Submitted by
Bob
a Cross Country Rider
from Boca Raton, FL Date Reviewed: December 16, 2007
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
eBay
Strengths:
Looks great Light weight
Weaknesses:
Weak at the stem junction
Similar Products Used:
Many aluminum bars; this is my first carbon bar
Bike Setup:
Salsa Caballaro; XT with SRAM Rocket triggers, Juicy 7's, Sun Disc Jockey wheelset, SRAM 991 cassette, SRAM PC 991 chain, Thomsen Elite post, Cane Creek headset, WTB, Specialized tires, Race Face cranks.
Bottom Line:
I'm too heavy/aggressive for these bars apparently. I coupled this 25.4 mm bar withan FSA XC140 stem. The bars have large depressions in them where the 4-bolt FSA faceplate and the hollow stem come together against the bars. I'm disappointed as the aluminum ProTapers I had were excellent, as those I had on off-road motorcycles previously.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Vivian
a Cross Country Rider
from utah Date Reviewed: August 9, 2006
Favorite Trail:
porc pine rim, moab
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Strengths:
Very light, this model claimed wieght is 135 grams! For a riser bar very light. Good looks, vibration dampening catches what leftover vibes my talas fork does not. Wide enough and comfy.
Weaknesses:
comming from a alloy bar background, i was shocked at first at the flexyness. The light light bar carbon thickness is very thin. Thus 135 grams!
Similar Products Used:
Ritchey WCS flat bar, <-- love it at 124 grams, however it was short at 22 inches wide and not comfy. OEM Specialied heavy ars bar, reliable thick wall and works stiff as a bone.
Bike Setup:
Specialized FSR xc, with the works. Ritchey WCS: stem, grips, rims, spokes, seatpost and seat. XTR f&R mechs, and cassette, hayes hydros, fox fork, canecreek shock, ect ect.
Bottom Line:
Paired with a 90 gram Ritchey wcs stem its a very light front end. Im not sure on the durabillity of carbon but so far so good.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Fritz Lehr
a Cross Country Rider
from Raleigh, NC, USA Date Reviewed: March 7, 2006
Favorite Trail:
Beaver Dam
Duration Product Used:
2 Years
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Durable, light, price
Weaknesses:
None so far, except maybe wish they were a tad wider for more control at speed. I think carbon bars have a life span of about 2 years before you are supposed to replace them, but not sure.
Similar Products Used:
Carbon, Aluminum and Titanium bars
Bike Setup:
SC Blur, XTR Disc wheels, 4 piston XT disc, XT everything else, Thompson St post, Mavic 317, egg beater candy pedals, Cane Creek Hdset, Easton Mag stem
Bottom Line:
I have owned a couple of carbon bars and I have had zero failures. I have had this bar for about 2 years now without any problems. I have take my bike off of 3-4 foot drops and I weigh about 200lbs. I don't know if I am lucky or if the reviewers on this product over-tightened their stuff on the bars. I typically run my shifters a little loose so when I crash they can move some rather than break. I know I can't go back to aluminum bars because they transmit every little vibration into your hands and wrist.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Joel
a Weekend Warrior
from SoCal Date Reviewed: January 21, 2005
Favorite Trail:
Cannell Plunge
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
lightweight, flexible enough to soak up vibrations.
Weaknesses:
Flexible enough to soak up small bumps, and energy when you stand & hammer...
Similar Products Used:
Titec Hellbent XC, Scott Vertigo, Weyless carbon flat, Easton Monkeylite.
Bike Setup:
Kona Kula Deluxe: XTR, SID, Avid mech discs, blah, blah... K2 Razorback SL: XT, Fox/Fox, Hayes hyd discs, blah, blah...
Bottom Line:
Waaaay to flexy for me...scary flexy. Even when big-ring sprinting, there is a very noticeable amount of upwards flex, that seems to take the 'snap' out of your acceleration. I only used these for a couple of rides, then moved these bars on over to my single-speed commuter bike (dubbed the "Franken-bike") that only sees pavement. I understand the properties of carbon, in that it can be designed with prescribed amounts of inherent flex, but I don't see how these bars will ever last without catastrophic failure. I'm giving a decent value rating only because I got these bars on sale...no way would I pay full price for them. I ended up going with the Easton Monkeylite, which costs a bit more, but is a much better bar in my opinion.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Ryan
a Cross Country Rider
from Adelaide, Australia Date Reviewed: December 27, 2004
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
greenfishsports.com
Strengths:
Looks, lightweight, strong for xc
Weaknesses:
not strong enough for large drops, dh, freeride
Similar Products Used:
titec hellbent
Bike Setup:
xt and xtr, stan's, mavic 717, thomson stem / bar, truvativ stylo team
Bottom Line:
This is a XC bar... read XC not downhill, freeride etc. If you take large drops, don't buy a carbon bar! If you ride xc and want something light, comfortable and looks bling bling, get one!
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Submitted by
Doug
a Downhiller
from San Diego, California Date Reviewed: November 2, 2004
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Bottom Line:
I bought this bar just the other day...mounted it today...and broke it today. What a waste of money. Don't think that you are going to save by not buying easton if it is in fact a carbon fiber bar that you want. Spend the little extra, it will actually save you in the long run.
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Submitted by
Gregg
a Racer
from Carson City, NV Date Reviewed: June 1, 2004
Favorite Trail:
Tahoe Rim Trail
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Price Paid:
$100.00
Purchased At:
Supergo.com
Strengths:
Very light
Weaknesses:
Flexy, defective
Similar Products Used:
Titec Hellraiser
Bike Setup:
K2 Razorback Team
Bottom Line:
I went against my better judgement in ordering this product over the Easton Monkeylite. This carbon bar is a bit heavier than the Easton so I thought it would make a great riser bar for racing with a bit more strength for the trails in Tahoe. Well, while 10 miles into the Rim Trail this weekend my bar snapped off at the shifter. Thanks to a buddy with an ultra small tire pump we were able to rig a solution for the ride out. Then I discovered that Answer's warranty is predicated on inspection unlike Easton's lifetime warranty. I got the serious runaround from the Answer tech support - of all the tech support groups from all of the companies from which I've purchased product (e.g., Cane Creek, K2, Marzocchi) I've never run into such poor tech support and commitment to good faith. I'll never purchase another Answer product for that reason alone and I hope others understand that when you pay a premium for a product that you expect premium customer support - I would have received better support from Huffy!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
clark lewis
a Weekend Warrior
from vancouver Date Reviewed: March 14, 2004
Favorite Trail:
north shore
Duration Product Used:
1 Year
Strengths:
light
Weaknesses:
not very stiff, apparently not very strong
Similar Products Used:
various aluminum bars
Bike Setup:
heckler with all the goods
Bottom Line:
this bar was transferred from my xc bike onto my new heckler frame. it was in great condition - no scratches. broke off at the shifter on a smooth 4 foot drop to fairly flat landing. would not happen with aluminum. obviously, don't freeride with carbon bars is the lesson here. it was great for xc, but my new raceface al bar is so much stiffer.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob
a Cross Country Rider
from DC area Date Reviewed: December 14, 2003
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Purchased At:
123 bikes
Strengths:
Super light
Weaknesses:
Couldn't have said it better, the product is weak.
Similar Products Used:
Kore lite, Easton Monkey lite, various cheap bars
Bike Setup:
Ventana Pantera, Fox Vanilla RLC, Thomson, XT, Race Face
Bottom Line:
I got lucky - the bar broke off just inside the brake/shifter as I mounted the bike. Could have been devastating if it happened while descending. I wouldn't expect a bar to fail with only 6 months of regular XC and lite FR. It is possible that I mounted the levers too tight, or there was a sharp edge that dug into the bar, who knows. Regardless, do you want a bar that you can't trust? I'll be going back to aluminum.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Sean
a Cross Country Rider
from NY, NY USA Date Reviewed: November 8, 2003
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$70.00
Purchased At:
123bikes
Strengths:
light, looks cool, strong, reduces vibrations, like the low-rise
Weaknesses:
maybe a tad wide but not enough to bother me...just different.
great carbon bar. would definitely buy another. cheaper than easton's, a bit lighter, and works perfectly fine.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
marcus75
a Weekend Warrior
from LA, CALI Date Reviewed: November 8, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Local Mountains
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$99.00
Purchased At:
Supergo
Strengths:
Light enough for a XC race and strong enough for a enduro, epic ride! Soaks up vibrations like a spong! Higher rise than other carbon handlebars. Cool Look!
Weaknesses:
None so far.
Similar Products Used:
Specialized Enduro Alloy.
Bike Setup:
Specialized enduro pro w/ time z pedals.
Bottom Line:
Bought this 2 weeks ago and only rode 2 epic rides through the local mountains. I wanted the Easton Carbon Monkeylites but the answer have a higher raise. The difference between these and the stocked handlebar I had on my bike is significant. Its strong and comfortable after a long ride. Through rough terrains, soaks up vibrations like a spong making it easy on my hands and arms. I don't even need the bar ends installed because this is soo comfortable (my preference was alway to have bar ends even w/ riser handlebars). This has a slightly longer lenght and has a higher rise than other carbon handlebars, this is the way I like it because its better for control and balance.
So far 5 on value because its slightly cheaper than other well known carbons and 5 for overall rating because I haven't found any problems.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
clark
a
from canada Date Reviewed: May 5, 2003
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
light, stiff, pretty
Weaknesses:
none
Similar Products Used:
easton monkeylite carbon
Bike Setup:
giant nrs air, full xtr, king, thompson, etc.
Bottom Line:
wicked handlebar! stiff, light as a feather, nice and wide, looks awesome. every bit as good as easton, and certainly more unique. if you're looking for a new low riser, this is it.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rob C
a Cross Country Rider
from Westminster, CA Date Reviewed: April 6, 2003
Favorite Trail:
Chutes
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$65.00
Purchased At:
123bikes
Strengths:
Very stiff for a carbon bar, and obviously lightweight. Good looks also.
Weaknesses:
A bit too wide, no end caps.
Similar Products Used:
LP composites carbon riser XC, flexes way more than the Protaper.
Bike Setup:
Foes FXR w/Curnutt Ti, XTR, King, Thomson etc.
Bottom Line:
Got a great price at 123bikes for the 1" rise carbon, at $65 you can't beat this bar. It's very stiff and still give you the vibration absorbtion so your hands are comfy. I love the looks of this bar. At first I was going to cut about an inch off of each end, but I've decided to leave it alone now. Look no further for a carbon riser bar.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
ben herbert
a Weekend Warrior
from sydney Date Reviewed: February 25, 2003
Favorite Trail:
great north walk
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$170.00
Purchased At:
chatswood cyclery northside
Strengths:
lose 100g without dieting
light, stiff and absorbs vibrations so my hands dont go numb
Weaknesses:
price, but I guess you get what you pay for sometimes
Similar Products Used:
Specialized 03 Alloy XC Low-Rise Handlebar and some other cheap and nasty riser bars
Bike Setup:
epic marathon, with 959 pedals and the carbon bars and excellent Oury grips
Bottom Line:
I was concerned about the long term strength of the bars, but they have stood up to a months worth of tri-weekly rides and a few spills.
I am really impressed by the vibration absorbing qualities. My hands used to get sore and numb during long rides, especially on road or flat easy trails. Didnt seem to matter what seat height I used or hand positions, even tried bar ends. With the carbon bars I dont have any problems with numb or sore hands. The Oury grips are excellent too, so I suggest changing to these when you get a new carbon bar.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
B Gray
a Cross Country Rider
from Pomona, NY Date Reviewed: September 3, 2002
Favorite Trail:
A bad day riding is still better then a good day at work!
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Purchased At:
Tarrytown Cycles
Strengths:
very light
Weaknesses:
they are wide
Similar Products Used:
icon straight bars
Bike Setup:
Trek STP 200 with XT everything
Bottom Line:
This is my first pair of riser bars, so I figured why not get the cream of the crop. It was great to get the extra weight of bar ends off the bike. I've only ridden with Answer Protaper bars one time, but loved them so much, I had to write a review! Hopefully I will NOT be changing my mind in the months to come. My only complaint is the width (I clipped one tree on my ride). They are a bit long (about 2 inches longer than my previous bars) but I will just have to get used to that. I would rather adapt to the bars than cut them.
Get out and treat yourself! They are well worth the money!!!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Gareth C
a Weekend Warrior
from Vancouver, BC, Canada Date Reviewed: August 29, 2002
Duration Product Used:
6 months
Price Paid:
$30.00
Purchased At:
employee deal
Strengths:
light weight, no flex, great high frequency damping (no worn out wrists)
Weaknesses:
the complexities of cutting carbon-fibre bars, nervousness stemming from worrying if you've clamped them too tight.
Similar Products Used:
Monkeybar lite, RaceFace airalloy, stock risers
Bike Setup:
Rocky Mountain Oxygen Race w/ not very many stock parts left!
Bottom Line:
These bars come wider than the Easton MonkeyLite Carbon bars. I only got these because they look quite different, and everyone else seemed to be buying Easton.
Had to cut them (almost an inch off each end) and they're doing fine. Answer-M doesn't recommend this but concedes that it is possible to do without comprimising the bars. As the review below states, use a fine bladed hacksaw, wrap the area to be cut in masking tape (to minimize fraying the fibers). As an Answer rep told me, the main danger in cutting laminated carbon fiber bars such as the ProTaper Carbon is that you are opening the weave to moisture penetration once you cut through the laminate. I took a risk and treated the area that was cut with a standard epoxy resin in order to "close the system" to moisture again. I personally haven't experienced any side effects (no obvious signs of the laminate or fibres "reacting" in any way with the epoxy) with this method, but do so at your own risk. I only paid $60 AUS for my bars so I didn't have as much to lose if things went awry.
The bars feel very, very stiff - as most carbon-fibre bars should contrary to popular belief. They absorb the high-frequency "chatter" type vibrations which I hated, and make for a smooth ride. Keep a close eye on how much you tighten your shifters/brakes, that's where most people overtighten and ruin their bars. It's good not to overtighten these parts anyway so that they will simply rotate in a crash.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Racer
from Tallahassee, FL Date Reviewed: March 2, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Bottom Line:
this is a follow up to my last post. I e-mailed answer tech support about it, and you CAN indeed cut these bars. use a super fine bladed hacksaw (32 tpi or higher) and spray with water while you are cutting so they don't get hot. i whacked an inch off each side, and i like the ride much more.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Denis Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore Date Reviewed: February 26, 2002
Duration Product Used:
3 months
Price Paid:
$60.00
Purchased At:
Ordered online
Strengths:
Dam light,absorbent to shocks,strong enough to do small drop offs
Weaknesses:
Can't be cut
Similar Products Used:
Azonic PDW,Easton monkeylite
Bike Setup:
Viper red Team Volvo/Cannondale F700,full XTR,Thompson post,Flite ti saddle,Time carbon pedals,Kore elite stem,Sunn ryhnolite rims on Michelin hots tires
Bottom Line:
If weight is an issue to u,the protaper carbon is the best xc handlebars which $ can buy,dam light and durable. CHEERS TO THE PEOPLE AT ANSWER FOR THEIR GREAT R&D!!!
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Albert
a Racer
from Barcelona - Spain Date Reviewed: February 26, 2002
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Strengths:
Light (150 gr) looks nice, strong
Weaknesses:
nothing
Similar Products Used:
Syncros
Bottom Line:
Great handlebar. very, very light .Great handlebar. very, very light .Great handlebar. very, very light
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
Submitted by
Rick
a Racer
from Tallahassee, FL Date Reviewed: February 13, 2002
Favorite Trail:
Razorback, Ocala FL
Duration Product Used:
Less than 1 month
Price Paid:
$52.00
Purchased At:
The Bike Depot, Sebastian, FL
Strengths:
LOW Weight, good vibration damping, good rise/bend AWESOME Aesthetics
Weaknesses:
can't mount bar ends or cut
Similar Products Used:
Titec Hellbent XC, Numerous flat bars
Bike Setup:
Hardtail, Sid SL, XTR
Bottom Line:
I like these bars because, being of BMX decent, I am partial to risers, but need light weight. These serve both purposes, and damp the vibration of chatter bumps and look cool to boot!! Time will tell if they pass the strength test.
Value Rating:Overall Rating:
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