Submitted by
Simon
a Cross Country Rider
from Scotland Date Reviewed: May 16, 2008
Favorite Trail:
Innerlethen
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$57.00
Strengths:
- Light - Flat - Strong
Similar Products Used:
NA
Bike Setup:
Rock Lobster Tig Team SL
Bottom Line:
In my opinion there are two things which most change the feel of a bike 1, the tyres 2, the handlebars
I bought these to replace the sluggish Easton riser bars that were originally fitted to my bike. fitting them turned a sluggish but stable steering setup into a twitchy, paranoid, jumpy and very very fast head down setup - EXACTLY what i was after.
buy these if you want the best value carbon flat bar (that i could find at the time) out there. but if you havent tried a flat bar before then MAKE SURE you try a friend's first - its a totally different feel to riser bars.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Kristian
a Cross Country Rider
from Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Date Reviewed: July 31, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Wascana Trails
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$80.00
Purchased At:
Western Cycle
Strengths:
Well first and foremost it's a RaceFace product, which for me says quality first and foremost. The Carbon Fiber gives you a phenomally light bar (99 grams) dropping 161 grams or a third of a pound off my old bar (Cannondale Stock Bar) and there is no compromise in stength with the bar end insert plugs and titanium anti crush zones.
Weaknesses:
Some riders may not like being as stretched out over the bike as the Next SL makes you. Also there isn't a ton of sweep to the bar. HAVE A TORQUE WRENCH WHEN INSTALLING! I've heard too many disaster stories from over-torquing carbon parts.
Similar Products Used:
Cannondale Fire Riser Bar, Old Bontrager Crowbar on old bike
Bike Setup:
Cannondale Bad Boy Ultra Bontrager Select Disc Wheels Race Face Next SL Flat Bar Cane Creek Ergo II Bar Ends and Lock-On Grips
Bottom Line:
The bottom line is this is a great addition to my bike. I really brought me out over the front of the bike on the climbs and when I use my barends now I really feel like they're serving their purpose compared to how the felt on the riser bar as just another hand position for the flats and almost useless on some climbs. The weight savings is an added bonus especially since the bar is still really strong to boot. Overall I'd highly recommend this bar to someone looking to make a good XC cockpit on their bike as that is what I'm in the process of doing.
$
Overall Rating:
