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Easton
EC70 Composite XC Bar
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Submitted by
Tweezak
a Weekend Warrior
from Albany, Oregon, USA
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Funnelcake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Blue Sky Cycling | | Strengths: | Reasonably priced. Smooths out all the little stuff very nicely. | | Weaknesses: | No carbon weave bling to show off to your friends :( Lots of decals (poor substitute). Made in China. | | Similar Products Used: | Zoom 155g aluminum bar | | Bike Setup: | 1989 full rigid Fisher AL-1 set up for commuting with 1.5" tires at 80psi. | | Bottom Line: | I commute about 25 miles a day and I like to run high pressure tires for efficiency. My bike is so ridiculously stiff that the marginal road surface gets really annoying. My forks don't flex at all and my hands take all the beating. This bar essentially isolates me from all of the smaller stuff. It is truly a night and day difference. The first day I had it I made a point of running over some truck tire tracks in the asphalt that made a good washboard. I could feel them through my pedals but not though my hands. I will enjoy this every time I ride.
If you are a commuter and you want a flat bar, buy it.
Other people seem to be finding these cheaper but I couldn't. I still feel it's worth the money so I'm giving a 5 for value. Probably not the lightest bar out there (only 30g lighter than my old mid 90s aluminum bar) but I'm not too concerned with weight. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sancho86
a Weekend Warrior
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: September 3, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | light weight, looks sweet, very strong | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | factory bars | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale f7 | | Bottom Line: | This bar is awesome, cut almost a full pound off the alloy bar I had and is super stiff and seems to ease some trail buzz. Definently a worth while investment for anyone looking to upgrade their bar. This thing can take a pounding and not be fazed in the least, I have the O/S version and it totally changed the ease of poping the front wheel up for obstacles. Very recomended. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
scorpions
a Weekend Warrior
from Taiwan
Date Reviewed: August 1, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Cowboy bike club | | Strengths: | Extra light and affortable for | | Weaknesses: | under investigating | | Bike Setup: | Giant 2008 Anthem 1 | | Bottom Line: | Good to fit any handbar like Ergon. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Si1ver
a Weekend Warrior
from Selangor,Malaysia
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light weight,strong ,good look | | Weaknesses: | will chipped off if you are not careful when you are cutting it . | | Similar Products Used: | FSA alu | | Bike Setup: | XC light weight | | Bottom Line: | This is one of the lightest bar around with good strength. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
rob bowers
a Racer
from mount tamborine
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | nerang state forest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Strengths: | strength and lack of weight | | Weaknesses: | felt it necesary to machine up some thin (10mm wide at he OD tapering to 3mm wide accross the centre cross section)alloy plugs to go into the bar ends and weighed in at eleven grams for the pair. No hassle there, however, the holes at the ends of the bar are not round and it took longer to fitting them than machining them up. | | Similar Products Used: | cheaper carbon bars, all sort of alloy and titanium bars | | Bike Setup: | khs alite 4000 XTR drivetrain, Am'n classic hubs, Stan's Olympic rims, Fox F100X forx, ATACs, Conti Explorer Supersonics, Serfas ti rail saddle, Stan's alloy discs, 05 Formula B4 SL discs,.. | | Bottom Line: | No better flat bar on the planet. Definite vibration damping benefit. Strong as. Light. Did I mention, strong, light and dampens vibes? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Simon
a Weekend Warrior
from Canberra, A.C.T., Australia
Date Reviewed: November 9, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Pitt Street, majura pines ACT | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | PricePoint.com | | Strengths: | Light and Strong | | Weaknesses: | None thus far. | | Similar Products Used: | Easton EA50 | | Bike Setup: | Giant Trance 2 (2006 Aust.), Fox Vanilla 125R, Sette Stem and of course these bars! | | Bottom Line: | I'm not sure whether I've actually felt any difference regarding trail vibrations/flex- my Vanillas are very plush and set up for small bump compliance. But this (in my mind) is a good thing i.e. to me they perform the same as alloy bars whilst being a world lighter :) On the cosmetic note- the front end of my bike just looks bling now. For the price I paid, they are definitely great value for money. My overall rating only takes into account the 2 months that I've been using them. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Cooper
a Cross Country Rider
from Rockford, IL
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Kokapelli's/Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$41.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | cheap, much lighter then my Kore Lite alloy bar, dampens vibration well (I dont notice much oh any on my rigid MAGNESIUM single speed), strength | | Weaknesses: | its not a CT2, but hey, it costs half as much, and knowing its heavier lets me trust it more | | Similar Products Used: | all sorts of alloy bars, even the honeycomb ones | | Bike Setup: | Litech magnesium frame, cannondale AL rigid fork, XTR/517 wheels, old XTR crank (replacing asap), Kenda Kozmik Lite 2 tires (my sweeties), eggbeaters, Thompson seatpost, Avocet o2 titanium saddle, XT linear brakes, 17 lbs | | Bottom Line: | A good bar, Ive allready crashed it hard one on pavement and after a thourough inspection found it to be completely unharmed. Im happy with it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
shiny_car
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay + shipping; 'used' | | Strengths: | light; good build quality; suit bar-ends | | Weaknesses: | 'matt' finish when some may prefer a gloss finish; full retail would make them expensive | | Similar Products Used: | Easton EA50, EC90; Titec C3; Giant CF flat bar | | Bike Setup: | Aus-spec Giant XTC2 | | Bottom Line: | these were an upgrade from the OEM EA50 flatbars, 25.4mm bar clamp, 5 degree sweep, 580mm; no huge improvement, but certainly lighter and look pretty good; they accept bar-ends without probs; I bought these 'used', making them decent value, but otherwise would be quite expensive for what they are; I like bars like these at the narrow end of normal length | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ivan
a
from C-Springs
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | 7 bridges | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | CBO or Jenson | | Strengths: | Cheap (can find them everywhere on sale now). Light? | | Weaknesses: | Long term durability (of all things carbon) | | Bike Setup: | Full Rigid | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bar because it was on sale. Is it that much better at absorbing buzz than aluminum? I can't tell. Maybe its light. I didn't check. I am concerned about long term durability so I've been babying the bar. Perhaps that's why I've had absolutely no issues. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gordon
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Roads + Off Road | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Nice graphics
Super Light
Quite Cheap
Strong
Absorbs vibration
Just the right size
Looks Cool
Lifetime warranty.... =) | | Weaknesses: | Outer graphics get scratched real easily | | Similar Products Used: | Kalloy aluminiums.. | | Bike Setup: | Progear 2005(7005 aluminium, full suspension), Shimano Component System(Alivio, Deore, crank, etc), DNM Fireball rear shock, RST T-4 Fork(76 mm travel) , Progear saddle(Velo), Easton EC70 XC Composite bar, Kevlar handgrips(Setlaz), Disc brakes (Promax 3.0)
Lizard Skins chainstay, grunge guard for both derailleurs, headset seal, brake levers. Maxxis larsen TT wheels with HIC double rims. Topeak carbon fenders (rear and front).
Dual front headlights(Powerbeam) and single tail-light(smart). Wellgo LU950 pedals. | | Bottom Line: | Wow..what can i say? This is just the best thing that i have ever bought...! Carbon may seem weak.. but not Easton's! Theirs are even stronger than some aluminium bars.. After taking off my SUPER HEAVY kalloy handlebar and switched to this... whenever i go over a small bump, my whole front wheel practically lifts off the ground due to the light weight.. This has NEVER happened before on any of my aluminium bars.. Also, the lifetime warranty has given me alot of confidence in this company.. Be sure that i'll buy a stem and seatpost from Easton really soon.. ! Way to go Easton...! Weeeee-haa! =D
(Apologies for accidental wrong posting in the EC90 review side.) =( | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark wilson
a Cross Country Rider
from heidelberg, germany
Date Reviewed: January 18, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | rodalben f trail | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | cambria | | Strengths: | ligth, durable, strong, great rise and sweep, quality build, warranty | | Weaknesses: | none that I have experienced except possibly crash damage which is true for anything | | Similar Products Used: | syncros, kore, profile | | Bike Setup: | XTR, SRAM, RF Next, FSA, Hugi 240s, Hope minis,blur, easton, mavic, crank bros | | Bottom Line: | I have had this bar for a long time. It has been on three frames. It out lasted my Ells truth which cracked twice. I have done 3-5 drops and ridden thousands of miles. After years I crashed in the sea of rocks and my left brake lever slid around the bar creating a crease. I may have to replace it. I just love this bar and I will replace it with another one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
slam lanz
a Cross Country Rider
from pittsburgh pa usa
Date Reviewed: July 30, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | looks good, light | | Weaknesses: | hey, it's a hollow plastic tube! | | Similar Products Used: | Answer, Raceface, Syncros | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Pisgah | | Bottom Line: | Not the bar to buy if you like to cut your bar to a shorter length, also not the bar to buy if you like to use bar ends (chances are you will crack the handlebar putting them on). I think it's a waste of money; get an Answer Hyperlite or a Syncros Hardcore (if you can find one) and then forget about your handlebar forever and just ride. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mibo
a Cross Country Rider
from UK
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | I don't know, it didn't snap on me before I sold it, its light and stiff and looks good?, but is a plastic tube durable in the long term? | | Weaknesses: | Long term durability. | | Bike Setup: | Cove Hummer | | Bottom Line: | Worked for me while i had one, it's light but that wasnt the purchase factor, just wanted to try one out, dont know if it dampened any trail buzz as I have a ti frame n sussy forks! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a Cross Country Rider
from Cairns Australia
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Smithfield loops | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | bicycle centre | | Strengths: | Light, takes a lot of trail buzz out and looks damm good | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | First carbon bar | | Bike Setup: | 2003 Giant XTC2 with full XT running gear, Easton ec70 flat bars, Easton EA70 seat post, max flite transam selle italia seat, dt swiss onyx hubs with dt swiss revolution spokes laced into mavic 517 rims, Avid sd5 brake levers, ss eggbeater pedals and a wipperman 904 chain | | Bottom Line: | Its my first carbon bar and I am very happy with its proformance, It takes a lot of trail buzz out and that is always a good thing. I was a bit worried about putting bar ends on though, but I have not had a problem with it as long as you don't tighten your bar ends up to tight you wont crush your bars. Bottom line buy them if you want a light handle bar that reduces trail buzz and looks good. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matthew
a Racer
from UK
Date Reviewed: December 6, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Evans | | Strengths: | Light, stiff, looks good and I've got bar ends on it. | | Weaknesses: | None yet. | | Similar Products Used: | First carbon bar. | | Bike Setup: | F3000sl, XTR, fatty Ultra, Clara discs etc. | | Bottom Line: | I'm impressed with the bar, it's my first carbon one and combined with tubeless tires it must remove alot of trail buzz. I would recomend it to anyone! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rick B
a Cross Country Rider
from Middle of New Jersey
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | One not far away | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Very light, great vibration damping quality | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Lots of aluminum and titanium over 14 years of riding | | Bike Setup: | Yeti ARC, XT, King | | Bottom Line: | I got this bar to replace a flexy EA70 (see my review). I was a little skeptical about carbon's longevity, but I decided to give it a try. I was careful installing the bar and used correct torque on each bolt. It holds strong and I haven't seen any stress risers yet. It feels nice on the trail, sucking up trail buzz. I'd recommend it as long as you are careful installing it. Like any high performance component, it needs to be used correctly. Treat it like you want it to treat you. Now go ride! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek Mattice
a Cross Country Rider
from Brighton, MI
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | American Cycle and Fitness | | Bottom Line: | Upgrade to a previous review. While changing grips I observed that one of the ends had cracked under the bar-end. Thanks Easton for REFUSING to offer an aluminum inset to reinforce the end. You must like warrantying the bars because you've got another set coming. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kanit Boonnam
a Weekend Warrior
from Bangkok, Thailand
Date Reviewed: May 15, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Anywhere | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | Charoen Bicycles | | Strengths: | - Very light but not the lightest one today
- The width and sweep angle are perfect (at least for me)
- Look cool
- More flexible than Aluminum but not too much | | Weaknesses: | - Price is quite high especially when compares with the Aluminum EA-70 that is a little heavier (approx. 25 g) but a lot cheaper in my country ($28) | | Similar Products Used: | Monkey Lite CT2, Raceface Riser | | Bike Setup: | FSR XC M4 '01, XTR Group, Crossmax UST, SID SL, Thompson post & stem, Time ATAC | | Bottom Line: | I just bought this bar to replace my Monkey Lite CT2 that does't fit my normal riding position because of its width and rise angle I guess. Anyway the Monkey Lite is a good bar.
If you are a person that prefer straight bar like me, you won't regret buying the EC-70. If you want something lighter go for the new EC-90 that weigh only 99 g. but don't forget to test the width which is 20 mm. shorter than the EC-70. I did try but the new EC-90 is too short for me. For the one that consider value I would like to suggest the Aluminum EA-70 instead. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jon
a Racer
from State College PA
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Scotia system | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | got new in trade! | | Strengths: | Light
pretty - carbon weave, subdued logos.
strong | | Weaknesses: | can be damaged with no visible signs
too light? | | Similar Products Used: | none-first carbon bar. I've used a bunch of light alloy bars, though. Hyperlites and Bontrager Racelites, mostly. | | Bike Setup: | steel hardtail, 8 speeds, 24 lbs. | | Bottom Line: | First off, I wouldn't have bought this for myself, but it was offered in trade, and I thought "Why not?"
First impression - it's light. I can't tell the difference from a Hyperlite, but it's definitely not going to hold me back.
I used this opportunity to upgrade my stem, too. 2002 Ritchey Pro, with a wide 4-bolt clamp, and pretty light, too.
I've ridden the setup 3 times now, and it's not magic, but it's light, stiff, and seems to smooth out a bit of chatter. I wish for a bit more bend - I like the 7-9 degrees Bontrager uses - but I'll live. I also dropped the barends, and haven't missed them. No problems with grips staying put, and no funny noises yet, though I've been watching the torque, and will check the bars every so often - I like my teeth where they are...
So, not a bad upgrade, if you have the cash, but no magic carpet, either. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Derek Mattice
a Cross Country Rider
from Brighton, MI
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Island Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | American Cycle | | Strengths: | Light | | Weaknesses: | none yet, but don't be fooled by the new EC90. That bar uses a new carbon lay-up process but the real weight savings comes from Easton reducing the bar to 22" width (pure trickery to advertise 25 gram weight savings over the old CT2). The EC70 is the true CT2 replacement. | | Similar Products Used: | CT2, Scott LFX, many aluminum bars | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale CAAD5 hardtail, SRAM 9.0SL, Hayes disc, Mavic Crossmax tubeless. | | Bottom Line: | Finally, a carbon bar that you can clamp bar-ends on. This is the fourth replacement bar (one cracked at the stem, two on the bar-ends) that I have received from Easton. It appears that they have beefed up the end thickness and added an extra layer of epoxy. I bolted my bar-ends on and no cracking, etc. that occurred with the CT2 (even with 1/2" brass couplings put in the ends). Light, and damps vibration well. I like the new graphics better too. I will put some time on them but already I am happy. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Rajewski
a Weekend Warrior
from Macomb Twp, MI
Date Reviewed: February 13, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Pontiac Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | FREE...Easton Rocks | | Strengths: | Light, dampens vibration, BEST warranty in the business, excellent customer support, plenty more too. | | Weaknesses: | Nada
| | Bike Setup: | C-dale SuperV, Race Face, XTR, Easton Carbon post and bar. | | Bottom Line: | See my review of the CT2 Easton bar which I broke by overtightening it in my stem. I sent it to Easton, they inspected it, determined it was ALL MY FAULT and sent me a new EC70 for free. No way to beat that deal!! When installing, Easton recommends putting a small piece of loose-leaf paper around the bar where it meets the stem. Be sure not to have any "double thickness" sections of paper. This will keep the bar from rotating in your stem WHICH can lead you to over tightening your stem and cracking the bar like I did. They've tried everything and claim that simple paper works the best. Pay the money and get the best. It's money well spent...... ONCE :) Thanks Easton. You have a lifelong customer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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