The oversized and butted 25.4mm-diameter profile of Titec's new Hell-Bent Ringleader extends completely through both the 2” rise and center sections, making it stronger and stiffer than all the other traditional DH bar designs that use shims, or that taper earlier.
Material: Oversized (25.4mm) Tubing Completely Through Center & Rise Sections 7075-T6 DB Heat Treated Aluminum Tubing
Width: 690 mm (27") Wide
Bend & Rise: 2" Riser Bar with 9 degree Back-Sweep by 5 degree Up-Sweep
Bike Setup: singlespeed giant STP on 24inch wheels. dirt jumper2s. one avid bb5.
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Submitted by
Daryl K
a Weekend Warrior
from Saratoga, California, United States
Date Reviewed: April 19, 2006
Strengths: Exceptional durability under abusive riding conditions.
Weaknesses: Heavier than a typical XC/AM riser bar (Titec Hell-Bent Epic series, Answer ProTaper, Easton EA series aluminum bars, etc).
Bottom Line:
*Review for Titec Ringleader, 6061 alloy, 690mm/27" long, 25.4 clamp diameter, 1.5" rise, 9 deg back-sweep and 5 deg up-sweep*
I purchased this bar with the intent to ride in agressive trail conditions, where I needed more confidence than any XC/AM riser bar could offer. I do tame solo rides 2 days a week, but when I'm tagging along with guys that go big, the Ringleader helps me go there too. That said, this bar is probably overkill for weight weenies, XC/AM one speed demons, and anyone who enjoys climbing fast.
Too much rise for XC/SS crowd, big chunky for AM crowd, just right for agressive (attention careless and abusive riders) crowd, too wide for dirt jumpers (chop the bar down to 26").
The bar's 1.5" rise, 120mm fork travel, and -5 degree stem angle make the front end ride uncomfortably high in any flat or climbing situation. On the flip side, this bar rips down rocky and rooted trails where front end stability is key.
The Ringleader gave me confidence that keeps the wheel pointing straight when the trail gets nasty.
Ringleader too heavy? Try the Easton EA50 or EA70.
Similar Products Used: Kona Clump DH oversize bar, Truvativ Hussefelt oversize riser, Titec Hell-Bent DH (7075 alloy, 1.5" rise, 645mm long, anodized blue), Easton EA50, various flat bars and carbon riser bars.
Bike Setup: Kona Kikapu in AM/4X setup: 3.5" rear, 120mm fork, super wide 27" Titec Ringleader bar, Thomson Elite 5 degree stem, Lock-on grips, SL-M751 right hand shifter, Avid BB7 with levers shoved toward stem for better one finger braking
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Submitted by
Reilly
a Downhiller
from Palmer Lake, CO
Date Reviewed: March 25, 2006
Strengths: Really stiff, some riders might not like its long length but it gives me more stability, feels beefy as hell, good looking
Weaknesses: none so far
Bottom Line:
simply put, sick. pick it up if you want a stiff dh bar
Favorite Trail: Wild Thing or Paid in Full at Keystone
Duration Product Used: 1 Year
Purchased At: Came stock on bike
Similar Products Used: stock P.O.S. bars on other bikes
Bike Setup: 03 giant ac1: manitiou tioga xt stomp titec wtb mavic hayes
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Submitted by
Matthew
a Weekend Warrior
from Westminster, CO USA
Date Reviewed: February 3, 2006
Strengths: Set-it-and-forget-it reliability. Allows you to steer the bike without holding the stem ;-)
Weaknesses: A bit heavy, but not bad given the performance.
Bottom Line:
A great handlebar - period. I'm a big boy (200+ lbs) and have had a number of bad spills that should have bent the bars and these are still like new. I like wide bars and these are perfect for my broad shoulders.
Similar Products Used: RaceFace and Bontrager bars.
Bike Setup: 2003 Giant AC2, Cloud Nine rear shock/Z1 FR3 front shock.
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Submitted by
Guy
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Angeles, CA
Date Reviewed: October 25, 2004
Strengths: Looks great in matte silver! Strong 2" riser bar. Nice and Firm. Light weight. Just the right length for (titec mag: on sale) barends and other accessories. Buy this combo at Cambria now! No, I don't work for them.
Weaknesses: Red Logo was slightly faded (big deal). A little pricey at $65. Keyth at Cambria gave them to me for $50 because they were out of the azonic world force that was much cheaper.
Bottom Line:
An expensive handlebar but it feels and looks good and I'm happy!
Bike Setup: Cannondale F300 with new guizzo (kallyuno) suspension seatpost (works good) with a Zoom riser & 40 degree riser stem to save my back. I bought a (wide) Brooks leather to saddle to save my rear.
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Submitted by
Serge
a Downhiller
from Kyiv, Ukarine
Date Reviewed: December 9, 2003
Strengths: Not bad, not really bad handelbar. This year I've been tried to ride really agressive as I can and jump so high as possible for me. 6-7 meters high dirt jumping with the Rock Shox was really comfortable, but 175 mm of the fork travel not enough for the flat landings. I've been changed the fork to Monster T 200 mm. Than I found the weakness of this handelbar.
Weaknesses: With the Monster T 2003 I bend 3 times this Titec after several falls. As I understood if we will use soo heavy fork we have to without delay change the handelbar for much durable and thick-walled bar. Next I will try the Funn Fat Boy Slim so will see how is the long life of jumping for it.
Bottom Line:
Just long period of the riding will show to you the weakness of materials you use. Experience,experience,and again experience.
Submitted by
steven
a Downhiller
from missoula, montana, U.S
Date Reviewed: May 26, 2003
Strengths: very rugged, good looking,
Weaknesses: little bit heavey might be a little wide for some peoples liking
Bottom Line:
if you want toughness and dont care about a bit of weight get these bars. Ive went head first a few times and thought id bend the hell out of em but they are fine great dh bar for a decent price
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Adelaide, South Australia
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2002
Strengths: - strong design - fairly light weight
Weaknesses: - none that I can think of
Bottom Line:
A good strong bar which still remains relatively light. If you get one at a good price (like I did) then get it. Four chilli's for value (as the RRP is a little high), but five chilli's overall.
Strengths: ultra freakin strong ive crashed so hard and there still perfect have not bent with some insane drops done
Weaknesses: ahhhhhhh...non
Bottom Line:
these are sweet bars i think there unbreakable i crashed and the forks(ss8)broke into a zillion pieces and the fork was still perfect buy these bars and there fairly inexpensive
