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Submitted by
schlim
a Cross Country Rider
from Hayden, ID
Date Reviewed: October 5, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Blue Sky | | Strengths: | Great rise and angle, strong, no flex, good width for control, nice shot-peen finish, comparatively lightweight. | | Weaknesses: | None found! | | Similar Products Used: | Salsa Pro Moto flat, Easton superlight, Truvativ XR riser, Bontrager riser. | | Bike Setup: | Turner Six Pack. Titus Racer X. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bar. The rise and angle are just right for wrist comfort and bike control. I wouldn't run anything else on a full suspension bike. Best handlebar ever. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
alex
a Cross Country Rider
from santa monica, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: February 16, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | cherokee national forrest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | price point | | Strengths: | This is the best looking handlebar. Period. Finish is the best. No colors, no cheap decals (at least not on my black one), and no lame carbon fiber snapolio. Strong enough to bash through any window. | | Weaknesses: | Someone else already said it, if ride a lot, rain, dry, hot...the grips just love to pop off. I am going to try a little tape underliner for my new oury's. Other than that...bad ass. | | Similar Products Used: | All of them. | | Bike Setup: | TREK 990, black everything, orig. XT everything, salsa sk/answer rocker/thom stem/king head/real crings/spd 747/8 sp/specialized hemispheres/nasty fasty crashy no problems | | Bottom Line: | Sorry Easton and Race Face and whoever else you are, this one kicks your butt. If you really care that much about a couple of grams, or want to just go to the store and stay on the sidewalk at 10mph...dont waste your money. If you want to take off on 10-15 stairs, or feel like you might get run over in Koreatown and do a knee/hand plant on some girls hood, smashing it nose down (hope you have a good stem too...), or just feel like curb hopping or jumping logs instead of climbing them; well I hate the sound of carbon fiber crunching shortly followed by bones (especially my nose...yeah...9X)...so here she is. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chris
a Weekend Warrior
from concord, ma, usa
Date Reviewed: July 6, 2007 | | Favorite Trail: | great glen, nh | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$47.00 | | Purchased At: | jensonusa.com | | Strengths: | looks, stength, stability due to wideness | | Weaknesses: | some cool logos get covered up by grips | | Similar Products Used: | stock handlebar, crowbar on old bike | | Bike Setup: | 2006 k2 attack 2.0, protaper, avid levers, sun rims and deore hub in back, SX-5 shifters, X-7 rear der. | | Bottom Line: | best 47 dollars i've ever spent on my bike. it may seem like 47 dollars is a lot for a new handle bar, but the wideness of the 27 inch one gives you so much more stability and balance, and you can pop your front wheel up a lot higher, probably because you get better leverage or something. it was a snap to install and seems like it will last forever!! If you're at all interested in becoming more stable on your bike, DO YOURSELF A FAVOR BY GETTING THESE HANDLE BARS. i strongly suggest getting these handle bars in the 27-inch size because they are so stable. even if your current handle bars are in fine shape, these ones really improve your skills....
also, get them at jansonusa.com bacause they are cheap there.................. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gungadin
a Weekend Warrior
from Nevada
Date Reviewed: October 29, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Strengths: | Rigid, Looks Very Cool, Huge leverage advantage with 27" bars. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Cannondale Fire, Monkey Lites, Botranger | | Bottom Line: | These bars are great because they are really stiff, but very lite. I ride at dessert trails, so tress are not an issue. Thus, I opted for the 27" bars. The extra leverage is amazing and far more comfortable than the 25" that I was using. Great bars for the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Morgan Fleming
a
from Apex, NC USA
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Lake Crabtree | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | JensonUSA.com | | Strengths: | These handlebars are really comfortable, they are strong and the 2" bars have a nice bend to them. They look great, and they were only $35 when purchased from JensonUSA. | | Weaknesses: | The 2" risers came at a 27" width, which was a little to wide for my tastes. But I cut an inch of both sides and fixed that problem in 5 minutes. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager Crowbar OS | | Bottom Line: | If you want a nice set of handlebars at a great price, these seem like the best choice to me. They are light, strong and come in gold, black and titanium color. They also come in multiple clampsizes and rise heights. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael
a Downhiller
from Toronto
Date Reviewed: December 10, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Highway- Blue Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bike | | Strengths: | Extremely light and very stiff as well. Rise and sweep are perfect. | | Weaknesses: | At the price I paid, I do not think there are any weaknesses. Overall, at full price, the bars are worth every penny | | Similar Products Used: | Axiom stock bars & Funn | | Bike Setup: | Norco Shore, Diabolus stem, Pro Tapers, Double Track rims, everything else stock. | | Bottom Line: | This is a great bar. Super strong. I dont exactly know how these other people are bending them like crazy. Maybe its the the torque you put on the bolts of your stems. Follow the setup and you should be good. Dont reef as hard as you can. Pro Tapers are sweet. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a
from pinhole
Date Reviewed: September 26, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Downieville, Oathill Mine | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Purchased At: | Sunshine Bike, Fairfax Ca. | | Strengths: | Xcelent bend, strong, light. | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic risers | | Bike Setup: | Versus Blitz versuscycles.com Manitou, RaceFace, Fox DH5.0, WTB | | Bottom Line: | Very light bar, excelent bend. Cut 1/2 inch off ends to get between trees a bit better. Same bar on 2nd bike in almost 2 years without a problem, just like Grom at Sunshine said it would be. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kris
a Weekend Warrior
from Wyoming, USA
Date Reviewed: July 20, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Best fit in the business. This bend is the the most comfortable out there. I have the Pro Taper XC with 1" of rise and have no problems at all. | | Weaknesses: | All the bone heads that buy it, wreck on it, and blame the handlebar for their ineptitude. | | Similar Products Used: | Maxm, Race Face. | | Bike Setup: | Like you care! | | Bottom Line: | The Pro Taper XC bar is the most comfortable XC bar I have ever used. I just recently made the switch from flat bars and bar-ends and wonder why I never changed. The bend on this bar provides a very natural and comfortable riding position. I am a big guy that rides hard and wrecks hard. I have yet to damage these bars. They are a 7000 series aluminum bar, there is nothing tougher unless you get Cr-Mo. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Fernando Marcos
a Weekend Warrior
from Algarve, Portugal
Date Reviewed: April 10, 2005 | | Favorite Trail: | Sintra | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | A local store | | Strengths: | Good looks, weight, geometry | | Weaknesses: | That's the point, too weak for a dh riser bar | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey WCS, RF Diabolus | | Bike Setup: | Coyote Dual frame, MZ MX Comp, Full Diabolus, XTR, Hope Mono Mini, Dee Max | | Bottom Line: | I bought the oversized version to match with my diabolus stem, hoping it would outlast my frame.
Just after 5 rides, in a crash in the dirts, it bent like butter, despite all my other components are intact.
Moved into a Diabolus, hoping it will last longer than the protaper.
If you're looking for a lightweight part, it's ok, but if you want a bar that keeps crashing and still straight, look elsewhere. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
chuck brand
a Cross Country Rider
from Fairmont WV
Date Reviewed: February 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | primo bike 'n sport | | Strengths: | a good selection of sizes expecially cause i need a wider bar with a small amount of sweep. sturdy, and good looking` | | Weaknesses: | none yet we will see if i can break this one | | Similar Products Used: | race face low riser | | Bike Setup: | fisher sugar 2+ w/disc | | Bottom Line: | great looking and as i said before i can breathe now cause i have a wide enough bar now | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
steve pete
a Downhiller
from U.K
Date Reviewed: November 28, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Any thing big | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | k-mart bike branch | | Strengths: | handle grips slipped on nice
| | Weaknesses: | -scratch easily
-bend easily, snap when forced back
-look cheap and nasty
| | Similar Products Used: | X-lite fatty | | Bike Setup: | Orange patriot | | Bottom Line: | if you are looking for a bar for your little girls bicycle so as she can drop off curbs with minimal bendin then definatly go for something stronger.
i was just testing the product because the sponsors wanted to promote the item but, the first drop i took was a little 4 foot an they right angled.when i bent them back they simple snapped. i told my sponsors i would not put my name to such a product!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Sunnyvale, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | on-line | | Strengths: | Seems to be strong and well manufactured | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager flat bar | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Sugar 2 | | Bottom Line: | I have converted from flat to 1” riser a few months ago, and I find the new position to be superior. Don’t expect too much, it’s only one inch difference, but it does put you in a better position for technical trails. I have a 2000 Sugar 2 with a very long top tube (if I’m not mistaken it’s 24.5”), so the riser ease somewhat on my back, but my position is still fairly low, and I never experienced problem with lifting the front tire.
The Answer seems to be well manufactured and of high quality. Initially I thought I would buy a carbon bar, but I don’t trust this material in a critical component such as the handlebar. You need to be very careful with carbon whenever you mount something on it (shifters, levers, etc.) and you never know when the material gives up - it just snaps on you. The Aluminum might be slightly heavier, but you’ll never have a second thought on the trail. Save the weight somewhere else (especially in rotating parts).
If you are looking to refresh your bike with a new component that will also affect your riding, riser bar is a good candidate, and not that expensive too.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Seth
a Cross Country Rider
from Washington DC
Date Reviewed: July 16, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Robert E Lee Memorial Park | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | performancebike.com | | Strengths: | Got it for an amazing price on sale although I was planning on buying them anyway. Fairly lightweight and very strong (I weigh almost 200 lbs and they can support me pretty well). They have a decent rise, which I particularly like since I am on a 21" frame. They are in a comfortable position and have not bent like my last handlebar. The damping is good, but not enough to make me feel uneasy | | Weaknesses: | Havent found any yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Stock schwinn alimunum handlebars | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn Mesa (aluminum) with Shimano Deore Discs, Alexrims, Shimano XT drivetrain | | Bottom Line: | A great set of handlebars for anybody who wants light weight, high strength, and durability. Today, some old guy opened his car door right infront of me and I hit it at around 20 mph. The handlebars didnt budge, though I cant say the same for the rest of my bike. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a Cross Country Rider
from Centennial,CO,USA
Date Reviewed: March 23, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Apex, White Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Purchased At: | Treads (where I wrench) | | Strengths: | Rocking sweet bar. good rise and really stiff | | Weaknesses: | funny sweep. Is there such thing as too stiff? | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey Forcelite, Spec flatbar, Bontrager Crowbar | | Bike Setup: | Magical Specialized M2 | | Bottom Line: | Buy it best bar for the money! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Iowa
Date Reviewed: January 19, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Bike world (where I wrench) | | Strengths: | angles(rise and sweep), durable finish, strength to weight ratio. | | Weaknesses: | for me they were too wide stock so i cut about a half inch off each side. | | Similar Products Used: | cheapies, bontragers, easton, kore, icon | | Bike Setup: | '03 rainier setup for fr with azonic, answer, avid, shimano, primo, manitou, mavic | | Bottom Line: | This is a sweet bar to ride. So far I haven't felt any give at all and my gold finish is still lookin' good. Goes perfectly with my Azonic shorty stem. I would definitely recommend this bar to anyone unless they think 250g. is too much. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Hadrian
a Downhiller
from Newtown, CT
Date Reviewed: January 11, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Strong
Stiff
Sweet geometry | | Weaknesses: | Could use stronger paint? | | Bottom Line: | Well built. Mine doesn't have those stickers some people are talking about, it's all painted straight on. Paint is a little weak but what does that matter. It has a sweet feel. Good bar for the $. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Robert Fish
a Weekend Warrior
from Simi Valley, Ca. USA
Date Reviewed: November 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Cheeseboro | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$64.00 | | Purchased At: | Simi Cycling Center | | Strengths: | Strength and durability, manly width, weight, quality finish and appearance. | | Weaknesses: | Stickers did not last long. (who really cares?) | | Similar Products Used: | Various flat bars, cheapo risers. | | Bike Setup: | '98 Cannondale Super V, Psylo fork, Fox air shock, FSA triple bearing bottom bracket (square), Coda crankset, Shimano XT f&r deraillers & shifters (8 speed), Shimano xt disk hubs/Sun Ryno Lite rims, Panaracer Fire XC Pro tires, Shimano Deore Mech. disk front/LX V-Rear, Avid Speed dial 7 levers, Shimano 646 pedals, Cane Creek C2 headset. | | Bottom Line: | Durable product that has stood up to the test of time. Wide bars give great control. Excellent vibration damping without being "flexy". Major improvement over narrow, flat bars. Not the least expensive, but worth the price. Buy and forget product. 5 and 5. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: August 10, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$37.00 | | Purchased At: | online | | Strengths: | I think the handlebar itself is a pretty damn big strength | | Weaknesses: | not applicable | | Similar Products Used: | stock flat crap, Ritchey Rizer comp (strong but very heavy) | | Bottom Line: | I dont like flat bars and bar ends so the stockers were tossed for some Ritchey rizers. Those made my hands go numb and they were very heavy. Its a great DH/FR bar though. So wanting to switch to a lighter bar to lighten my rig and to try to stop the numbing hands, I found these. I think what drew me to this model is that it was nearly half off retail and it was in my opinion close enough in weight to many flat bars. These bars are awesome, light and stiff and no numb hands. This is all I will ever need in a handlebar. Ive known Answer for making great motorcycle bars so I figured I could trust them for bikes too. This is the perfect bar for recreational XC riders who like to blow their money on components which greatly outclass the bikes in which they are installed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Aaron
a
from Singpore
Date Reviewed: May 14, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | i only go for gold. dun ask me. | | Weaknesses: | is there any? i m juz obsessed with the gold | | Similar Products Used: | azonic dbl wall | | Bike Setup: | i m not proud | | Bottom Line: | if u like gold, go get one.
mine is the old stickered version which IMHO looks better than the newer etched on type.
if protaper come in black only , i would hav ignore it totally.
be it for poser or for the true XC in u. get it !!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
joel cote landry
a Weekend Warrior
from granby quebec canada
Date Reviewed: March 28, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | bomerang | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | one of y freind | | Strengths: | it rules everybody sais its the bomb , look awsom like the name anwser , color rules , its strong like hell , never breaks , fits in every potence , and never gets loose | | Weaknesses: | stiker goes off when you buy it , color too , it looks thin at the edge , a bit flexy inthe midle but doesent seems to bother , insted of having 4 inch if travel i have 5 hahaha
| | Similar Products Used: | easton monkey , titec all models , race face , proflie tomac
azonic , radical , specialized , kona dh , and kona free ride | | Bike Setup: | kona roast 2k small , jrt , kujo dh , intense dh 2.5 , ditcch witch 26 , kk disc , hayes dh , race face lp dh dh dh dh dh , race face bb dh , xtr , .... | | Bottom Line: | wel if you want an sick handle bar , buy it but if you wana a fu..ing good handle bar .. buy it !!!!!!!
its all i have to say !!!!!!!!! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bo Toichi
a Weekend Warrior
from Maui
Date Reviewed: March 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | to yo mamas house | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | quality, durability, strength | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | Koski straight bar, Titec Hellbent riser | | Bike Setup: | DBR XR-4 frame, Avid disks, Z1 MCR, Vanilla R, XT/LX group. | | Bottom Line: | I never noticed that my bars were flexing until I got the ProTapers. They are a quality product that I would recommend to anyone. They are probably the last handlebars I will ever need to buy. Well worth the money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alex
a Cross Country Rider
from CH, NC
Date Reviewed: February 28, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | Franklin street cycles | | Strengths: | The bar is STRONG | | Weaknesses: | I become overconfident and start to do stupid stuff | | Similar Products Used: | titec straight bar | | Bike Setup: | GT lightning, w/platforms | | Bottom Line: | I was hesitant to put a riser bar on my bike. I thought that it would affect my climbing ability. It did... they climb better than my straight bars w/ bar ends. I crashed a bunch and they are still on my bike, unbent. I couldn't say the same for myself. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Burmeister
a
from Cheboygan, Michigan, USA
Date Reviewed: February 23, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Petoskey Convict Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson USA | | Strengths: | They have a great look and are a virtually unbendable handlebar, Very lightweight , There protapers all the moto-crossers have'em | | Weaknesses: | The price is a bit steep | | Similar Products Used: | Nashbar riserbar | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar Sport-Odi lockon grips-LX rear derailer chain-disc breaks and rims-raceface crank-XT front derailer | | Bottom Line: | A GREEEEEEEEAAAAAAT Handlebar, YOur an all around rider and you dont worry bout budget but you worry about quality and style | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Silver23
a Weekend Warrior
from Amsterdam
Date Reviewed: December 16, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Lago di Garda in Italy | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Local Bike shop | | Strengths: | Not too heavy, Durable and good looks, Wide enough but not too wide. | | Weaknesses: | Haven't found one yet. | | Similar Products Used: | Easton handlebars. | | Bike Setup: | Frame: Ghost Dual Slalom
Wheels: DT Swiss Hugi Hayes/Mavic 521 rims
Fork: Rock Shox Psylo Race 2002
Brakes: Hayes Hydro Disk Brakes
Shift dept.: full XTR
Handlebar: Answer Protaper
Tyres: Rear 2.35 IRC V-Claw/ Front 2.1 Ritchey ZMax
Saddle: Terry Liberator, very Good
Stem: Azonic ORC
Crancks: Shimano LX with Rock Ring
Pedals: Shimano 636 SPD's / Wellgo B36 Platforms | | Bottom Line: | I like this product a lot, it has good reviews and I think for good reasons. It complements my Bike, It is only outshined by my :
"Ghost Dual Slalom" Frame (review)
which I bought in May 2001. It is a sweet frame, a tad heavy but you need durability if you are riding urban or dual slalom. 2.3 Kg. The frame colour is Gold Anodized. It has reinforcements along the desired points and double gussets where needed. For this frame you need to setup your bike with a long travel fork at least 100 mm. otherwise it gets way too nervous in the handling departement. The rear end of the bike is a real piece of work, nice craftmanship. Havent found any flaws yet with this frame. Ghost makes good bikes through out their complete line of bikes. There are good reviews to find in several Bike mags. I suggest you check some out on the following links:
-Bike Magazine
http://www.bike-magazin.de (Five Stars) *****
-Ghost Dual Racing Frame.
http://www.ghost-bikes.de/english/home.html (Four Stars)****
(sorry in my opinion Steel still Rulez!)
By the way the German "Bike"magazin is one of the finest available. the down side it's not in English, anyway the test and photographs in it are of top notch quality, if you stumble upon one just check it out! The top part is they cover bike stuff globally opposed to some American mags that only stay national!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ross Lafontaine
a Cross Country Rider
from Bridgeport, WV
Date Reviewed: November 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Elk River Mt. Bike trail. | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Purchased At: | Came with my bike | | Strengths: | Greatest Bar EVER. No joke the decals on this bike are even mean. This bar is pretty much unbendable and the striking black looks very cool. You will love these bars if you get them, no question. | | Weaknesses: | That they don't make more of them??? | | Similar Products Used: | None, this blows everything else outta the park | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Specialized Rockhopper FS. Manitou Magnum Fork, These bars, Weinmann Zac 19 rims, Deore 9 speed kit....Need I say more???? | | Bottom Line: | The Bottom line is that these are the best bars you can buy, period. Stupid old fashion riders think "Oh straight bars, straight bars" I have three words for you "Answer, there is one, Protaper, there is two, Risers." So if you are looking for an awesome bar for a really good price, and you are ready for a real bar, check 'em out, you won't be dissapointed. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Big Brain on Brad
a Cross Country Rider
from Boone, NC
Date Reviewed: November 13, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | no, they all suck | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | a bike shop | | Strengths: | perfect bend, strong, good for nothing piece of...
| | Weaknesses: | just kidding | | Similar Products Used: | yes | | Bike Setup: | 2001 Huffy Wishihadafreeridebike | | Bottom Line: | This is a nice bicycle handlebar | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
K. Medley
a Weekend Warrior
from Metropolis, IL
Date Reviewed: March 27, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | canal loop @ LBL | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | catalog | | Strengths: | Great bend with plenty of length. Lightweight and strong with just the right feel. | | Weaknesses: | Pricey! | | Similar Products Used: | Mostly hyperlites and various other non riser bars | | Bike Setup: | Sid fork on a Titanium frame Diamondback I have had for 6 years or more | | Bottom Line: | This is absolutely the best bar I have tried. It gives me more control on the descents and gives me more leverage climbing. If you haven't tried a wide riser bar you do not know what you are missing. This bar has just the right amount of bend to it also. I wish it didn't cost so much, but it was worth every penny (and I have crash tested it) I did cut it down to 26" when I got it and now I regret it. I just wasn't used to it being so wide. So my advice is to give it a chance at the stock length. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil Dawg Dawg Dawg
a
from Cali san fransicko
Date Reviewed: January 16, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Works | | Strengths: | its sick becuz there pro tapers. these are the BEST bars out there...if ur want stronger than get the Azonic
Double Wides | | Weaknesses: | stickers? i paid 80 bucks for these!! damn
i could have bought 15 dollar handle bars and bought the pro taper stickers | | Similar Products Used: | azonic, easton munki lites | | Bike Setup: | trek 8000, chris king headset, xtr brake package with xtr shifter and xt rear derailer, MRP, Cully Pedals, manitou x-vert DC, rhyno lites and a cute lil santa atenna ball on the shrader | | Bottom Line: | these bars wont let you down. if you break them you must be pretty hard core cuz these are bomb proof. 4 for value becuz it cost too much for bars with stickers on them but 5 for overall since they are unbreakable | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
atomkinder
a Cross Country Rider
from La Crescenta, California, USA
Date Reviewed: October 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | the dirt ones - just love to ride | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | Montrose Bike | | Strengths: | Very light in weight.
Nice 2" rise - helps put in a great riding position on my Mantra.
Attractive "Stealth Black" color. | | Weaknesses: | A bit pricy.
Have not used it long enough to find any faults. | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | 98 Klein Mantra Race | | Bottom Line: | It is great for fixing the Mantra "Superman" riding position. The width of the bars also add to the control factor. Gotta love the "stealth black" color.
Haven't seen to many of the competitor bars but would feel comfortable recommending these. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kasey Elliot
a Racer
from Deep river, ontario, canada
Date Reviewed: October 8, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Sand-del-lee motocross park | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Pete's sales and service | | Strengths: | The answer Pro Taper, is one of the strongest bars you can buy that is not double-walled. I race motocross and this bar has not bent yet. I crashed hard, broke my thigh and my left arm, and the bike was pretty much perfect , the bars stood up to the test awesome. I think it is light, strong enough for motocross and all DH racing, just get used to the various bends. It sure as heck looks race-bred. | | Weaknesses: | it is a pain in the rear-end,(since it wont let me swear) to put grips on, the shot peened surface is a pain in the butt to fool around with. | | Similar Products Used: | Renthal Twin-wall, Renthal FAT bar, AZONIC double wall | | Bike Setup: | GT LOBO 1000 DH. cane creek wheel sets, magura hydraulic discs front and rear, XTR shifts,XTR derailleurs, rock shox AIR VANILLA float, and 2001 marzocchi SHIVER WC DH, awesome, the bars on this bike make it perfect. | | Bottom Line: | The bottom line is , with my motocross , and with my downhill bike, the bars work perfect , they are strong , light, and look awesome, shot peened and all , they decals are cheap, no matter which way you put it , but who cares, no one else makes a shotpeened handle bar, let alone gold ,
the cool thing is , you can choose colors, and they are oversize. Renthal TWIN-WALL's cost a heck of alot more and weigh alot more too.
I recommend these bars to any racer. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mathias Appelblad
a
from Gothenburg
Date Reviewed: July 14, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | anything technical | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Strengths: | Light, wide, perfect angles | | Weaknesses: | Just a tiny bit flexy, the surface is a not very scratch resistant, be careful when you mount it | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic double wall, Easton Monkey Bar EA70, Answer Alu Light | | Bike Setup: | Santa Cruz Chamelon, Rock Shox SID 100, Kore Forged Light stem, Race Face Real Seal headset, Race Face Turbline LP cranks, Hope hubs, Mavic D521 Ceramic rims, Magura Quicksilver brakes | | Bottom Line: | Perfect bar for technical XC and hardcore Freeriding, light, responsive, gives a lot of confidence at big drops and fast descents. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rich Peters
a Downhiller
from Carroll, Ia United States
Date Reviewed: April 27, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Portal, Porcupine Rim | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | Relatively Light
Bombproof
Could suffice as a weapon if need be... | | Weaknesses: | If you are a "gramy," this is not the bar. Go get yourself a monkeylite if you are that anal. | | Similar Products Used: | Titec Hellbent
Easton Scandium
| | Bike Setup: | Homegrown 4 Banger | | Bottom Line: | This bar destroys all others "hands down." You can crash it numerous times, as I have, and the tensile strength and fatigue life remain. I've gone through numerous parts in trying to "tweak" my bike, and this one, even though I've only had it for six months, has stood the test where many others fail after a few rides. Also, kick a-- customer service after I ripped through the original stickers. Answer sent me 4 more with no quest. or money. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dave
a
from Jersey, Channel Islands
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Fast Single Track | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Great looks, light, strong and wide | | Weaknesses: | Getting it on the stem was an arse. | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic Double wall | | Bike Setup: | Miyata elevation, XT, Bomber Z1 | | Bottom Line: | Really good for tricks and stunts and picking up power. Does anyone really give one if the decals come off, the bar is still as good. Bit tricky when the track gets thin. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Downhiller
from Denver, CO
Date Reviewed: November 11, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Logger's Way, Keystone CO | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
great pimpish gold color, shot peened construiction, light and really stiff | | Weaknesses: |
decals but who gives a hoot | | Similar Products Used: |
Titec Hellbent | | Bike Setup: |
XTR/ XT with Manitou XVert R | | Bottom Line: | sweet bar for a good price but i am going to buy a high rise Monkey Lite from Easton soon, not that the Answer is not good but i like the Monkey better | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vladimir
a Cross-Country Rider
from Mexico City
Date Reviewed: June 22, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
fast single tracks | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
looks cool, and works great even on climbs | | Weaknesses: |
you don´t deserve the stickers for the price that you pay | | Similar Products Used: |
bontranger race lite, titec | | Bike Setup: |
Santa Cruz Heckler | | Bottom Line: | It works like others riser but it wheight less | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John
a Racer
from Castle Rock, CO
Date Reviewed: April 28, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Colorado Trail | | Duration Product Used: |
1 Year | | Strengths: |
Nice looking, but more important, works well. | | Weaknesses: |
Decals, and it took three guys over an hour to force them into my Syncros non hinged stem. Pretty stupid, huh? | | Similar Products Used: |
Flat bar. Not bad but now feels TOO narrow | | Bike Setup: |
Litespeed Unicoi, grip shift, Oury grips and as mentioned, a Syncros non hinged stem which is a nice stem, but you BETTER get a hinged one. When I change the bar, the stem will have to be changed too cause it AIN'T comming off! | | Bottom Line: | Great set up. Nice ride. I have the grips in about an inch from the end where I use stumpy bar ends for climbing and the narrower position for control. I really like the flexibility of these size bars. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ted
a Weekend Warrior
from Greenman
Date Reviewed: April 3, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
dirt, dirt, mud | | Duration Product Used: |
less than 1 month | | Strengths: |
Wider than my doorway | | Weaknesses: |
Stickers don't last | | Similar Products Used: |
Bontrager, Crow bar | | Bike Setup: |
Klien Pulse Race - The best | | Bottom Line: | These bars rule. I have so much control now, and more power from the ability to rock my ride. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Sick Air
a downhiller
from NY
Date Reviewed: March 6, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
This bar is great. I can already notice a big difference in steering over my previous flat bars. I went with the Protaper because its light, strong and it comes in gold! Definitely worth the extra $ over the Azonic or Roox. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Doyle
a weekend warrior
from Shrewsbury Shropshire
Date Reviewed: March 6, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I purchased these bars about three months ago and have succeeded in bending them to the point of looking like a pretzel. Mind you this was after crashing full pace into a 4x4 vehicle!! While they lasted they are a class bar and look the part. The decals are a bit on the non-permanent side but the gold shot peened finish is enough to last a lifetime. At 70 quid they are a bit on the expensive side but always worth spending the extra tenner instead of the Pyramid | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jack Harris
a cross-country rider
from Shropshire, England.
Date Reviewed: December 26, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Being a princly sum of 75 quid these bars are no cheapies and being
249 grams they are light but not the lightest (easton Monkey bar 235)
The decals scratch off easily and the shotpeened finish wears quickly.
My friend managed to bend a pair after only 2 months of use, and they are
really impractically wide for zooming in and out of trees on many downhill courses.
In their favour they do look ultra cool and are light for downhill bars.
Personally I'd go for somthing a lot cheaper and a bit heavier. Saying that
my Club Roost XC's are 195 grams and haven't bent or broken for over 2 years
of use. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tris
a cross-country rider
from Newport Beach CA
Date Reviewed: December 9, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Being a cross country rider, I thought I would not like the riser bars on my hardtail that much. My wife, who rides a DBR V6 with riser bars loved them and I kind of liked the positioning when I would ride her bike. My only question, can I climb with them? Well the answer is a big YES! I absolutly love them, the wider bars give me so much control on singletrack and DH, also I use little stubby barends that help my positioning during climbing. My bike looks cool and I would highly recomend them to hardtail owners. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
THE MAN
a racer
from
Date Reviewed: September 29, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Great Bar
I am no DH maniac, but these function too damn well. Lightweight for all purpose riding. Has that burnished treatment on the bars for stress-relief, hence making the bar stiffer despite its thin walls. Moreover, wall are thickened (tapered) at bends (stress concentration point) as one moves towars the center. These bars kick some major ass. You guys at Manitou rule!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terry Hunt
a weekend warrior
from San Jose, Ca.
Date Reviewed: August 25, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I threw away my junk flat bar about a month ago and replaced it with an Answer Pro Taper bar and I haven't regretted it yet. Much more control now that my hands are more than a foot apart. My old bar was 22, the Answer bar is 27.
Having riden 200 miles on them I think I've decided they're 2 too long. Other than that I think they're perfect. Much more comfortable hand position. The 2 rise has given my military neck a little more room to stretch, especially on the downhills. Climbing is only slightly compromised. I do kinda miss my bar-ends once in awhile, but not enough to change back to that dumb flat bar. On top of the improved performance my Stumpy even looks better, and it looked pretty cool to begin with. Overall I'd say you can't go wrong with this bar. It's strong, it's got all the right bends in all the right spots and the finish is very high quality, which is what you expect when paying 70 bucks for a handlebar. | | Overall Rating: |
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