Meet Mary... Our classic alt-bar. We like to think of it as an extreme sweep riser bar. It's a bit odd, but makes a lot of sense once you give it a go.
Submitted by
rockcrusher
a Weekend Warrior
from Tucson, AZ, USA
Date Reviewed: May 13, 2011
Strengths: This is my rigid bike enabler. With out these bars I have pain in my hands, calluses and the like. With them I can ride for hours and hours on rocky technical terrain without a worry, pain or calluses building.
Weaknesses: They are weird looking and there is barely enough room for a full size lock on grip, brake and shifter.
Bottom Line:
If you find that you have hand pain I suggest going right to these and bypassing the mid range bend bars (fleegle, salsa etc). They will take some getting used to but I use them on everything, including very technical rocky descents and ascents.
They in no way hinder my ability to descend technically or ascend technically.
If i had a full suspension bike I would use these or ragley carnegies in a heart beat. They just really work for me and my hands.
Submitted by
UberClyde
a Cross Country Rider
from Silver Spring, MD
Date Reviewed: October 14, 2010
Strengths: Comfort, leverage, finish
Weaknesses: Perhaps 3-5 degrees more sweep than ideal, at least for me
Bottom Line:
I originally bought these for a commuter, and then decided to try them on a 29er project build. They have been there ever since. I have raced this setup three times, and put many many hours on these bars. I can never use straight bars again. Ideally, a tiny bit less sweep would be perfect for me, but I have no hand numbness or wrist soreness even after 4 hours. More telling, I don't get the pumped up forearm problem on long technical downhill sections. The only problem with the version I purchased is that there is basically no section of this bar that is perpendicular to the direction of travel, making it awkward to mount a computer or a light, let alone both. The bars were a bit expensive when they first came out, but I see that you can get these for considerably less now.
Similar Products Used: Nothing like these bars anywhere.
Bike Setup: 2010 Specialized StumpJumper 29r.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
Dr. D
a Cross Country Rider
from Chicago/San Antonio
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2010
Strengths: Comfort, control & multiple hand positions.
Weaknesses: Heavy I guess, there are much lighter options for sure. Because of the sweep of the bars, depending on what brake levers you have, and the placement, the cable/hose is sticking out is waiting to get damaged in a crash. This is honestly can be a big issue. I have broken a few Avid SD7 levers. Then again I crash often and very hard. This is also an issue that I will happily live with in exchange for the comfort the bars bring to my life. NO MORE NUMB HANDS!
Bottom Line:
This is my second review of the Marys. I have used these bars for a couple years now and have to say it's the best money I have spent. Comfortable, especially if you ride for hours. If you get numb hands during your rides, this is the answer, period.
Similar Products Used: All the other regular bars, nothing with this much sweep.
Bike Setup: Formerly on a C'dale F600 commuter. Now on a C'dale Prophet FS that bombs the woods and deserts.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
cakake
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft Collins, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: June 14, 2009
Weaknesses: Awkward position, pushes elbows in
Bottom Line:
Some people love 'em, I didn't. Too much sweep/angle, either puts my elbows into my ribs, or makes me kink my wrists, or not grab the bar with my whole hand. Handlebars are a personal thing, but I found these very uncomfortable.
I am a road rider and never venture off the tarmac so this review is aimed at riders like myself.
I was tired and frustrated with the general discomfort of straight bars with a slight rise. My elbows always seemed to be forced outward causing endless re-adjusting in the saddle.I had been saying to a friend for an age that this kind of standard handlebar just does not seem right and being an ex motorcyclist I noticed most of their bars sweep back and slightly down. So after 7 years(!) I started researching alternatives. Reviews of the Mary bars were almost all positive so I took a chance and bought a set.
With only a couple of weeks of use I can safely say these bars are worth the money and worth a try.
The comfort they bring is unbelieveable, I now realise how out of control the straight bars felt especially when braking very hard from high speed. Now I feel balanced and relaxed when the front end dives. Being a wheelie nut I wondered how the change would effect the fun ? Of course it feels slightly odd at first but once again a more relaxed and balanced feel has been gained. Cornering at speed with the bike leant over has been the most noticeable change of feeling, though not a problem just a case of getting use to the new sensation. I added a Renthal bar brace which dilutes the 'cruiser' look and useful for attaching lights. The XT shifters fit ok, felt odd for a moment but work fine. Being a sucker for bikes and their accessories looking good and not awkward the hardest thing to get use too with the Mary bar is the 'bat wing' look especially on a mountain/hybrid bike. Take time setting them at the correct angle for maximum comfort and you wont be disappointed. I hope this lengthy review helps. 46
Weaknesses: Heavyish, looks "different", lengthens all your cable and hose runs
Bottom Line:
These really are great bars, don't be afraid of trying them on a FS 26er. There is a small learning curve but it's just reprogramming your reactions. Wheelies and off-cambers required a bit more thought until they got familiar.
If you have arms, these put them in a better position. It's more relaxed- I think I can breathe easier, and with these your forearms don't do the pulling on climbs, your biceps and upper arms do. No hand numbness anymore either. I recommend these 100%, if you can endure getting a longer stem (+20mm for me), finding your position, lengthening your cables and hoses, and the occasional heckling in Moab, from German XC dorks painted in lycra and cologne (but you'll pass them on the downhill or anything technical anyway).
Strengths: Releived my hand numbness, much more comfortable than any riser or flatbar I have used. Very nice looking finish. Multiple hand positions is nice for long rides. Stable controled handling feel. Soaks up some chatter from the road.
Weaknesses: Little bit of flex while pumping hard in a standing position. Put's the shifters in a weird position, but you get used to it rather quickly.
Bottom Line:
Perfect for what I'm using it for, which is commuting. I'm 100% satisfied with the improvement in comfort over "regular" bars, feel and control have improved too.
15 (now 16) reviews and one curmudgeon. I can't believe the difference with these bars. I'm going down stuff I used to walk before because I feel completely in control. They're really phenomenal.
I also switched to Ergon grips at the same time. I'm not sure if the combination is a 1+1 = 5 kinda thing or if they both just rock in their own ways. but whatever, go buy both and make yourself a better rider instantly.
Similar Products Used: riser bars, flat bars - but nothing else like it
Bike Setup: Asylum XXL 29er
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Jay
a Cross Country Rider
from Lake County, Ohio
Date Reviewed: May 25, 2008
Strengths: Comfort and stability, length of gripping area. Most natural hand extension of any bar so far.
Weaknesses: None so far. Weight, Maybe? Cables need made to made longer, Shimano trigger shifters end up in a funky position. Grips that fit the length.
Bottom Line:
It started with the Planet X bike. Just as something relaxed to ride without being hunch over(road bars) or twitchy (flat bars). Put them on and it was like WHY on earth have I never use these before. I put my hands down by my side and the bars fit my hands without turning my wrist or flanking my elbows to fit. It has not been this natural since my moto-X days. These bars also made my race steed fun relaxed and dependable. I gave up my Easton carbon bars for these. Absolutely no regrets. Ps. Grips Planet-X =funky bar tape w/gel pad. Ritchey = 2 sets of Specialized sidewinders grip. One cut shorter(beautifully) with a pipe cutter and one at full length. One of the best cycling purchases I've made in 15 years.
Similar Products Used: Salsa 7,11 degree bars, Easton 5 degree flat and riser. Ritchey, Titec and Specialized.
Bike Setup: Ritchey with full XTR and weight weeny ti parts and bolts. Planet X Kaffenback Set-up as 8 speed rear with single 36 up front. About the town bike.
Overall Rating:
Value Rating:
Submitted by
johnnyb
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairfax, Cali
Date Reviewed: January 22, 2008
Strengths: Well, I liked the ergonomic feel and light weight.
Weaknesses: Flexy, broke in half. 25.4, not stiff enough for singlespeed
Bottom Line:
Hey where are all the other reviews? I posted earlier and need to post again.
I bought the bars because of rave performance reviews and initial comments I saw on On-One's website. I'm a big, 220lb, 6'2" singlespeeder with 20 years of mountain biking and build up my own bikes. I torque everything right, yadda, yadda.
That said, I used these bars for 6 months singlespeeding, 3 months on a 1X9 climbing steep stuff, mostly cross-country with an occasional steep downhill excitement on the singletrack. The bars flexed, they flexed in the garage while I was just sitting there. I thought it was okay, until they snapped while just riding along. I survived without a scratch.
Some may say it was the stems fault, but I say they are flexy. Not good for a big singlespeeding fanatic. Check it carefully!
What a waste of money. Get a 31.8 something and something stiff for singlespeeding. Zeroes all around
Submitted by
sparky
a Weekend Warrior
from N. Ireland
Date Reviewed: November 22, 2007
Strengths: ergonomic shape
Weaknesses: 25.4mm clamp area, new cost
Bottom Line:
Is there anybody out there who spends a lot of time on the bike and honestly doesn't have sore thumbs? I've holes on the palms of my gloves from resting my hands on the ends of the bars whilst climbing or cruising. These bars are brill. Only just got them, never wanted to pay full price so got them used but had to go and get another stem because I couldn't pick up a shim anywhere to fit the existing oversize clamp on my bike. However, my new stem does let the world see the pretty little Mary peering out! A lot of my friends use them so I knew what I was getting into, they are super comfortable on long and short rides, feel slightly different from normal but anybody can get used to them quickly! FORGET THUMB AND WRIST PAIN WITH THESE BABIES! Plus they look cool.
Similar Products Used: usual riser bars; titec el norte, kona DH, specialized riser xc etc.
Bike Setup: 2006 stumpjumper fsr comp upgraded cassette and chain but that's all apart from the bars
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
scott silvers
a Cross Country Rider
from plymouth
Date Reviewed: October 30, 2007
Strengths: ergonomic magic
Weaknesses: some handling weirdness
Bottom Line:
I've been using the mary for over a year, and I really can't bear to imagine riding my SS without it. It really defines the handling characteristics of the bike for me. I love the stability, ease of effort for out of the saddle climbing, and overall comfort.
But, I must add, it takes a dedicated rider to discard conventionality when using this bar. In some low speed, or off camber situations where you get lazy weighting the inside grip, you will not hold your line with this bar. That is the only quirk I've experienced with the handling adjustment 1 year in on this bar....this one small observance pales in comparison to the superb feel of control and ease of riding this bar emparts. Lastly, I feel this bar is phenominal for an xc bike, but for my 5" Turner 5spot , I don't believe this bar is appropriate for a hucker xc fucher kinda bike, and I'll stick to my 2" 13 deg. sweep salsa riser bar.....but for xc motoring, Mary is magic.
It won't be instant magic for a newbie, but give it some rides and you'll see....
Similar Products Used: lotsa risers with 13 deg. sweeps and a salsa moto w/ a 17 degree sweep
Bike Setup: surly 1x1
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Anthony
a
from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada
Date Reviewed: October 3, 2007
Strengths: Comfortable hand position, good control, stiff, well-suited to climbing. Make your bike look cooler than cooool.
Weaknesses: Somewhat expensive and can be hard to source. Won't make you better looking (just your bike).
Bottom Line:
I love Mary! The hand position just feels natural going up, down, and especially out of the saddle. With the shape of the bar you can really jam your knees forward on standing climbs. It might take a few rides to get your position set up right, read some of the other reviews or forum threads for info. But once you do, it's all about the love!
Similar Products Used: Surly torsion, cheap-o flat and riser bars.
Bike Setup: Rigid 1-speed Karate Monkey with a big fat monkey riding on it.
Overall Rating:
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Submitted by
Robbie the Dog
a Weekend Warrior
from boulder, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: August 22, 2007
Strengths: Hand position(s), knee clearance, ability to yard on them for uphills in too-fat gears
Weaknesses: re-doing cabling for it; can only use some stems (bars are too bent to fit through one-piece clamps); one could always wish they were cheaper...(hence value rating)
Bottom Line:
The angle of the bars is more comfortable, once you get used to it. No more wrist pain, thumb pain (from bars whacking thumbs on downhill). Alternative pseudo-aero position for super-eco road riding from home to trailhead. You can also easily yard on them when standing up cranking up hills (my gearing is crappy).
Looking to get some advice as to which tires to run this weekend. Shuttling some trails in the Sierras and it going to be wet. My tire options are Schwalbe Muddy Mary Performance Read More »
So after checking ebay and craigslist for forever I finally settled on this.
[url=http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280788577856&ssPageName=ADME:L:OC:US:1123#h Read More »
i've heard that most downhillers run the 2.35 version of this tire and that the 2.5 version is just too big.. if a tire is too big how does it affect handling? i run a allmountain Read More »
Hi there,
I want to get myself a 29er and the mary ss is simple, I love it. Unfortunately the current model is not to my liking, the curve top tube. I am not from States so I wond Read More »
