Answer Pro Taper Reviews

Answer Pro Taper

Average Rating			4.62/5
# of Reviews			42
MSRP			$ 70.00
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Answer Pro Taper

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		JensonUSA
		Greenfish
		Cambria Bicycle Outfitters
		Chain Reaction Cycles
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Submitted by alex a Cross Country Rider from santa monica, CA, USA Date Reviewed: 2/16/2008 8:47:21 PM
FavoriteTrail:	cherokee national forrest
Duration Product Used:	More than 3 years
Price Paid:	$50
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 Tried:	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.
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Submitted by chris a Weekend Warrior from concord, ma, usa Date Reviewed: 7/6/2007 8:09:41 AM
FavoriteTrail:	great glen, nh
Duration Product Used:	3 months
Price Paid:	$47
Purchased At:	jensonusa.com
Strengths:	looks, stength, stability due to wideness
Weaknesses:	some cool logos get covered up by grips
Similar Products Tried:	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..................
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Submitted by Gungadin a Weekend Warrior from Nevada Date Reviewed: 10/29/2006 10:05:15 AM
Duration Product Used:	3 months
Price Paid:	$70
Strengths:	Rigid, Looks Very Cool, Huge leverage advantage with 27" bars.
Weaknesses:	None
Similar Products Tried:	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.
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Submitted by Morgan Fleming from Apex, NC USA Date Reviewed: 12/31/2005 1:58:05 PM
FavoriteTrail:	Lake Crabtree
Duration Product Used:	Less than 1 month
Price Paid:	$35
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 Tried:	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.
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Submitted by Michael a Downhiller from Toronto Date Reviewed: 12/10/2005 3:13:35 PM
FavoriteTrail:	Highway- Blue Mountain
Duration Product Used:	1 Year
Price Paid:	$25
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 Tried:	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.
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Submitted by David from pinhole Date Reviewed: 9/26/2005 11:42:30 AM
FavoriteTrail:	Downieville, Oathill Mine
Duration Product Used:	2 Years
Purchased At:	Sunshine Bike, Fairfax Ca.
Strengths:	Xcelent bend, strong, light.
Similar Products Tried:	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.
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Submitted by Kris a Weekend Warrior from Wyoming, USA Date Reviewed: 7/20/2005 2:51:16 PM
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 Tried:	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.
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Submitted by Fernando Marcos a Weekend Warrior from Algarve, Portugal Date Reviewed: 4/10/2005 7:15:40 PM
FavoriteTrail:	Sintra
Duration Product Used:	3 months
Price Paid:	$100
Purchased At:	A local store
Strengths:	Good looks, weight, geometry
Weaknesses:	That's the point, too weak for a dh riser bar
Similar Products Tried:	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.
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Submitted by chuck brand a Cross Country Rider from Fairmont WV Date Reviewed: 2/10/2004 11:07:09 AM
Duration Product Used:	Less than 1 month
Price Paid:	$60
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 Tried:	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
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Submitted by steve pete a Downhiller from U.K Date Reviewed: 11/28/2003 4:56:07 AM
FavoriteTrail:	Any thing big
Duration Product Used:	Less than 1 month
Price Paid:	$65
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 Tried:	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!!
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Submitted by Dave a Cross Country Rider from Sunnyvale, CA, USA Date Reviewed: 7/21/2003 11:44:24 AM
Duration Product Used:	3 months
Price Paid:	$45
Purchased At:	on-line
Strengths:	Seems to be strong and well manufactured
Weaknesses:	none
Similar Products Tried:	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.
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Submitted by Seth a Cross Country Rider from Washington DC Date Reviewed: 7/16/2003 8:25:35 PM
FavoriteTrail:	Robert E Lee Memorial Park
Duration Product Used:	3 months
Price Paid:	$45
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 Tried:	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.
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Submitted by Jeff a Cross Country Rider from Centennial,CO,USA Date Reviewed: 3/23/2003 12:18:13 PM
FavoriteTrail:	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 Tried:	Ritchey Forcelite, Spec flatbar, Bontrager Crowbar
Bike Setup:	Magical Specialized M2
Bottom Line:	Buy it best bar for the money!
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Submitted by Brian a Weekend Warrior from Iowa Date Reviewed: 1/19/2003 8:56:59 AM
Duration Product Used:	3 months
Price Paid:	$40
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 Tried:	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.
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Submitted by Hadrian a Downhiller from Newtown, CT Date Reviewed: 1/11/2003 5:09:53 PM
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 $.
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Submitted by Robert Fish a Weekend Warrior from Simi Valley, Ca. USA Date Reviewed: 11/8/2002 11:15:05 AM
FavoriteTrail:	Cheeseboro
Duration Product Used:	More than 3 years
Price Paid:	$64
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 Tried:	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.
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Submitted by Aaron a Cross Country Rider from Austin, TX Date Reviewed: 8/10/2002 9:35:09 PM
Duration Product Used:	3 months
Price Paid:	$37
Purchased At:	online
Strengths:	I think the handlebar itself is a pretty damn big strength
Weaknesses:	not applicable
Similar Products Tried:	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.
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Submitted by Aaron from Singpore Date Reviewed: 5/14/2002 5:42:23 PM
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 Tried:	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 !!!
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Submitted by joel cote landry a Weekend Warrior from granby quebec canada Date Reviewed: 3/28/2002 6:24:49 AM
FavoriteTrail:	bomerang
Duration Product Used:	1 Year
Price Paid:	$50
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 Tried:	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 !!!!!!!!!
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Submitted by Bo Toichi a Weekend Warrior from Maui Date Reviewed: 3/8/2002 2:42:36 AM
FavoriteTrail:	to yo mamas house
Duration Product Used:	1 Year
Price Paid:	$60
Purchased At:	pricepoint
Strengths:	quality, durability, strength
Weaknesses:	none
Similar Products Tried:	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.
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Submitted by Alex a Cross Country Rider from CH, NC Date Reviewed: 2/28/2002 10:31:21 AM
Duration Product Used:	Less than 1 month
Price Paid:	$49
Purchased At:	Franklin street cycles
Strengths:	The bar is STRONG
Weaknesses:	I become overconfident and start to do stupid stuff
Similar Products Tried:	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.
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Submitted by John Burmeister from Cheboygan, Michigan, USA Date Reviewed: 2/23/2002 5:06:04 PM
FavoriteTrail:	Petoskey Convict Trail
Duration Product Used:	1 Year
Price Paid:	$70
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 Tried:	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
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Submitted by Silver23 a Weekend Warrior from Amsterdam Date Reviewed: 12/16/2001 12:53:24 AM
FavoriteTrail:	Lago di Garda in Italy
Duration Product Used:	6 months
Price Paid:	$60
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 Tried:	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!
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Submitted by Ross Lafontaine a Cross Country Rider from Bridgeport, WV