Submitted by
maxmvc
a Cross Country Rider
from Tahoe Date Reviewed: September 27, 2009
Favorite Trail:
Greenhorn trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Olympic Bike Shop
Strengths:
light, stiff, vibration dampening.
Weaknesses:
cracking finish
Similar Products Used:
Easton EA70 Monkeybar, Kona DH
Bike Setup:
2004 Specialized Stumpjumper FSR
Bottom Line:
This handlebar allows you to go on much longer rides because you are less physically tired. If you like to go on long mountain bike rides with out feeling beat-up at the end, get this bar. Vibration dampening cannot be overstated enough
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brad
a Weekend Warrior
from Toronto Date Reviewed: May 6, 2007
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
Bike show
Strengths:
Looks cool, Light, super stiff with little flex. Absorbs road shock very nicely
Weaknesses:
None so far
Bottom Line:
Not sure what the others are complaining about, with breaking and such. Bad batch I guess.
The fact is this, I weigh 225 lbs and this bar has been through hell and high tide the past 3 yrs with me on them, and still look as new as the day got them. Also I ride mostly XC, some down hill stuff.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James Rai
a Cross Country Rider
from Bristol/Peterborough U.K. Date Reviewed: February 10, 2007
Favorite Trail:
Brsitol-hey its round the corner
Duration Product Used:
Tested or demo'ed only
Price Paid:
$88.00
Purchased At:
Wiggle
Strengths:
Weight-I should I say the lack of it!
Afetersales by Easton is very good.
Light Xc use only.
Weaknesses:
Maybe it was me and most mountain bike magazines who managed to get hold of a dodgy bar-tons of stress fractures and finish was aweful.
I guess if you managed to get a good one then you'd obviously give this 5/5.
I think quality control and shops etc should check before sending out.
Also magazines have stated for lightness you have sacrifriced strength.
Stick to xc with these and you're fine.
Its up to you and what riding you do. Light xc and you won't look back and anything heavier-stay away which I guess what these are not for anyway!
Similar Products Used:
Race Face 'Next'xc 1" rise is on my shopping list today, it is 30g heavier but for that I get a quality finish and strength to go heavy xc/singletrack. It cheaper too.
Bike Setup:
Rebuilt 6061 U.S Gt Zaskar, xt/xtr and other bling bits.
Bottom Line:
Use these for light xc and you'll be and impressed.
Use it for anything else and it'll snap but you shouldn't be jumping with these.
For 30g more and cheaper I'd shop around if you ride hard.
Similar to Sid V's Reba arguement.
We'll see how the race face Next does...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
muzza
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas, Busharagua Date Reviewed: November 13, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Classified Means and Methods
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
girlie men in lycra road bike boutique
Strengths:
damping really truly works
Weaknesses:
price on these things keeps going north, or so Nigel at the boutique fibbed to me. He has a certain disdain for the intelligence of straight people.
Similar Products Used:
factory alums
Bike Setup:
06 Santa Cruz Superlight D, mostly stock. Threw a Thudbuster on it two weeks ago, just to experiment. Can't convince myself to take it off yet. I'm sure I'll see the stupidity of this idea, someday.Maybe.
Bottom Line:
Could it be most of the people who broke their Monkey Lites also sawed off an inch on each end? Reason to buy these bars is flex. Cut an inch off each end, and you stiffen up what's left. Size matters.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Billy Livesay
a Cross Country Rider
from Laguna Beach Date Reviewed: September 29, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Laguna
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$90.00
Purchased At:
local shop
Strengths:
Nice and Light. Should be used stricly for touring and no aggressive uses.
Weaknesses:
Snapped after 4 months of riding pulling a wheelie to go UP a rock?!?! I weigh 165 lb's so it wasn't as if there was excess stress on those babies.
Similar Products Used:
salsa bars
Bike Setup:
5spot, talas, wtb wheels, sram/xtr
Bottom Line:
I was happy that it didn't happen going down something! After reading another guy's review of snapping a couple sets of monkey lites, I'm bummed hearing about the customer service Easton provides on its warranty. Looks like aluminum is up next...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Matt Sullivan
a Cross Country Rider
from Oskaloosa, Ks USA Date Reviewed: September 15, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Perry Lake Trail
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Beyond Bikes
Strengths:
Looks PIMP, nice feel
Weaknesses:
?
Similar Products Used:
stock junk
Bike Setup:
Ironhorse, Fox Vanilla fork, lots o extra's .. .. savin up for a Heckler
Bottom Line:
I was kinda upset at first, I wanted the race face bars but they were outa stock so I decided to go with the Eastons .. now that I've been riding with them I'm very pleased ... they look good ... feel good ... must be good
Probably the lightest mountain bike handlebar available.
Weaknesses:
The product itself seems rather well built, until you use it as intended for a while... This bar is constructed for light XC only, and WILL FAIL at when stressed. I've had two of them, and both have suffered sudden deaths which fortunately haven't caused me any major injury. I guess I ride on the "All Moutain" side of MTBing which means I do some aggressive riding every other time. Yet I haven't had any major falls or accidents. The bars have fallen apart from regular use, in both cases around the 6-month-old mark. And don't even think of redeeming that "lifetime warranty" offered by Easton. You'll first have to find a soul to get back to you, after getting the run-around from Easton. This jerky will ask you for pictures which he'll "evaluate" for a couple of weeks, and later use them to dismiss your claim by telling you that it's all somehow you fault. Too much tightening of the handlebar, or the brake levers, or shifters, or some other thing, which of course, was not the case, as I saw my mechanic use a torque-limited key when tightening the parts to the handlebar. Listen, I understand perfectly that MTBing is a sport that's hard on the equipent, but I take the manufacturers at their word. When they say "lifetime warranty" it should mean exactly that, and their customer service should be handled as if they really want your business, not as if they already made their profit... Which means that their o-called warranty is a marketing ploy, rather than a serious offer. Compare that to Cane Creek who takes care of their customers. I guess I won't be riding on a third bar from Easton.
Similar Products Used:
Many other models from Titec, Answer, Race Face, Azonic, etc.
Bike Setup:
2005 Ellsworth Moment, Fox Talas, Cane Creek Zonos wheels, XTR transmission and components...
Bottom Line:
If you love your teeth, and care for your crotch get a titanium or an aluminum handlebar that won't achieve sudden catastrophic failure.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Adam
a Racer
from North Tustin, CA Date Reviewed: December 6, 2005
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
Strong, lite, comfortable, good looking
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
first carbon bars
Bike Setup:
Santa Cruz Blur
Bottom Line:
These work great, at first I was hesitant to get carbon bars afraid they would break. Well I weigh 205 pounds and they haven't broke yet. I have put them through some good punishment, too. I thought they were a little to wide when I put them on too, but cut off about an inch off both ends. I wouldn't hesitate on buying these.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chaz
a Cross Country Rider
from Toronto, Ontario, Canada Date Reviewed: August 13, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Hardwood Hills
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Kamikaze Collingwood
Strengths:
Light weight, looks cool, dampens vibrations
Weaknesses:
Bar is coated by a plastic 'skin' that wears off whenever grips/stems are changed, or a crash. Looks like a bad case of peeling skin after a sunburn. Decals have almost worn off.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager, Answer Hyperlite
Bike Setup:
'04 Specialized Stumpjumper stock except for: Monkey Lite XC bars, EC70 carbon post, XT cassette, Race Face Deus cranks, Mavic Cross Max XL wheels. 25.6 lbs.
Bottom Line:
A great bar for the price. No qualms about durability. The bar in stock form is MUCH too wide for XC riding. I took an inch off both ends of the bar and now it's perfect. The bike steers and climbs better, and I don't have to worry about the front tire wandering all over the place. Other than the cheap cosmetics, this thing is great.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
SGT. ROCK
a Racer
from Grande Cache, AB Date Reviewed: June 20, 2005
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$40.00
Purchased At:
Nashbar
Strengths:
Lightweight Supple Well finished
Weaknesses:
Not enough rise Too wide
Bike Setup:
Ventana Pantera, Marzocchi Marathon S 120mm
Bottom Line:
As a climbing junkie, all my XC bikes have flat bars & bar ends. My freeride bike has a big, fat Funn riser on it, and it definitely helps screaming down the steeps. I wanted to try a riser on my Ventana trail bike to see if it would help the same way, without killing my climbing position.
Well, everything is a trade off. The Easton is a beautiful bar, and it actually saves a noticeable amount of weigh over the flat bar/ends set up. Downhill control was improved, but not as much as I'd hoped because of the low (3/4 inch) rise. Climbing performance was reduced, as expected. The carbon fiber dampens a lot of the shock on rough trails compared to the old bar, a very good reason to pay the extra money over the aluminum version (for XC use, anyway). At 26" wide, this bar is about an inch too wide for XC, but I wasn't going to take a chance cutting a measly half-inch off each side, either.
Conclusion? If you're converting from flat to riser, don't compromise - commit and get a bar with at least 1" of rise to take full advantage of the benefits. You won't save your climbing geometry by going to a low rise. Unless it's for DH/freeride, seriously consider carbon firber. At the price I paid for this bar from Nashbar, I have no basis for complaint.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fred
a Weekend Warrior
from Cumming, Ga Date Reviewed: June 7, 2005
these bars are super strong!!! I twisted a race face system yes twisted aprox 12 to 15 deg. the bars cracked at the stem interface but they did not break. oh did I fail to mention that I weigh 270# .these bars are strong. Buy them You wont be sorry. the bars are being returned to easton for replacement.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
cory
a
from Phoenix, AZ, US Date Reviewed: May 8, 2005
Favorite Trail:
National
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Super stif, super strong, looks really nice
Weaknesses:
price, but i got mine free when i built up my bike
Bike Setup:
Heckler, 5th air, vanilla 125, xtr stuff
Bottom Line:
Buy this if you want all around performance. i do dj's, freeride, dh, xc, and urban all on these bars and they absolutely ROCK.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Local Guy
a Cross Country Rider
from Oakland Date Reviewed: April 19, 2005
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$120.00
Purchased At:
Summit Bikes (Berkeley)
Strengths:
looks sexy and is lightweight
Weaknesses:
that's just it: the weakness of the product is this product's biggest weakness. mine broke within 3 months. easton rep completely dissed me and I'll never buy an easton product again.
I broke a pair of monkey lites within 3 months of installation. Luckily they broke at the bottom of a rocky section of trail right where it flattens out, and incredibly I did not crash and I still have all my teeth. The bar snapped right where the left (front) brake lever was clamped on. I read and followed the instructions that came with the bar when I installed them- even went out and bought a nice craftsman torque wrench for the job. What the instructions do not tell you though is that if you happen to be using shimano levers (mine are XTR pods) then you need to use a dremmel to file down the lips on both sides of the inside of the clamp. If you look closely, you can see that the inside of these clamps are not perfectly parallel to the bar they are supposed to clamp onto- instead they are somewhat concave, so only the edges of the clamp actually touch the bar. not a good thing with carbon, because it focuses the riding stresses on a very small surface area of the bar. over time (again, less than 3 months), it actually scored the bar at the right and left sides of the clamp, and this eventually led to catastrophic failure of the bar.
OK, so the bars broke- no biggie since I didn't get hurt, but it did suck having to ride 10 miles back to the car with only half a bar. Next day I went back to Summit Bikes with the bars, to see about getting them warrantied. The guys at the shop were cool about it and gave me a set of loaner bars. they said they had seen the exact same problem before and so they always file down the edges on shimano clamps. they also said they expected that Easton would take care of it and would be able to set me up with a new set of (non-carbon) bars. A few weeks went by and I finally got a call back from the shop manager, saying that the Easton rep had gotten back to him, and was not going to warranty the bars because they had been "installed incorrectly". I wanted to speak to the rep about it directly, so I got his number and called him up. The guy was actually rude to me on the phone and wasn't willing to so much as give me a discount on another set of bars.
So the bottom line is that I will never buy an Easton product again, and I hope you won't either. The easton rep had an opportunity to keep a customer and he blew it. I recently bought a new blur, which comes spec'ed with a lot of easton stuff, including monkey lites. I had the shop I bought it from replace all the easton stuff when they built it up. I got titec hellbents instead of the monkey lites, and thomson stem and seatpost replaced the stock easton stuff.
After reading some of these reviews, it seems that broken bars are a recurring theme when it comes to monkey lites. It sounds like some of the reviewers were badly injured when their bars failed. Luckily I was not hurt, but I was spooked enough to stay away from carbon in the cockpit. Id be interested to hear some more stories about people's experiences with easton support and sales reps.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
wayne sherman
a Cross Country Rider
from all ove rthe world Date Reviewed: March 27, 2005
Favorite Trail:
anything pisgah
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$20.00
Purchased At:
bought 2nd hand from non-riding buddy
Strengths:
Light, Strong, Great dimensions - comfortable and wide.
Weaknesses:
Price - unless you can find a deal like I did! Need to take special care not to gouge or crack them when installing/removing/adjusting.
Similar Products Used:
Easton and lots of other alloy risers, lots of flat bars.
Bike Setup:
Loaded DS XC/FR
Bottom Line:
I love these bars! They are super light, and the dimensions are awesome. This is important to me because I use gripshifts with full-length grips. That way you can hold the grips only when really pulling on the bars or jumping/dropping and you don't have to worry about accidental shifting. A lot of others have complained about cracking, which makes me believe I either got a bar from a good batch or all the people with cracks are over tightening them. I have hit some decent drops, and really put these bars to the test on some good crashes, and they are holding STRONG. It might help that I use a 4-bolt stem faceplate.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Peter
a
from Houston, TX Date Reviewed: February 19, 2005
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Strengths:
Light, strong
Weaknesses:
N/A
Similar Products Used:
Aluminum
Bike Setup:
Bullit
Bottom Line:
Been pounding these things (200lbs) for over three years. No signs of fatigue.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fred
a Cross Country Rider
from Cumming, Ga Date Reviewed: December 17, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Bear Creek
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$110.00
Strengths:
Light weight Vibration damping LOOKS GOOD!!
Weaknesses:
None
Similar Products Used:
Race face air alloy
Bike Setup:
98 K2 5000 LT 2000 Z1cr King head set Raceface cranks & rings Xt disc hubs 317 rims WTB Mutano raptor 2.4 Stans no tubes.
Bottom Line:
I have been riding these bars since july of 2000. I weigh 240# so any one saying if you weigh over 200# dont buy these, look at your installation procedure. I ride agressive xc (Bear creek is 8 miles up and 8 miles down of rocky, rooty, water bar infested fun). I may not be the hardest on my EQ. I do maintain my EQ. very well. SO if your hand keeps getting numb, you want to drop some weight off your bike. GET THESE follow the installation instructions AND ENJOY!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Price
a Weekend Warrior
from Bridgewater Date Reviewed: October 25, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Riverport
Duration Product Used:
More than 3 years
Price Paid:
$110.00
Purchased At:
Bike Barn
Strengths:
Very comfortble, extreamlly light and amazing ride quality. Looks great and everyone that sees it wants it.
Weaknesses:
None, I heard lots about them breaking but not in my case.
Similar Products Used:
Flat alloy bar about 5 years ago, Funn Fatboy Slim on DJ bike.
Bike Setup:
Klein Attitude, Manitou Mars Elite, Thomson Elite Post, Easton stem, Sram 9.0
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is there is nothing better. I have been riding this bar for 5 steady years, atleast 8 hours a week. Thats 2080 hours of riding, lots of pounding, probly 50 races or more, drops, street riding and downhill riding before I got my DJ bike. I have never had a problem. I don't know what company stems others were useing but I have always used easton, maybe thats why mine hasn't broke. I hear that they are made percisly, and they garrenty no bar slippage when you have there bar and stem combo. Very comfortble, extreamlly light and amazing ride quality.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
matt
a Cross Country Rider
from burbank Date Reviewed: December 14, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$109.00
Strengths:
light weight, good feel.
Weaknesses:
a little flexy, cracks.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
racer x, ck, xt, fox, etc.
Bottom Line:
This bar rode great until I started noticing little white lines around the stem clamp. Then I found a nice crack at the rise bend. Not good. I took extreme care during installation of this bar due to horror stories posted here, no scratches or burrs and careful torqueing(with a calibrated torque wrench) and six months later, crack. Fortunately it did not split in two. That was good. Now I know as a bigger rider I should not have been on a bar this light but I felt it was worth a try. Now I get to see how good Easton product support is... I did get six months of riding out of it. My opinion is, if you are 200+, ride aluminum.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Daniel
a
from Fairfax VA USA Date Reviewed: September 28, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Strengths:
Looks,light as hell, took bumps well!! ( Note i said took!!!)
Weaknesses:
They cracked in half during a down hill section of a XC trail which allowed me to become one with my litespeed. I planted my face into a section of roots which tore my Sh!t up. And as for you people who respond saying these are not for downhill riding " I WAS ON A XC TRAIL NOT A DOWNHILL COARSE " they should hold up. I weigh 175lbs and riding a hardtail.
Similar Products Used:
Bontrager, EC70
Bottom Line:
Maybe i am a little aggressive but i was on a hardtail so i wasnt riding all that hard. I will stick to my Crowbars from now on. My legs say save the weight but by broken lip loves the extra strengh. To each his/her own, wear a face mask if you choose to ride down the hills instead of walking.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Chris Stott
a Weekend Warrior
from Surrey, England Date Reviewed: July 30, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$140.00
Strengths:
Light, stiff, look pimpy, nice sweep, width
Weaknesses:
Only suitable for XC duties - not really a weakness but needs calling out, 0.75" rise is too low, expensive!
Similar Products Used:
Various alloy risers (Raceface, Azonic, Easton)
Bike Setup:
Orange Sub 5, Fox supension, XTR transmission, RF finishing kit
Bottom Line:
I was initialy very happy with these bars. They are light and stiff, and they do seem to help cut out trail buzz. They also seemed strong.... strong enough to survive some serious downhilling in the Alps, at least for the first 4 days anyway. On the 5th day they gave up the ghost, snapping on landing a 4' drop to a smooth grass transition (that I had completed 5 or 6 times already). It was a sudden, critical failure, resulting in me face planting (fortunately I had a full face lid on at the time and was not injured), and having to ride best part of 10km to the nearest bike shop with one bar.
The failure was not on the clamping area, and the bars appear to have delaminated from the inside... they will be going back to Easton.
I still feel able to recommend them for regular XC duties, but anyone looking to do a bit of occassional freeriding should definitely look elsewhere. The consequences of them breaking on some of the super steep rocky/rooty trails I rode in the Alps doesn't bear thinking about. I've switched to a Raceface alloy riser now.
Overall rating reflects using them for the conditions they were designed for!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Mark Leistritz
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, Tx Date Reviewed: June 1, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Rocky Hill, City Park, Flat Rock
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$75.00
Purchased At:
Sun and Ski
Strengths:
Light, good looks, durable
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
Ti, aluminum
Bike Setup:
Specialized M5 S works,Full XTR, Crossmax XL, Thompson, Chris King
Bottom Line:
Heres the scoop. This bar is meant to be an XC bar..... Thats my opinion. This bar is not meant to be a down hill bar or freestyle bar. I believe it is strong enough but you are taking your chances. This is the best bar I've ever owned. The carbon fiber really takes up the vibrations and is a comfort to ride. The flex is a bit wierd to get used to but all in all, it is a great bar. I don't think I would go back to anything else.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric Emel
a Cross Country Rider
from Bristol, UK Date Reviewed: August 26, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Bike Bristol
Strengths:
Great trail absorbsion, ultra light weight, looks damn good
Weaknesses:
a little flexy, but it is worth it for the absorbsion
Similar Products Used:
Profile carbon, azonic DH, Club roosts
Bike Setup:
Kona Unit single speed rigid.....
Bottom Line:
Great on a rigid bike, though if I were to go suspension I would change then I think, remembering I ride single speed and put alot of strain on bars when climbing.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
John
a Weekend Warrior
from Chicago Date Reviewed: June 7, 2002
Ellsworth Joker (a free-ride bike with a carbon bar?!?!?!) Yup!
Bottom Line:
As long as you read the instructions and DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN the clamps, your bar will NOT fail. Moutain Bike Action did the same thing to a carbon seatpost they tested and it broke. These are precision components (hence the price) and require proper installation.
Once properly installed, they will last forever. I have been riding mine for two years on a Joker, going off 5-6 ft. drops. My bar is immaculate. An interview with an Easton tech stated that the tested forces required to break the bars would break your arm bones first. That's a strong statement- Easton will stand behind their product.
Another strength about this bar is the shape. It is the perfect sweep and rise. Like a fine automobile steering system, it gives excellent feedback from the trail. I'm more nimble with this bar than the aluminum bar.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Evan Lau
a Weekend Warrior
from Mountain View Date Reviewed: May 29, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Flume trail, Tahoe
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$109.00
Purchased At:
Dreamride, Utah
Strengths:
Very light weight, raied position (vs flat bars)
Weaknesses:
None I can think of
Similar Products Used:
Controltech (flatbar), Answer (flatbar), Kona (flatbar)
I bought this lightweight riser bar from recommendation of Dreamride's owner, while vacationing in Moab. My 3 yr old flatbar was overdue for an upgrade anyway. This handlebar dampens small bumps and even the large ones feel less jarring on my joints. I'd recommend it for X-country. I've taken a few spills on the bike, but no whatsoever damage to the handlebar. The Thomson stem handlebar clamp seems to fit this handlebar perfectly.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gus Miron
a Weekend Warrior
from NJ Date Reviewed: May 28, 2002
A year ago I would have never bought this expensive product for my bike. But as I started to night ride the battery added about 2 pounds in weight. And I noticed it! This combined with some other well though out mods will drop about 3 pounds off your bike. This is well worth it!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brian Nicholson
a Cross Country Rider
from Friendsville, TN Date Reviewed: April 22, 2002
I have now broken 2 of these bars and am riding on a third. Easton will replace them for $40. I love everything about the bar except its durability. If you ride easy trails and never crash I’m sure it would be fine but then I wouldn’t be having as much fun. I don’t think I will ever buy a carbon bar again
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dirk Diggler
a Weekend Warrior
from Tumon, Guam Date Reviewed: April 10, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Anything with Dirt
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$109.00
Purchased At:
SpeedGoat
Strengths:
Lightweight, durability and the pimpin' good looks (like Shakira). The envy of other riders. Surprisingly stiff for a carbon bar. Absorbs the shocks, provides better control on the nasty technical section of the trails.
Weaknesses:
The envy of other riders, always asking if it's for sale. Easton just introduced a lighter version of the bar, so now I have to get the lighter new model.
Similar Products Used:
Race Face XC riser, Titec HellBent, Club Roost, LP low rise. All heavy compared to the Easton.
Bike Setup:
Shimano LX/XT stuff, and yeah it's a mountaing bike.
Bottom Line:
It's been over a year now since I had this handle bar and so far it's been reliable. Like a Chris King headset, you don't even know it's there until another rider will ask me if it's for sale. With the new, lighter version, I might just sell it but why bother it's so reliable. I purchased this bar with a Race Face XYZ stem thinking the bar will be flexy and could use a stiff stem, but this bar is just as stiff as an Alloy bar. The rise and length is just perfect for my riding (cross country).
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Scott
a Weekend Warrior
from Harker Heights, TX Date Reviewed: April 4, 2002
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
123bike.com
Strengths:
Very light, durable to a point. Easton quality.
Weaknesses:
Mine broke. Not for everyone.
Similar Products Used:
Answer, Kore, Coda
Bike Setup:
Ellsworth Isis with all the goodies.
Bottom Line:
My bike came to me assembled, without the Easton paperwork. Please read the manufacture's instructions before installing brakes and shifters. I can only assume that the levers or shifters were overtorqued, and that led to the catastrophic material failure I had, which led to a broken bone and a concussion. Easton customer service is great. Their going to inspect the bar and hopefully replace it. I wont get a carbon bar again. If your hard on you bike I would not recommend this bar. I baby my bike and look what happened.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
H20RNE
a Cross Country Rider
from CHATT. Tn. Date Reviewed: February 4, 2002
Favorite Trail:
razor back
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$89.00
Purchased At:
cant remember
Strengths:
light strong reliable.
Weaknesses:
none
Bike Setup:
santa cruz heckler, xt and xtr with hayes hyd. disk brakes king disko tech wheels thompson stem and seat post.
Bottom Line:
great set of bars. building new bike and I will eather buy new monkey lites or reuse my old ones. Oh yea the old ones have over 1000 miles of trouble free riding on thim. If dependability is what your after buy them put them on and ride...
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel Arseneault
a Weekend Warrior
from Miramichi NB Canada Date Reviewed: January 14, 2002
Favorite Trail:
It's all good!
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
Incline Soports. Chcek them out.
Strengths:
Looks stiff,light,comfortable and extreemly cool. It is stiff,light,comfortable and extreemly cool. It's Easton and the decal says so.
Weaknesses:
I have a way to many people wantin to be my friend now.Can't keep the girls away.I know they just want the monkey. Seriously there's nothing bad about it.
Similar Products Used:
Kore Free Ride
Bottom Line:
People told me this bar was the only bar.I don't belive everything I hear.I bought it cause it looks cool and cause it is a Easton composite bar.Now I would buy one if it was butt ugly.It's all true. A bar is a bar right.Wrong!You'll just have to get one to find out. As for people complaining about over tightening clamps and breakin this thing,.The "over" in "over thghten" means too much.Here is a tip for those of you who have broken ANY bar from over tightening.When your hand starts to bleed that's enough. I've heard this bar is not for DH.I ride hard and have droped my Monkey a few times to say the least.It's like new.You should get some good plugs though.It would be a pity to drop your bike and fill the bar with dirt or mark up the ends. If you get one high end part get this!don't get it if you don't like stiff,light,comfortable and cool.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Leo Redcliffe
a Weekend Warrior
from England Date Reviewed: January 2, 2002
Favorite Trail:
not sure....
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$140.00
Purchased At:
Freewheel, Reading, UK
Strengths:
Cool looks and decals. Stiffer than my previous Al flat bar. Light as a feather (i was so surprised when I first picked it up!!!). Really comfortable -shock absorbing.
Weaknesses:
Well, here in Rip of Britain we have to pay through the nose for everything. So, my only grumble is cost.... Durability? Well as long as you don't do mad jumping, weigh more than 200lb, then it should last for ages.
Riser control and comfort at flat bar weight. What more do you want?
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Eric P.
a Cross Country Rider
from Fort Dodge, IA Date Reviewed: October 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Snodgrass
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
E-bay
Strengths:
Carbon
Weaknesses:
Where?
Similar Products Used:
CT2
Bike Setup:
Doesn't really matter does it?
Bottom Line:
Beautiful bar, why did I wait? Nice sweep, good rise, light, light, light. I've heard people saying how nice these were for some time now. Finally I got a set. Wow. what a work of engineering. I'll never go back to a metal or a flat bar.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
James
a Weekend Warrior
from hyattsville md usa Date Reviewed: July 24, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$110.00
Purchased At:
sun ski sports
Strengths:
It is a light handle bar, solid feel to it.
Weaknesses:
Since I am a hockey player as well as a bike rider I have played with nothing but carbon fiber hockey sticks mainly useing easton shafts. From experience what will happen is once you get a dink or a knick in it that it has a greater chance of it breaking cause it is a weak spot in the carbon fiber. Scoring the carbon won't hurt it's strenth or durability, I would be more afraid if I see a knick or a discoloration of the carbon.
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Kona roast
Bottom Line:
If you like light stuff and doesn't flex, then you got your bar. If you are hard on your bike then I would not reconmend this handle bar for you. For the simple fact that if you want your bike real light then these bars are for you. If you want durability these are not the bars for you. I like mine and would not trade them at all.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Lis
a Cross Country Rider
from San Francisco. CA Date Reviewed: July 24, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Tamarancho
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$110.00
Purchased At:
speedgoat cycles -- Beth & Chris =rock=.
Strengths:
Lightness, and I liked the ride.
Weaknesses:
Durability -- 3 months after purchase, I have to buy a new handlebar b/c my stem-plate "scored" the carbon. I don't trust the resulting strength enough to ride it on the rocky technical stuff I crave now.
Similar Products Used:
Azonic, titec
Bike Setup:
Full XTR on Ellsworth Truth SE w/ Zokie Z1
Bottom Line:
Wouldn't buy it again. I had my doubts, but thought that the weight was worth it. Didn't realize it would be worthless in 3 months. CHECK UNDER YOUR STEM PLATE and file it smooth if you go MonkeyLite.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Wayne Johns
a Cross Country Rider
from Dallas, TX Date Reviewed: July 14, 2001
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
SuperGo
Strengths:
the right weight, rise & length.
Weaknesses:
strength of the bar
Bike Setup:
Trek STP 400 Full XTR,
Bottom Line:
I thought I had found the perfect bar, the right weight, rise & length. After about 2 months I was riding a flat trail and endoed over a med. sized log and when I retrieved my bike the bar had broken in two as if it had been cut with a hack saw. I have a carbon fiber Trek STP 400 and I have never had any problems with the frame cracking. I thought that carbon was the strongest and lightest material out there. What happened? My LBS was no help saying that they now know that too firm of a fit at the shifter pod can compromise the strength of the bar. There were no instructions informing me of that when I installed them. I don’t like being a beta tester for bike parts.
Who should buy this bar: anyone willing to take a chance with there life, Humm… that could be all MTB’rs With the exception that they broke in half I enjoyed them while the lasted. Weather of not I replace them depends on the support I recive from my LBS and or Easton. Wish me luck.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Damon
a Cross Country Rider
from Sylmar, CA Date Reviewed: June 22, 2001
Favorite Trail:
MonkeySwing
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
H&S Bicycles (Burbank, CA)
Strengths:
LIGHT LIGHT LIGHT AS HELL!! Tight as hell Response, Made the bike feel totally different. I love them. Carbon Fiber (big plus)
Weaknesses:
None yet.
Similar Products Used:
Hellbent
Bike Setup:
2001 Schwinn Homegrown Factory, Race Face Next cranks.
Bottom Line:
Go out and buy one.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
JD
a Racer
from Austin TX Date Reviewed: June 12, 2001
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$109.00
Purchased At:
Bicycles Sport Shop
Strengths:
Weight, function
Weaknesses:
Uhhh
Similar Products Used:
Hyperlites Ritchy Pros and WCS, Titec 118
Bike Setup:
Ibis Mojo full XTR.
Bottom Line:
I needed new bars and all the guys I race with had converted so I figured I'd try it out. The biggest difference it the amount of control in anything technical. Even my climbing in technical stuff is much improved. You aren't as beat up at the end of the day.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Brent
a Cross Country Rider
from Tucson, Arizona Date Reviewed: June 8, 2001
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Purchased At:
Colorado Cyclist catalog
Strengths:
The lightest riser bar by far, incredibly strong, very cool looking (did I mention how light it is?)
Weaknesses:
Absolutely none
Similar Products Used:
Titec Hellbent, ritchey flat bar
Bike Setup:
Specialized FSR Comp w/ Time ATAC Pedals, SRAM 9.0 SL, Easton Monkey Lite bar, Kore Elite stem, Manitou Carbon SX.
Bottom Line:
This bar (I have the lo-rise version) is one of the few mountain-biking components or accessories I've seen that approaches perfection: although incredibly light, it's also incredibly strong, it's very sharp-looking, and it's not overpriced. Before this bar came along, riders who preferred riser bars had to pay a weight penalty, but no more. Oh, and despite many crashes over the last couple of years, it still looks brand new. I wish everything else on my bike was this well-designed and well-made.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Robert
a Cross Country Rider
from San Rafael, CA Date Reviewed: April 26, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Mt. Tam - China Camp
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Mikes Bikes
Strengths:
Extremely light Durable
Weaknesses:
none yet
Similar Products Used:
stock handle bars
Bike Setup:
Specialized Sump Jumper Pro - all stock except for Bars and WTB tires
Bottom Line:
This bar is sweet. Not only is it light and durable, it eats most of the trail vibration. It is comfortable on long climbs as well. This is the bar to get until they come up with something better.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
DR. DRE
a Weekend Warrior
from BOOGIE-DOWN PRODUCTIONZ Date Reviewed: April 13, 2001
Favorite Trail:
VANNY & GRAHAM HILLZ
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
SID'Z BIKE N.Y.C.
Strengths:
MADD LIGHT, EXTREMELY STRONG, BELEIVE ME!
Weaknesses:
NONE YET!
Similar Products Used:
AZONIC, BONTRAGER, CLUB ROOST.
Bike Setup:
FREERIDE BABY!!!!!!!!
Bottom Line:
I CRASHED ON CONCRETE WITHEZE BARZ SLAMMIN ONTO THE PAVEMENT FIRST AND THERE STILL ROCKIN!!! NICE ADDITION TO A XC BIKE OR A ALREADY HEAVY FREERIDE OR DOWNHILL BIKE TO HELP MAKE THEM LIGHTER. MOUNTAIN BIKE ACTION RAN AN ARTICLE ON THE STRESS TESTS THEY PUT THEZE BARZ THROUGH AND IT'Z UNBELEIVABLE. AND WITH THEIR NO QUESTIONS ASKED GUARANTEE IF U BRAKE THEM U CAN'T GO WRONG!!!! (THAT'S A MIGHTY BIG IF)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Siri T
a Weekend Warrior
from Boogie Down Bronx, NY Date Reviewed: April 11, 2001
Favorite Trail:
Vanny and Palisade
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Trend Bike Shop, Dykmna NYC
Strengths:
Light as feathers strong as M1 tank.
Weaknesses:
Price is slightly high from such a big company that as the Tech to produce such material.
Bike Setup:
STOCK P3, monkey lite bars and MG60 stem.
Bottom Line:
These bars are are great. light and strong. I have landed hard with my full weight on them a couple of time and no sign of tweaking. And I weight 190 lbs. I got a great deal for them 230 out the door for the bar and the MG60 stem. But the price of the bar is still a little high from such a big company is my only gripe, the money was burning a hole in my pockets to buy something any way.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Dirt Sled
a Weekend Warrior
from Brisbane, Australia Date Reviewed: November 29, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Gap Creek Reserve (Mt. Cootha Forest)
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Purchased At:
L.B.S.
Strengths:
Feel of Steel, Weight of Alu.. Rise & sweep are juuuust right.. STRONG! Nice Dampening.. Look Kewl.. :D
Weaknesses:
Price..
Similar Products Used:
Azonic, Kore
Bike Setup:
Avanti Competitor
Bottom Line:
Not much to say really.. They do everything that they should.. and nothing they shouldn't.., they're comfy.., They're VERY light, strong and give me the impression that I will be able to use them for many years to come..
What more could you want from a piece of metal tubing?!?
GOOD BARS
(only drawback is the $$$$..)
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Johnny Guentner
a Racer
from Felton, De Date Reviewed: November 10, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Fairhill, md
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$109.00
Purchased At:
Bike line
Strengths:
Its strength,no pun intended, and shape gives you the width of high rise but only half the hight. Light as snot. great feel. Looks hot.
Weaknesses:
none really worth every penny.
Similar Products Used:
there are none similar
Bike Setup:
trek 8900 tricked out
Bottom Line:
When I first bought this bar I was kind of reluctant to trust it considering how light it was. Plus I was afraid to put bar ends on it. But the more I rode it the fear subsided and the love took its place. Found out that the ends are reinforced for bar ends and boy are they I have smacked many trees, and the ground at high speed, and not one problem. I have the bar on my single speed now and it is awsome. I recommend this bar for anybody who wants light weight without the sacrafice of strenght I don't know if it is downhill worthy but it sure is worthy of anything else.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Paul
a
from Nashville, TN USA Date Reviewed: November 1, 2000
Favorite Trail:
Hamilton Creek, Nashville,TN
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
supergo
Strengths:
high strength, awesome warranty, ludicrously low weight, vibration dampening (I think), cool factor, confidence in the Easton name
Weaknesses:
price and my Tomac stubby barends wouldn't hold onto them
I was riding a friend's XCR 2000 with a SID 100 and OEM bar, and came up with the conclusion that either my bomber handles small bumps a whole lot better than his sid (which it IS supposed to), or this handlebar made a huge difference. I'd recommend the bar. It's solid, light, looks great, has an awesome warranty and you'll never see one on a cheap bike. Mondo pimp factor.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Andrew T
a Racer
from Morr, NJ Date Reviewed: November 26, 1999
Favorite Trail:
chimney rock
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
light as hell, pretty, great dampening!!
Weaknesses:
uuuuuuh...
Similar Products Used:
just a kore lite bar
Bike Setup:
ibis, supa-fly marzoki..avid, rf, ck..etc
Bottom Line:
this is an excellent product. For the first time my hands were not in pain after a very bumpy 2 hour ride. My cornering was also greatly improved. I can't recommend this more!
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Spaceboy
a Cross-Country Rider
from Victoria, BC Date Reviewed: July 19, 1999
Favorite Trail:
the dump
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
Very light, almost a pound lighter than my old bar. Apparently it is super strong, and the warranty is so good that I don't much care. Looks really cool.
Weaknesses:
More flex than otherbars I have tried, but the Man calls it dampening
Similar Products Used:
Answer Hyperlite
Bike Setup:
Custom Moulden 853, Bomber Z2, Race Face stem, Syncros headset, bar with low rise and 24 inch width
Bottom Line:
Great bar, light and comes in width option; bit flexy (very slight, but there).
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
justin
a Racer
from utah Date Reviewed: March 19, 1999
Favorite Trail:
gooseberry mesa
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
stiff, very light, 24 width is just right and the low rise is very cool
Weaknesses:
none...yet.
Similar Products Used:
white bros. 1 riser bar. it was too damn heavy though. the easton is less thatn half the weight.
Bike Setup:
98' litespeed ocoee 99' SID SL
Bottom Line:
the bar rocks. steep hills require more weight on the front but the width makes breathing easy. i recommend it plus it has a super warranty.
Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Phillip
a Cross-Country Rider
from San Marcos Date Reviewed: March 18, 1999
Favorite Trail:
700acre's San Antonio
Duration Product Used:
less than 1 month
Strengths:
wide stance improves climbing
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
none
Bike Setup:
Yeti ARC/99sid/XTR
Bottom Line:
This riser-bar is the SHIZNIT! Dominate the trail like never before!
Overall Rating:
What's New
»
BEST OF MTBR - Check out the highest rated bikes, parts, & gear!
»
LED BIKE LIGHT SHOOTOUT 3 - We test all the newest products and latest light and battery technology in this comprehensive guide»
$ 109.99
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
Overall Rating:
