|
Race Face
AirAlloy Handlebar
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Submitted by
C-dog
a Downhiller
from Montana
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Blue mountain | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | QBP | | Strengths: | unbreakable, very stiff, perfect dimensions | | Weaknesses: | The red anodized looks like pink and all my friends make fun of me. | | Similar Products Used: | answer, generic crap, | | Bike Setup: | kona scab, race face, blah blah truvative blah, sram, ZYZZX, blah blah steel hardtails rock | | Bottom Line: | great bar has outlived 3 frames and too many other parts to name I break alot of stuff. 6'1" 190 lbs tends to do that on a hardtail. I do alot of urban assualt and freeride, and this bar has been great, I dont think there is a single other part on my bike that has lasted as long as these bars, believe me thats saying something. I just wish I hadnt ordered the red one it is definately pink not red, but hey I guess thats my fault. reccomend for all types of riding but particularly where strength is important. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Downhiller
from Maryland
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | North shore/urban | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | cool friend | | Strengths: | -awesome Pink
-strong
-
| | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | stock bar | | Bike Setup: | 2000 spec P3 z3 qr20 alex rims xt avid chris king amoeba stem oury grips gazzallodi tires
| | Bottom Line: | sweet, awesome bar really strong if you get a good deal go for it I got an amoeba stem and a race face bar for 2o bucks from a really cool stem and it looks really cool. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JeFF
a
from T.O., Onterrible
Date Reviewed: March 6, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | secret | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$46.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria | | Strengths: | -Strong
-Race Face quality
-Great warranty
-Look Great | | Weaknesses: | uhh, hard to snap? | | Similar Products Used: | Icon, Easton, Titec | | Bike Setup: | Shore w/S7, Race Face, Avid, 24" Doubletracks ect | | Bottom Line: | This bar has been Awesome for the time I've had it. Super strong, nice and stiff, looks cool, and I'm sure that I'll buy another one after this breaks. Plus, it is Race Face . . can't go wrong there!
5 chilis for this guy | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
MtnBaker
a Cross Country Rider
from Boise, ID
Date Reviewed: December 11, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | the one under my wheels | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$47.00 | | Purchased At: | beyondbikes.com | | Strengths: | Strong as an ox
perfect width, rise, and sweep (hi-rise version)
comfy
| | Weaknesses: | heavier than carbon | | Similar Products Used: | Icon flat bar, Easton carbon CT2 flat bar, Specialized low-rise, Easton Monkeylite carbon low-rise | | Bike Setup: | (1) Redline monocog frame; RF cranks, stem, hi-rise bar; thomson post; Sun Rhynolite/Superstock wheelset; Selle Italia Saddle; SID XC fork; Time pedals (2) Gunnar Rockhound frame; RF cranks, stem, hi-rise bar; XTR/Rhynolite wheelset; thomson post; Selle Italia saddle; XT drivetrain; 'Zoke Z2 Atom 80 fork; Time pedals | | Bottom Line: | I liked this bar so much on my ss that I ditched a Monkeylite carbon riser off my XC hardtail for another RF hi-rise. Being an ss'er, I tend to get out of the saddle and crank hard uphill, even on the gearie - this bar does not flex and I feel like I get a lot more torque to the pedals than I ever did without it. The 26.5" width is perfect for my size and riding style (and the wide-open desert conditions around here - it may be too wide for narrow, tree-lined trails) and the 9 degrees of sweep makes the bar fit in my glove like...well...a glove. Even at $47, I think this bar is a bar-gain (bad pun, sorry), when you consider that a monkey lite costs more than double that. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
max bouck
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | esspreso | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$69.00 | | Purchased At: | cove | | Strengths: | this bar is awsome it has anice rise its wide and it build skill and confidents. | | Weaknesses: | none yet | | Bike Setup: | specialized stumpjumper, manatou,xt, xtr | | Bottom Line: | i just got this bar today and i have already improved 3 fold. it gives so much more controle and i can pull a full tweek from just pulling up my front end for a second.
go buy it now | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
turtle
a Cross Country Rider
from Rochester
Date Reviewed: November 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Honest Bike Shop | | Strengths: | I actually bought the flat bar. I'm impressed with the stiffness of this 170 gram bar. The contruction, both heat treated and shot peened, is awsome at this price. It feels good but I preffer a little more bend, but that's all right because they match my RF cranks. | | Weaknesses: | Race Face doesn't make matching Berts.
| | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey, Icon, Titec | | Bike Setup: | A little bit of this and a little bit of that. | | Bottom Line: | Great bar. This is stiffer than bars weighing a hundred grams more. I haven't crashed 'em hard yet but I think they will last a long time. And the colour is cool taoo. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Downhiller
from N. Ireland
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Chain Reaction Cycles | | Strengths: | This is the Air Alloy DH bar. Beautiful width, rise, sweep. Stiff and precise. Excellent machining. It feels just right! | | Weaknesses: | My bar snapped within 2 weeks. The light expensive alloy perhaps doesn't have a high fatigue resistance, but i bought another one anyway cos it feels so perfect! I crashed on a set of doubles at high speed and bounced 30feet with my bike somewhere behind. The impact on the ground snapped the bars. They didn't fail while i was riding. | | Similar Products Used: | 24/7 simple bar, titec dh, sintesi riser. | | Bike Setup: | coyote dual, DJ1 forks, hope bulb/d321, hope m4's, truvativ hussefelt, blackspire, xt, race face diabolus stem. | | Bottom Line: | I still have complete confidence and have just fitted another set of these bars! The most perfect feel from a riser, ideally suited to a freerider or downhiller looking for factory spec stiffness and feel without an excess weight penalty. For dirtjumping....i think u guys might bail a little too much! These are as used by factory DH teams. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Downhiller
from Amherst, MA
Date Reviewed: November 3, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | roller coaster | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Cyclesmith | | Strengths: | Strong, good sweep, good rise, not too heavy. | | Weaknesses: | A little pricy, I got mine for $30 used | | Bike Setup: | 2000 S-works FSR downhill. | | Bottom Line: | This bar is now on it's fourth bike! That's right, I snapped a XC frame, cracked a DS hardtail, and cracked a downhill frame but this bars still in one piece. I write this review because I'm about to retire the old Race Face bar. I want to try out somethign wider on my DH bike and would imagine that after 2.5 years of pretty heavy abuse that even a tough bar like this might be getting pretty tired. This is one of those great components that I'd buy again (if it came any wider) and that you want to hang up on the wall after you're done with it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Cross Country Rider
from Central, NJ
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$62.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike King | | Strengths: | perfect amount of rise, light enough | | Weaknesses: | a little pricey | | Similar Products Used: | stock specialized bar | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Rockhopper FSC Comp, mostly stock, | | Bottom Line: | Granted I don't have much experience at this point. These bars were an impulse buy that were recommended by the shop guy. Fit me perfectly, feel great and improved my ride on the first day out. Didn't notice much flex, lighter than the stock bars I swapped out. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
WA
a Cross Country Rider
from Redhill
Date Reviewed: June 24, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Lots | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Nirvana. Westcott | | Strengths: | Width, rise, sweep, weight, stiffness | | Weaknesses: | Cost | | Similar Products Used: | stock spesh bars, stock marin bars, azonic doublewalls | | Bike Setup: | Kona Kikapu, Z1 X-fly | | Bottom Line: | I couldn't believe the difference these made to my riding. The width is great, gives you so much control, and the sweep brings the grips comfortably to your hands. They do flex a little, but this absorbs some trail chatter and adds a certain natural flow to your riding.
They are perfect for XC thrashing (ups, downs, rocks & singletrack) and thew low rise is enough to ease lower back pressure without turning your bike into a harley davidson.
Fantastic bars, just a tiny bit expensive (the apparently excellent monkey bars are £13 cheaper after all). | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Houghton Houghton
a Weekend Warrior
from Boonah QLD Australia
Date Reviewed: May 4, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Mt Cootha (illegal) | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | The Gap Bike Shop!! | | Strengths: | This is fr the Air Alloy Riser
Nice Rise and bends
Great pink/red colour and graphics
Strong
Great for Freeriding, trailriding and DH
Not too heavy | | Weaknesses: | Pink (other colurs avalible for Hardcores)
Expensive
Bit Heavy | | Similar Products Used: | aluminium flat bar (Dirty) | | Bike Setup: | 99 Avanti Aggresor with BMX Pedals | | Bottom Line: | These bars are Gnarly! I wanted more control with risers and these were a very good choice. I was too hunched over with flats and these are much better for my back.
They are expensive and a bit heavy but they are a pro level DH Bar. They offer more control and are more comfortable. They didn't seem to disadvantage me when climbing.
If you want this type of riser and can afford it get it.
Overall-5 flamin' chillies, turds, whatever they are.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcel Lopez
a Cross Country Rider
from Puerto Rico
Date Reviewed: May 2, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$32.00 | | Purchased At: | Price Point | | Strengths: | very light without sacrificing durability and toughness. It is very good in improving the overall performance of the bike. | | Weaknesses: | ??? | | Bike Setup: | Trek 4300. XT deraulliers. Raceface seatpost, handlebar
and grips. Time pedals, trailblaster tires, bontrager superstock rims, selle italia pro link saddle, avid arch rival brakes, lx cranks and levers, manitou magnum fork
sram powerglide 7.0 cassette, sram pc-69 chain, bontrager race stem. | | Bottom Line: | im very pleased with this handlebar. its light and very strong. and the race face name on it tells me its a very good handlebar and should last me quite some time. If your looking for a flat bar, look no more. buy it. you wont regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Josh
a Weekend Warrior
from Amherst, MA
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Doesn't seem to break. Not too heavy. | | Weaknesses: | A little pricey, I got mine used. I'd never pay full retail on it. | | Bottom Line: | Put it on my bike and never took it off. Enough with skinny narrow flat bars already. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Al
a Weekend Warrior
from Australia
Date Reviewed: November 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | comfortable angles
looks good
not too heavy for a riser bar (in fact about the same weight as my old stock flat bar) | | Weaknesses: | there are lighter bars out there if you can aford the price | | Similar Products Used: | Titec flat bar | | Bike Setup: | Giant | | Bottom Line: | I bought this bar because the ride position was too leant over with my old flat bar.
I ride for fun only. The riser bar has made a huge difference to my comfort. Getting the ride position right for your body is very important. Don't do what I did and put up with stock parts thinking "I will get used to it". After 2 years I finaly decided to spend the money and fit a new bar. Should have upgraded 2 years ago!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mauka Rider
a Weekend Warrior
from R.S.M. Ca.
Date Reviewed: August 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Any Singletrack | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | SuperGo | | Strengths: | Shot peened for increased strength, durable, and good bend for hand positioning. | | Weaknesses: | These bars are just not wide enough for tech. riding. The high risers are only 26" wide. | | Similar Products Used: | Club Roost, Answer Protaper, Easton, and Titec. | | Bike Setup: | Installed and Schwinn Homegrown HT | | Bottom Line: | These are good bars, but they are just not wide enough. I have been riding my HT now since I broke my FS and can notice the difference when riding the more tech. trails and the bikes are set up exactly the same except for the handle bar width. I finally switched the bars to Easton MonkeyBar until my new FS is ready.
These bars are better suited for the North Shore where a narrower bar is preferred. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Andrew
a Cross Country Rider
from Boulder, Co.
Date Reviewed: August 29, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Niwot Bike Shoppe | | Strengths: | Looks Cool...Light weight | | Weaknesses: | Not the toughest handlebar on the block. | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey force lite and several generics | | Bike Setup: | custom ti soft tail from eee.empirebicycles.com, race face + xtr drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | I thought these handlebars looked cool and they were very light weight so I put them on my bike. Unfortunately they bent in a crash on my third ride with them. I know it isn't the handlebars fault that I crashed -- but I would think they would be a little bit tougher. Maybe I should try some carbon bars next time (I am stil riding with the bent ones ;) )
2 Flames on value beacuse they didn't last too long -- 4 flames overall because they are very light weight and "do the job". | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neil
a Cross Country Rider
from The Jaw, sask Canada
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | havent decided yet | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Spokes and Attire in Calgary | | Strengths: | Tough as heck, looks sweet, gives a great riding position. Plus the whole bear beating thing. | | Weaknesses: | Maybe just a tad wide but only cause im trying to find a problem. | | Similar Products Used: | Many a flat bar plus a generic riser | | Bike Setup: | giant frame, xt drivetrain, raceface bb, cranks, bar so on. | | Bottom Line: | I would reccomend this bar to anyone, its stroung, fairly light and looks schwash.5 flaming whisky craps. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ryan
a Racer
from IA
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Wow, do I hve to pick just one?????? | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$42.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Co. | | Strengths: | Very stiff for XC use and wide enough to allow me to breathe huge air. Also, when you're climbing out of the saddle, you got all kinds of leverage. I've even taken a crash doing a wheelie on pavement and it stood up well and never bended at all. | | Weaknesses: | None yet | | Similar Products Used: | LP Composite Carbon XC bar, GT flat bar, RF flat bar, Profile carbon | | Bike Setup: | Typical XC race machine | | Bottom Line: | Great bar, good value too. Looks cool and wasn't too heavy either. Highly recommended | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Manny
a
from Austin,Tx.
Date Reviewed: June 18, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | The Bike Co. | | Strengths: | Strong.
Canadian quality. | | Weaknesses: | A little beefy. (So what!) | | Bike Setup: | 2001 -All XT Intense Tracer | | Bottom Line: | Very good bar! I got the silver finish.
Aside from some 'war scratches',it still keeps going. (Even after I hit that rock wall at MULESHOE...ouch!!)
If only RaceFace would offer a lighter aluminum,or carbon handlebar... | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Burton Coleman
a Weekend Warrior
from Brentwood, TN
Date Reviewed: June 10, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Columbia...(Chickasaw Trace?) | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bicycle Outfitter | | Strengths: | Cool Color.
Light Weight.
Strong.
Good to beat a bear with if it attacks you. | | Weaknesses: | The color turns too many heads! | | Similar Products Used: | Genreic Schwinn Handlebar | | Bike Setup: | Homegorwn | | Bottom Line: | Good Stuff Get one! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mike
a Cross Country Rider
from ontario
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | the TORONTO international bike show | | Strengths: | i bought mine at the bike show in TO, so i got a deal on it 65 canadian... lie 80 or nintey american... the bar is CANADIAIN. | | Weaknesses: | i got the last one they had so i got a gold colour one.. | | Bike Setup: | 2000 atx840.. formula hubs & fr dic brake.....nice alumninum frame | | Bottom Line: | this is the bottom line... nothing can beat it.. shorter riders like me should definatley look into the flat bar... but if ur over 5"7, get the rser.. i heard its nice too. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jose Rodriguez
a
from Littleton
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Colorado trail | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$64.00 | | Purchased At: | Littleton Cyclery | | Strengths: | Stout, stiff, bomb proof | | Weaknesses: | Heavy at 300 grms, but hey, this think can be used to beat the snot out of a mule. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager, Control Tech, Eaton C2 carbon | | Bike Setup: | Gary Fisher Sugar 3, XTR brakes, Selled de Italia saddle, Raceface chain rings. The rest is stock (Bontrager) | | Bottom Line: | I have tried the lightest bar out there, the Eaton C2 carbon. At 23" wide I felt I was riding a little big wheel and my chin was on the handle bar. To hell with light weight stuff. I got a 300 grm, 28" wide, 1.5" riser bar from Raceface. The thing is big, ugly, stout and makes my Sugar feel like a Harley. Now I can bomb downhill as fast as I want and have full control of my bike. Not even once while my brain has been rattling down a rocky descent have I had a doubt that this handle bar could not take the punishment. When it comes to handle bars, weigth is a non issue and comfort and control rule. This thing rules, even when climbing, my arms are spread apart wide enough to let my lungs breath. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason Metzler
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft. Collins, CO
Date Reviewed: March 22, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | unknown trail in moab | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | rm 103 edwards hall colorado state universtiy | | Strengths: | nice and compact, strong, light, rigid. god bless the flat bar. thicker in stress spots, | | Weaknesses: | plain but who cares. unless you are some downhiller with a show bike. | | Similar Products Used: | specialized riser( I hate risers)
shimano. flat bar(off the Gary) | | Bike Setup: | 1999 FSR xtr front, Xt rear, ritchey wheelset, rock shox deluxe and a rock shox judy 100. tectro quartze brakes, wellgo pedals, specialized body geometry saddle. | | Bottom Line: | I like it. you might like it too. especially when it;s free. I wouldn't use the flat bar for DH but you should already know that. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pedro
a Cross Country Rider
from Isle of Menorca, Spain
Date Reviewed: March 17, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Macarella | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Jorma bikes, Andorra | | Strengths: | Good looking, stiff, well done | | Weaknesses: | Don´t know yet | | Similar Products Used: | Easton | | Bike Setup: | Jeckyll 2000 SL, no CODA please, shimano XT disc brakes, XT/XTR | | Bottom Line: | My back ache has disappeared at once. Does not bend, and is not as stiff as to brake your arms. Fine. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Krado
a Weekend Warrior
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Eh? | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$22.00 | | Purchased At: | T.H.H at Bedok | | Strengths: | Mmmm...good looks, much better stupid Kalloy which ACTUALLY flexed when I turned on the power. I usually thrash my bike harshly everywhere and anything I can find, from Tasek to Bishan. Being a heavy rider ( 75 kgs ) I was happy to see my bars hold out very well, even after kissing the ground. ( Ow! )
I paid S$56 for this babe, which is not so bad since there are many more expensive bars out there!
| | Weaknesses: | It looks kina boring from afar, no show value, but seriously, who cares? | | Similar Products Used: | Kalloy UNO System. ( this sucked )
Azonic dbl wall ( This rocked too )
Coda ( I found it heavy ) | | Bike Setup: | Stock '99 Diamondback Vectra comp SE, except | | Bottom Line: | Strong, stiff, light. Terrific value!
Get one and ride!
One of the best handlebars I have tried, no flexing, strong and ( seriously ) improves the bike's handling.
Well one reason could be that it is wider than my Kalloys, makes the bike easier to flick around corners, and gives more breathing space.
And oh, one more thing. You wouldn't need to worry about snapping this bar. It's stronger than you ;)
4 chilis for value ( I know there are some cheaper but flashier bars out there, oh, I trust Canada stuff ^_^ )
5 flamin chilis for performance. I was blown away. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tundun
a
from malaysia
Date Reviewed: January 25, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$26.00 | | Purchased At: | local bike shop | | Strengths: | light and strong | | Weaknesses: | non yet | | Bottom Line: | as good as it comes.the best handlebar that i've used.
it doesn't bent even when i hit a tree at high speed | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Racer
from UK/Germany/Taiwan
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Montie Brione Garda Lake | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light, choice of colours, it's a nice piece of bike jewellery, it's got a bend in it. | | Weaknesses: | None at the moment. | | Similar Products Used: | Titec Hell Bent, Bontrager & Ritchey flat bars. | | Bike Setup: | GT Zaskar LE, Sid SL 01, Sram/Shimano drive train, Crosslink wheels, USE post, Time, Wildgripper tyres, Azoni stem. | | Bottom Line: | If you are a flat bar user like I was then do yourself a favour and buy some riser bars. When I got my other bike whilst abroad(a full sus. Giant) I decided to go the riser bar route. The GT was my race bike which I kept kitted with flat bars. After being used to risers I found getting back on the GT made me too low so decents were tricky and the steering twitchy. I bought the Raceface riser and the bike's handling has been transformed. I think that the whole reasons for using flat bars for racing is simply not true. I can climb just as well with the risers as flat bars and bar ends and the decents are just way easier. Plus I think my breathing is better now. Raceface are just one make of bars and they look good and perform well. I can't say any noticably better than the Titec's on the other bike but after all it's only a tube with a kink in it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tamas "Chevyman" Virag
a Cross Country Rider
from Victoria, BC, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Skull/PhaseII | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Strong, light, looks cool, cheap (I got mine for 25 bucks CDN), and MADE IN CANADA!!! :) | | Weaknesses: | umm...if you buy it brand-new, it's pretty expensive...any colour as long as it's black (as far as I know) | | Similar Products Used: | KAlloy UNO (U.L. Series), Titec 118 | | Bike Setup: | Univega Alpina 507/Marzocchi Bomber Z.4/Full LX/XTR V brakes | | Bottom Line: | Very awesome bar...strong, yet light...too bad no one's buying flat bars anymore...but the AirAlloy is one of the best out there. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris
a Racer
from Cleveland, UK
Date Reviewed: March 31, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | a good one | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Light, Cheap, | | Weaknesses: | Bent a bit at the end like. | | Similar Products Used: | ????? | | Bike Setup: | Coyote Easton Hardtail, with SID's | | Bottom Line: | Good value 23" bar, that is 6 grams lighter than stated, which makes a load of difference!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Reverend Horton Hoolihoo
a
from Saskatoon, Canada
Date Reviewed: March 26, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Similar Products Used: | Scott AT-3 | | Bike Setup: | I have an old- but sweet- rigid GT | | Bottom Line: | I have one of the flat Air Alloys, and the bar flexes just enough to be comfortable without feeling noodly-oodly. The bar is double cool because I found it kicking around in my parents garage! Free! Free! I'm still gonna get a riser, though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
james congdon
a Racer
from orange, ca
Date Reviewed: October 30, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
cheap, long 23 give good leverrage without riserbar goofiness | | Weaknesses: |
i swear it's easton,airalloy my arse | | Similar Products Used: |
short ritchey bars- cut weight by cutting bar | | Bike Setup: |
a bike | | Bottom Line: | i got the 3 degree 23 pewter- rough finish embeedds dirt fast. good leeverage ffor climbing and turning. Improves technical handling. more stable highspeed maneuvers. why usse 22 short hyperlites or ritcheys? better balance by 23 | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Twiggy
a Racer
from Nova Scotia Canada
Date Reviewed: July 27, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Alleycat | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Light, strong, good amount of rise for XC riding and racing | | Weaknesses: |
none so far | | Similar Products Used: |
Normal flat bars, Bontrager Cro Bar | | Bike Setup: |
Cannondale F400 '99
P-bone M | | Bottom Line: | This is my first riser bar ever. When I first considered buying it I thought, is this gonna make my bike look wimpy? Am I still gonna be able to race with this bar? And now that I have it on my bike, I know that it not only looks better than the flat bar that came on my bike, but it makes me stronger in the rough stuff and on downhills. It also saves me nearly a pound over my old steel flats. If you are considering switching to riser bars, I'd say do it. It's also good for your back and for trials riding! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Nick
a Cross-Country Rider
from Calgary, Canada
Date Reviewed: July 20, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Where's the dirt? | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Strong
Relatively light | | Weaknesses: |
Annodization may wear off but it happens with almost any bar | | Similar Products Used: |
Coda Competition bar w/ Babu 2 barends | | Bike Setup: |
'98 1/2 Cannondale F3000 | | Bottom Line: | Although not the air alloy flat bar this is the 26 1/2 1 1/2 rise bar. This bar rawks. I love it. The width is great. I put it on Friday and raced the 24 hours of adrenaline crashing hard twice and it held up great. It's also a good price and well proven. Get one! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kman
a Weekend Warrior
from Texas
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Cedar Hill State Park | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
Strong, stiff, light, good warranty | | Weaknesses: |
Red turns to pink very fast | | Similar Products Used: |
Control Tech, Specialized, GT | | Bike Setup: |
GT Zaskar, Judy XC | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic bar BUT,I had an anodized red one and it turned Pepto-pink in just a few months. I couldn't stand to look at it anymore so off it came. I crashed hard with it a couple of times and it held up strong so I WOULD suggest getting one....but not the red one. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bradon
a Cross-Country Rider
from Reno
Date Reviewed: July 16, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Peavine | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
1 rise, super wide | | Weaknesses: |
might want to cut it down if you ride in brush or narrow trees. It looks lame with bar ends. | | Similar Products Used: |
Syncos bar | | Bike Setup: |
ti bike w/XT stuff and SID | | Bottom Line: | When I first purchased my bike it had a standard straight Syncros bar. I had to raise the seat so that it was 2 to 3 inches over the grips. This postition resulted in back pain and some serious crashes on the downhill sections of our races. I now have the Race Face Air Alloy bar with a one inch rise. What a difference! No more back pain and the small rise allows more control and less wieght over the front wheel. This bar was both higher and wider than the old bar so, it took some getting used to. The only problem I can see is that if you live in an area with trees and bushes you may want to cut it down a little. We have no trees here in Nevada so it's not a problem with me. 5 chilies. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fat Boy
a Cross-Country Rider
from Highland Lakes
Date Reviewed: June 28, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
2 Years | | Strengths: |
Strong and light
Takes a lot of abuse | | Weaknesses: |
none yet | | Similar Products Used: |
stock bars | | Bike Setup: |
CAAD 3 w/ SX TI & XTR | | Bottom Line: | This bar is great, I have had a couple of good falls and hit some immovable objects (trees) and there is nothing wrong with the bar. I would recommend this bar since it is a great balance between weight savings and strength. There may be lighter bars but I didn't think a few grams were worth my front teeth. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Green Giant
a Cross-Country Rider
from Illinois
Date Reviewed: June 26, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
positioning, particularly the width | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Similar Products Used: |
well, handlebars | | Bike Setup: |
yeti arc as | | Bottom Line: | Well, it's only a handlebar. But I think for XC that air alloy low riser is perfect. Especially for broader shoulder guys. The added 1-2 inches over a regular bar really makes a difference for me. The height you could get with a stem, more spacers etc, but this is an easy way to get more comfortable and get a bit more control. Great bar. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
biggs
a Weekend Warrior
from el dorado hills, ca
Date Reviewed: April 29, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Bottom Line: | I just installed the riser bars...the quality is awesome. Its so nice to get a something that is so wirth the price. A quick loop around the block..perfect! If you like a bit more stability, these are the ticket.Thanks to Brett and Kalo, always a pleasure to deal with.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stephen
a cross-country rider
from Washington
Date Reviewed: March 4, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I just recently purchased the Air Alloy Riser...I ride and race XC and need something to get me more upright, because my back was hurting me, so I bought a riser...I haven't ridden it on trails yet, but I can tell that it is way more comfortable...Thanks again race face | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron Lloyd
a racer
from canada
Date Reviewed: January 8, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
This handle bar is awesome. i had bent the cheep one that came on my bike, and the first time i road with this bar, i crashed really hard. it stood up, and it still hasn't bent after 6 months. it is awesome, not the lightsest, but really stiff, and strong. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ricardo Decker
a cross-country rider
from Riverside, CA
Date Reviewed: October 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had this bar since March and I recommend it highly. There are other bars that are a little lighter but at 150 grams this bar works perfectly. I paid $36 but I recently saw it on the Cambria website for around $20! At that price, this handelbar is a steal. I have crashed several times, one time with my stem and handlebar taking the brunt of the fall, and other than a couple of scratches, my Air Alloy held up beautifully. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Barnone
a cross-country rider
from Hawaii
Date Reviewed: October 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Since I was trying to put together the best most reliable products on my new
bike, I stuck with Raceface components. Some other notible components thus far on my bike are King, Marzocchi, Mavic, Shimano, WTB, Bontrager, Continental,
Thompson and a strong Ellsworth frame.
The RF riser fits the geometry and comfort of riding my bike without hindering
the front end wondering on extremely steep climbs. As far as looks and finish
it's top notch and does not scratch as easily as an Azonic bar. I do believe
RF hype about testing their products to ensure safe and durable products especia
lly since they back up their bars for two years. If you ride hard on a regular
basis you should change your bars anyway, which shouldn't bother some since
they change their components every year Shimano comes up with some miracle discovery for MTB nirvana.
Anyway if you purchased the RF system the bars fits perfectly without over- torquing the bolts.
Ride on and if it swells ride it.
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
IGGH
a cross-country rider
from Victoria BC Canada
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Great bars - wide for bigger riders. From a great company with excellent customer support. Another fine Canadian product. Kind of hard to write more than that about a bar Hmmm. it fits my Raceface stem just fine. The comapy's name has a cool rhyming thang happening. Thanks again to Physical Culture for excellent service, great advice, and a good attitude. Five flaming triple coilers with a DQ twist. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dude
a cross-country rider
from east coast
Date Reviewed: September 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
The bar is good, but the finish SUCKS!!! I got red ano, now it is pink ano. Ugh... Looks somewhat fruity to me. This magic color change occured over a time span of 1 summer, with no chemicals applied, no extended waits in the sun, no neglection, etc. I guess if you get another color than red it won't look so fruity when it fades. I just hope my supergood red raceface cranks don't turn pink. Now that would suck! I know, the bar doesn't deserve such a low rating, but c'mon, a pink bar is as good as a broken bar in my world. I wouldn't use either. Maybe if society (and me) accepted pink as a cool color then I could keep using the bar, but until then, I'm going for something else. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
josh
a weekend warrior
from montreal, Quebec
Date Reviewed: July 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought this handlebar last year and its still going strong. it kicks ass.
im very happy with it, and i had no problems. its a good quality bar. i recommend it to anyone.the bar just plain and simply rocks. the best thing about it is that its made in Canada and the Us. NO CHEAP TAIWAN GARBAGE | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
zach
a cross-country rider
from montgomery village
Date Reviewed: July 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the Air Alloy Riser Bars, like most people I ride till I find a hill then I ride down it. I wasn't sure about the riser bar, i thought it was only for DH riders, but I would recommend this bar to anybody. It is way comfy and really adds to the control of my bike. Plus tons of killer colors. Get one of these,. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Kassay
a cross-country rider
from Durango, Co
Date Reviewed: May 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I own a set of turbine cranks and am very unhappy. The small chainring pulled
out of the spider, along with stripping all the threads. What should I do?
These cranks are less than a year old. I own a set of turbine cranks and am very unhappy. The small chainring pulled
out of the spider, along with stripping all the threads. What should I do?
These cranks are less than a year old | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave Macki
a cross-country rider
from Ottawa, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 1, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I received the air alloy riser about two months ago and really enjoy the bar. It is
extremely well crafted with just the right amount of rise (1.5). I own other raceface components and feel that they are superior quality to most components on the market. They also have excellent customer service which is a huge plus in my book. The handlebar itself made an immediate difference (for the better) to how my bike feels. This was unexpected as I thought a riser was more for show. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Thomas
a cross-country rider
from Arlington, VA
Date Reviewed: April 3, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I just got this bar in the mail yesterday (Airalloy Riser) and I am very impressed. You have no idea how much a riser bar can improve the way your bike feels. The red anodized bar has a magenta look to it (different anodizing process than their cranks) but still looks good. One minor complaint though - the bar has a warning label sticker wrapped around one side of the bar where the grip goes. This warning label took me 20 MINUTES to remove, thanks to the nasty residue it left behind as little bits of it tore off. Ugh... Normally I would have used goof off or something but I didn't want to ruin the anodization. Great Bar, Great Finish, Somewhat Light, Great Company! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John B.
a weekend warrior
from Urbana, Il
Date Reviewed: March 28, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Great finish. So far, it does not creak. Yes it its narrower than a lot of other bars but, this is better when going through narrow single track, so you don't catch you bar ends on vines, branchs, bushes or saplings. It works. Raceface seems to alway make components that make sense. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Arbysauce
a weekend warrior
from VA
Date Reviewed: February 5, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I ordered this one from Aardvark; it's a huge improvement on my old one, saving SOME wieght, but really livening up my front end. (Who knew a bar could do that?) My only gripe is that I lost 1.25 inches on the spread, making things kinda cramped, esp. on the right side. I've moved all my junk as far in as I can.... now I just gotta make sure my cables aren't too long. Overall, pretty cool and a great guarentee, but it could use an inch to increase room. Word to our moms | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Arbysauce
a weekend warrior
from Northern VA
Date Reviewed: January 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Who else has a two year guarantee on a bar? The bar is light and strong, and if you ask nicely, may come with BERPS, essential in using barends. The only drawback I found in the bar is the spread: it's not as wide as I'm accustomed to , but even with the one inch less, I have room for a computer, light, barends and the usual shimano accessories.
I'm most geeked about the guarentee; confidence through manufacturer's policy, that's the way it should be.Word to Raceface. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lithium
a cross-country rider
from Kenora
Date Reviewed: January 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Strong, Light, and lasts a lifetime.
What else can I say? The best parts are found at RACEFACE!!
It looks like this year that there will be new kinds of bars.
Such as carbon. Race Face have to be the collest people to deal with.
See the Jan version of Mountain Biking Mag to see a write up on the company
and their R and D. They actually have a singletrack on their back yard!!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Buzz
a cross-country rider
from White Rock, B.C.
Date Reviewed: December 1, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I just got the riser bar too, and it is wicked. Light enough and super strong. The red looks wicked on my bike and they are the perfect size- 26 wide, 1.5 rise, 9 degree bend. Race Face rules! Canadian too! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a weekend warrior
from Orange County, CA
Date Reviewed: November 24, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I just got their new riser bar. It is very nicely made and looks great in the anodized black. It has about the right amount of flex and it pretty light. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jerome
a racer
from Canada
Date Reviewed: October 2, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Great Bar. Looks good, lots of colours, 2 year warranty, and 3 degree bend. Been racing on it for one season, lots of crashes but no cracks.
Also get the RaceFace BERP's (bar end reinfrorcment plugs), they only cost a couple bucks, wiegh a couple grams but save the ends of your bar when using bar ends. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
jerry
a cross-country rider
from corvallis, or
Date Reviewed: September 24, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Very nice finish, the right length and bend, Race Face even sent me free BERPs when I called to ask who carried them! Good quality product, great company! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jean-Pierre Bolet
a weekend warrior
from Leeds, UK
Date Reviewed: August 18, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
A great bar. Pretty light, excellent finish, nice and wide, comfortable bend,
seems durable, reasonable price. What else can you say?four chillis, er, dude. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mark
a weekend warrior
from ontario
Date Reviewed: August 16, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
they rock and look good at the same time | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Odd Man
a weekend warrior
from New Westminster BC Can
Date Reviewed: April 11, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Many colors which is nice. Strong, fairly light, good quality. But unless you
have a crappy oem (stock) bar that's fairly heavy then any old bar is fine
by me for the most part. Hyperlites, AirAlloy, Bontragers ... just pick one and
be happy. I think there are other places on your bike one should pay more attention
in terms of performance like shifters, cabling, fork, frame ... etc. The RaceFace
is sure nice though. | | Overall Rating: |
| |
|
Photo Caption Contest
(sponsored by Maxxis)
|
Enter here
|
|
|
$
