, | | Bike Setup: | giant xtc se1, white bro's fork, xtr drive train, usc susp seat post, sella seat, american classic hub w/ sun rims, panaracer tires | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is this bar works well, and i did run bar ends through out the whole season. I have one crash that spun the right bar end 90 degrees up, but did not cause any damage. After one season of hard racing as with any bar I will replace the then with a new one. This bar may not be for everyone, but unless something better comes out or free I will run the carbon again. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan k.
a Cross Country Rider
from Detroit, MI USA
Date Reviewed: February 7, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Pickney State Rec Area/ "Poto" | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | Stiff, yet forgiving. Quailty. Warrenty. Easton name. Great service from Veltec Sports Distribution. | | Similar Products Used: | None really. It's 100% real carbon. | | Bike Setup: | Ti Clark Kent. 2nd gen XTR eight speed. Manitou Mars Super 01. Gore cables. Easton seatpost and handlebar. Control Tech stem and bar ends. Rolf Propels, Conti tires. | | Bottom Line: | You'll never need to buy another bar in your lifetime. It has a lifetime and crash replacement warrenty and the people at Veltec are great.
I did damage mine by catching a tree at 30 mph. If it is deemed there fault they (Veltec working with Easton) will replace it, at the very least for a nominal fee. If you express ship it to them, they express ship it back. It is the strongest on the market. Why do you thnk easton made bars for everyone yet never really branded their own products until now? Becasue now they have the best and why brand it out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dale
a
from Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: February 2, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Brunette Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Pillsworths | | Strengths: | Very stiff. The lightest handlebar on the market. Period. | | Weaknesses: | None. | | Similar Products Used: | Specialized and Bontrager Crowbar, briefly. | | Bike Setup: | Devinci Desperado, Manitou Mars 1, CT2 handlebar, XT equipped. | | Bottom Line: | I recommend to anyone to try this product. If you want all the qualities needed in a bar to ride cross country, this is the one. Moreover, it recieves rave reviews in all the magazines. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Racer
from Chapel Hill NC
Date Reviewed: January 14, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$6.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Amazingly stiff and light weight, oh and dont forget, damn cool looking too! | | Weaknesses: | Cant use bar ends... | | Similar Products Used: | Titec hell bent, and enduro | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Rocket 88 Stage 1, with CT2 bar, XTR and Sid SL | | Bottom Line: | I personaly think this is the best bar i have ever riden. at first it was anoying that i could no longer use my bar ends with it, but you get used to that. it has held up suprizingly well after all i have put it through. i have noticed a reduction in trial vibration, but no "flex" even off my favorit trails 2 foot jumps. if you want to ride bar ends, get a diffrent bar, and dont complain if your CT2 brakes if you use bar ends on it. The CT2 is an alsome light weight XC racing bar, that i would recomend to any one willing to read and fallow the instructions. oh and the fact i only paid 6 bucks for it helped a 'lil. :-) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a Cross Country Rider
from Santa Monica ,CA
Date Reviewed: December 17, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | sullivan canyon | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$69.00 | | Purchased At: | Helen's Cycles | | Strengths: | Extremely light and strong | | Weaknesses: | none so far | | Similar Products Used: | bontrager ti 140 | | Bike Setup: | yeti arc | | Bottom Line: | I thought it was a little bit wide so I cut off half an inch off each side. It cut very easily and cleanly. I had to tighten brakes a little more than normal , they kept slipping on the the bar. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a
from Atlanta
Date Reviewed: November 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | TSALI | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Lightweight
Strong | | Weaknesses: | None | | Bike Setup: | S-works fsr, xtr, crossmax, lp composite barends | | Bottom Line: | If you're worried about crushing the handlebar with barends, don't worry, just use a perfectly round clamped bar end...LP's work great.
I can feel the bar flexing when pulling hard on the bar ends. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
aaron
a
from milwaukee, wi,usa
Date Reviewed: October 24, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Strengths: | light, looks cool | | Weaknesses: | damned if i can find one | | Similar Products Used: | kestral carbon bar, bontrager ti | | Bike Setup: | '98 stump, sid sl, hayes, 22lbs | | Bottom Line: | love the bar, i got it right when it came out and rode it for two seasons before it broke in a coligiat race. i hit a stump at about 25mph did a nice superman. after a five minute recovery(talked to some cute girls who watched the crash, i was also pretty dazed) i went to grab my bike the right side broke off right at the lever, i don't blame the bar. i found the other chunk imbedded in the kentucky clay. any bar would have failed afer that crash. when i bought the bar it had a "no questions asked warrenty," so when they started asking questions i felt it was ok to lie. they replaced the bar for free. i give them five, and can't wait to get out and pound on my new bar | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
henrik daugaard
a Weekend Warrior
from denmark
Date Reviewed: October 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | singeltrack | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | zaco dk | | Strengths: | wight 123g , looks , you dont get sore hands | | Weaknesses: | get a frend to make you a coble of littel alu studs for the end of your bar 10mm wide appx. 18mm thick it will add up to 10g and you will have no bar ends problems at all and still have a cool looking handel bar at a ligt wight. | | Bottom Line: | carbon is the way to go , go easton | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pan
a Cross Country Rider
from Lafayette, LA
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything technical | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | -lightweight (as others have noted: 125g)
-strong
-stiff, but not tooth-jarringly so
-carbon fiber! | | Similar Products Used: | titanium titec 118, titanium titec PG, answer hyperlite, olde skool brahma bars, scott black magic (carbon fiber weave around an aluminum core | | Bike Setup: | '00 fsr xc m4, race face, xtr, crossmax | | Bottom Line: | im 185lbs, 6' 2". i try to get air off anything i can and do minor trials related stuff on these. never had better handlebars, and i would recommend them to any cross-country rider regardless of weight or riding style. get some berts (bar end reinforcement thingies) if you are planning on using bar ends. not much more to say about this underappreciated part of a bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
C J
a Racer
from Cincinati
Date Reviewed: October 2, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Ceaser Creek | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Weight, ridgid, shock absorbtion | | Weaknesses: | Narrow | | Similar Products Used: | Bont. Race Lite Bar, Ritchy, Race Face Air Alloy | | Bike Setup: | Y2k Mt. Tam, Full XT and XTR, Bont. Race Wheels | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line on these if your a racer and looking for some addtional weght shaving these a perfect great control at higher speeds no vibration. But if you are a weakend warrior looking for something to give you a plush ride look at a softer fork. This handle bar won't do it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Luke
a Cross Country Rider
from Knoxville,TN,USA
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lock4 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light, strong, very pretty | | Weaknesses: | Possiblt Bar end problems | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager race lite, Quranc, Bontrager Crowbar | | Bike Setup: | 99 Jamis Dragon | | Bottom Line: | An exceptionally good bar. I haven't used it terribly long, but I doubt I will ever run into a problem with it. Any bar backed by a 5 year warranty is in my mind a foolproof product.
The kicker is the wight, 125 g. Wow.
I reccomend this bar to everyone except those who use high stress bar ends. I haven't had a problem with my carbon Profiles, but we'll see. Highest marks. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MARCO RIGHETTI
a Cross Country Rider
from UDDINGSTON,LANARKSIRE,SCOTLAND UK
Date Reviewed: September 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | race circuit aberfoyle scotland u.k. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | LIGHTWEIGHT,DULLS VIBRATIONS | | Weaknesses: | DOESNT WORK WITH BARENDS | | Similar Products Used: | EASTON TOP OF THE RANGE ALU BARS | | Bike Setup: | TITANIUM HARDTAIL,XTR | | Bottom Line: | LISTEN TO THESE OTHER GUYS!I DIDNT LISTEN AND WENT AHEAD AND FITTED ICON BAR ENDS,THEY FITTED PERFECTLY AND EVERYTHING WENT WELL UNTIL I FLEW OVER THE HANDLEBARS GOING DOWN A TRICKY TECHNICAL DESCENT,ONE OF THE BAR ENDS TWISTED BACK AND ENDED UP 90 DEGREES FACING THE SKY WHICH CRUSHED AND FRAGMENTED THE END OF THE BAR WHICH INSTANTANIOUSLEY PUT ME RIGHT OFF THESE BARS AS I HAD VISIONS OF CARBON SLITHERS STUCK IN MY VEINS!
I BOUGHT THE TOP OF THE RANGE EASTON ALUMINIUM BARS
THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY PERFECT EVEN AFTER 2 CRASHES WITH BAR ENDS. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rome Felicano
a Cross Country Rider
from Diego Garcia, B.I.O.T.
Date Reviewed: August 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | all of the trails here | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$69.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bicycle Outfitters | | Strengths: | The lightest!! | | Weaknesses: | My bar ends crushed the bar. I emailed easton and they said that the bar would not be covered under the warranty. So I just took out my Dremel moto-tool and cut off the crushed part of the bar- 1/2" off each side, and replaced the bar ends with a pair that didn't crush the rest of the bar. | | Similar Products Used: | Performance Ti (no bulge)bar
Titec Hell-bent riser
Answer Taper lite
Performance Topo alloy bar (150gm) | | Bike Setup: | Y2K Supergo access Ti with XTR and a whole bunch of other expensive goodies. "The Dirt Strike Fighter" | | Bottom Line: | Light, expensive, and keep your bar ends away from it!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Flat Bar Friend
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Carbon fiber look (drool). | | Weaknesses: | Its in my head, afraid it going to snap even though it won't. Ask me again after a year about the breakage factor. | | Similar Products Used: | various alum bars | | Bike Setup: | Rocky Mtn Thin Air, XT Group, Profile "Stiffy" Stem, Mavic rims, Race Face headset and XYO seatpost. | | Bottom Line: | Can't wait to try this out in a race. I've used it to commute/train and am slowly losing any mistrust I may be harbouring. By far one of the easiest upgrades I've made so far. I keep staring at it though instead of the road, could be a problem. :) It was a little pricey, 130 bones up here in Canuckland, however I got over that in a hurry. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom Doyle
a Cross Country Rider
from Hayward, California, U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake Chabot Loop | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | (Light) weight, stifness, absorbsion dampening characteristics. | | Weaknesses: | I wouldn't mind seeing them offered in a variety of colors. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager Superstock, Icon Ernie 2014 | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Gary Fisher Paragon. Stock, execpt for Race Face Turbine LP crankset, Easton CT-2 seatpost, Easton EA-70 stem, Easton CT-2 Carbon bar, Selle Italia Flight Gel seat, T.H.E. Moto XC front fender, and Avid Ultimate 'L' brake levers. | | Bottom Line: | I don't understand why I haven't seen too many other bikes equipped with this type of bar. I picked mine up for the amazing price of $29! This makes it the most value packed upgrade I've ever made to a mountain bike. This bar has improved the handling characteristics of my bike. At the same time, it provides a smoother ride because the carbon composite absorbs more road shock than my old aluminum bar. I really don't believe that you can go wrong with this bar, no matter what your level of skill. If you ride any type of mountain bike, you should strongly consider this bar! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dennis Murphy
a Cross Country Rider
from Longmont, CO
Date Reviewed: July 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Monarch Pass | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Light, rise & sweep fit, just the right amount of flex. | | Weaknesses: | Can be tricky to tighten bar ends without damaging bars. | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic, Race Face. | | Bike Setup: | Turner XCE, Z2 Atom 80 forks, lots of Syncros and XTR. | | Bottom Line: | I like them alot. Bars fit me, and I have not had any problems with them slipping in the stem or bar ends rotating. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kFanghe
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Extremely light and beautiful. | | Weaknesses: | Made in Mexico (but that's ok, how else can you sell it for $69). Barends, not sure if I'd trust putting them on. | | Similar Products Used: | Zoom 150, steel, Hyperlite | | Bike Setup: | Ellsworth Truth | | Bottom Line: | Overall this is a good product. It does what it claims to do. I actually found it stiffer than my aluminum bar set up. Does everything a handle bar is suppose to do minus the weight. The only draw back is that I would caution anyone putting barends on this bar. I put a set on initially and tightened them down, enough so that I heard a little creak from the bar. Problem was, the barends still moved. So I eventually took them off not wanting to tighten them any furthur and risk killing my new bar. Hence, learn to ride without ends. 4 1/2 flames. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Racer
from traverse city
Date Reviewed: July 18, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Light and shock absorbing looks sweet | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Answer Hyperlight | | Bike Setup: | Trek 9.8 full XTR Crossmax UST | | Bottom Line: | Very sweet bar, not only very light but very comfortable compared to my answer bar. Looks awesome on my bike, and since I dont use bar ends I have had no problems with the bar. Definitly worth every penny I paid for it Five flammin huge poop piles | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin Longley
a Cross Country Rider
from Petaluma, CA
Date Reviewed: July 13, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | China Camp | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light, Cool | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale Jekyll 3000 SX | | Bottom Line: | This bar is great except when you want to add bar ends. I found that a 1/2" copper pipe union fits perfectly inside the bar. The unions don't add much weight and they enable you to tighten the bar end clamp without distorting the carbon fiber walls. And as an extra bonus, the end caps will fit the inner diameter of the unions. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain View CA
Date Reviewed: July 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Henry Coe | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Very light.
Good looks.
Reasonably Priced. | | Weaknesses: | The bar ends need to be well made or they will crush the ends of the bars. | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey Logic aluminum | | Bike Setup: | Stock Santa Cruz Superlight | | Bottom Line: | These are nice bars - very light, and the flex adds to the comfort. However, many bar ends are not well made (Profile in my case) and can crush the carbon fiber - it's not as forgiving as aluminum. Easton replaced my bars, and I found some nice Ritchey ends that use a very low stress clamp. The key with the bar-end is to slide it on the bar and check for daylight. If it isn't perfectly round, it will likely damage the bar. Icon and Control Tech were recommended by the Easton rep, but the important thing is to find one that fits tight and has a perfectly circular clamp.
On the flip side, the aluminum version of this bar is half the price, and only 20 grams heavier. However, I would expect the carbon fiber to last longer, as aluminum will eventually fatigue. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Royce Volker
a Cross Country Rider
from onida,sd
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | centenial | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | very light and pretty | | Weaknesses: | just the price | | Similar Products Used: | bontrager aluminum | | Bike Setup: | giantmcm 980 carbon,ct 2 seatpost,mavic 517 rims,king hubs,ti spokes,sram 9.0 drive train with carbon pods and levers,xtr ti cogs,mythos 395g slicks,wtb ti saddle,race face cranks,rockshox Judy with Englund air cartridges and a Fox Vanilla floater on the back. | | Bottom Line: | This is the perfect bar.I have not noticed any flex in it.I couldnt get my old bar end to fit so I left them off,and after further review have decided I dont need them.This bar matches my bike set up to a tee.I give it two thumbs up and ten flaming burritos! PS I got it for 50 bucks because I work at a shop so the value rating is a little high for the ratail cost of $79.95 | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
James
a Cross Country Rider
from San Ramon, CA
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | skeggs, demo forest, wilder | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Lightweight, pretty | | Weaknesses: | Scratches easily, need to be careful with bar ends | | Similar Products Used: | Easton aluminum | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Superlight, Chris King w/ Valiant rims, Thompson seat post, Avid 25 brakes, WTB Saddle, SRAM 9.0SL, Race Face LP Cranks, RF Ti BB, Speedgoat Mod 3 Fork, Ritchey Ti Pedals, 23.5-23.75 lbs. | | Bottom Line: | Like the bar a lot, but had Bontrage Ski bend bar ends which have an oval clamp. After a few crashes including a 30 mph superman in a race, I cracked both ends under the bar ends and frayed the left end when a bar end gave way during a steep climb. Called Easton and their crash replacement policy is not free....just a discount on a new one $39. They recommend Control Tech or Icon bar ends because of their round clamps. I've got the CT stubbies on order, so we'll see!! Otherwise, I might have to go back to an aluminum bar. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik B.
a Cross Country Rider
from Conway, AR
Date Reviewed: April 28, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Mocassin Gap | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light and SAVVY | | Weaknesses: | None Yet | | Similar Products Used: | Salsa, Bontrager, cheap huffy crap | | Bike Setup: | Trek STP200, stock other than Easton CT2 bar, Speedplay pedals | | Bottom Line: | SWEET Upgrade! Its lightweight, strong, and oh so pretty! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
gary
a Racer
from san diego
Date Reviewed: April 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | weight
durability
warranty | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | profile xc 150 carbon | | Bike Setup: | 21.5 hardtail racer | | Bottom Line: | If you dont use bar ends this bar is probably the best carbon bar available. I cant say the same for their seatpost though. It weighs 125 gms and has never creaked or had any delamination problems, a superb racing product, a must for xc racers. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rockohaulic
a Cross Country Rider
from palmdale
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Sequoias and Anderson Truck Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Light
Cool looking
Awesome Warantee
Proven manufacturer
| | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Various Al bars. | | Bike Setup: | Titus Racer-X
2000 Marzocchi Z2 Xfly
Easton Carbon bar and seatpost.
Chris King/DT Revo/Valiant wheelset
XTR drivetrain
Truvativ ckrankset
Time ATAC pedals
Avid Arch rival 50 brakes | | Bottom Line: | This bar is awesome. Absolutely incredible how ultra-light and strong it is. It has taken plenty of abuse that my 185 lbs could throw at it. It looks great and helps build up a beautiful, light bike. I never thought a mountain bike could be so cool to look at. A work of art. Picture this: Carbon Fiber Bar, black foam grips, XTR combo shifters/brake levers, Black Race Face SyStem, Black Chris King headset, NSX Red Titus Frame (too cool!), Polished Aluminum/Black & Red Marzocchi Z2 Xfly. Beautiful. Did I mention how light it is!!! I have had zero problems with this thing. None. And that speaks volumes for something that is so light. I know it's just a bar. But it is part of a balanced system, and if the parts are the best quality, and work in harmony, then the system is better than the sum of it's parts. Accept No compromises!!!
Buy this bar. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Blake
a Weekend Warrior
from Lubbock, TX
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Weight to strength ratio | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | answer hyperlite | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh M400 Hard Tail | | Bottom Line: | Great bar! Haven't had any problems. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dwain ''dwainer''
a Racer
from birmingham alabama
Date Reviewed: March 11, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | oak mtn state park (downhill section) | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | light, looks sweet, fairly stiff, you can go off 5 ft bridges and land smack dab on it | | Weaknesses: | little bit of flex, clear coat scraches easilf | | Similar Products Used: | specialized | | Bike Setup: | 99 fsr stock | | Bottom Line: | light fairly stiff , but a little bit of flex,great for beating the crap out of slower mountain bikers, and spandex warriors | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Schlueter
a Cross Country Rider
from Arlington, TX USA
Date Reviewed: March 7, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | City Park, Austin TX | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Weight
Strength
Carbon look
| | Weaknesses: | Can crunch if you tighten bar ends to much, just use your brain when you put them on! | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | FSR-XC Pro, XT/XTR, Mavic Ceramic 517's, SID XC, Vanilla Float RC | | Bottom Line: | This is a very nice product! Read the article mentioned i9n the previous post. I did notice a little cracking when installing my bar-ends. However, I have noticed no problems, and I have hit a few trees with the bar-ends. I have also slammed them into the ground a few times. No matter what anyone says, so far this thing is strong! I do notice a little flex when climbing, but it's not that bad. Also this flex helps reduce some of the vibrations common with aluminum bars. Go out and get you one, you won't be disappointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joseph Kluczynski
a Cross Country Rider
from Port Deposit, Maryland
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Fair Hill | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Light weight, cool carbon fiber looks | | Weaknesses: | None as yet. | | Bike Setup: | Trek 8000, Rock Shock seat post with Sella Flight Ti seat, XTR Rear derailer Gor cables. | | Bottom Line: | Well worth the money. I noticed the reduction in weigh right away. I found no appriciable flex that some had suggested there would be. Seems to make the bike more comfortable both while in and out of the saddle. I would recomend these bars to anyone who wants less weight on top in an agressive climb or while trying to out sprint your buddy. The "trick factor" is also high as it is a nice piece of equipment to look at while riding along. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a Cross Country Rider
from Duluth, GA
Date Reviewed: January 15, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Tsali | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Very light. (125g)
Smooth finish, handsome appearance.
Carbon weave look is cool.
Lifetime guarantee! So, Try and break 'em! | | Weaknesses: | None, so far. Some say carbon bars break, however, read the article in MBA on the CT2 carbon bars. I went out and bought them! | | Similar Products Used: | Whatever came on my Trek 9000. | | Bike Setup: | S-works FSR, Mars CL, Crossmax, XTR, Time ATAC Ti, WTB SST98 | | Bottom Line: | The lightest! The strongest! Lifetime guaranteed! Not a bad price! What else do you want??
(See you in the hospital, if they break. But... I'll have a new handlebar waiting for me when I get out!) | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a cross-country rider
from Atlanta, GA
Date Reviewed: July 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
This is a great bar. Despite previous carbon bar discrepencies this one finally does the trick. At 124 grams it is one of the lightest bars on the market and it has a lifetime warranty. Best part is the free crash replacement policy that Easton has. $70 for the last bar you will ever buy!!! | | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$ 70.00
