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Easton
MonkeyLite SL Composite Riser Bar
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Average Rating
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4.08/5
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# of Reviews
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25
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MSRP
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$
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Weight
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Description:Length: 610mm (24")
Lo-Rise (0.75")
Proprietary MicroWeave fiber with Composite TaperWall Technology
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Submitted by
appgap
a Weekend Warrior
from Green Mtn State
Date Reviewed: June 16, 2008 | | Favoriate Trail: | my woods | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | Wheel World | | Strengths: | SUPER light. Great looking. | | Weaknesses: | None so far | | Similar Products Used: | Ritchey Comp | | Bike Setup: | Motobecane fantom trail | | Bottom Line: | Took 155 gm off my bike with this handlebar. Great price. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DEAGO
a Cross Country Rider
from Brooklyn n.y.
Date Reviewed: April 29, 2008 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$99.00 | | Purchased At: | Pricepoint | | Strengths: | Light & affordable compared to other brands.
(Mine is the 08 model though) | | Weaknesses: | none. | | Similar Products Used: | Easton,Fsa,High Zoot | | Bike Setup: | Jamis Dakar Xc Expert | | Bottom Line: | I'm up in the weight dept. at 224,& this bar has not made me nervous one bit,excellent quality. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike Sims
a Cross Country Rider
from Mesa, AZ. USA
Date Reviewed: June 13, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Red Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | Mike's Bike Chalet | | Strengths: | Super Light Weight. Very Strong. Excellent Durability. | | Weaknesses: | None really. A bit pricey but worth every penny. | | Bike Setup: | Carbon NRS with full XTR. Sun Ringle Black Flags. | | Bottom Line: | I weight 200 lbs and ride hard. I have used these bars for 3 years with no issue. Minimum flex while pounding, but the flex you do feel is predictable and makes for a smooth, vibration less ride. Every piece on my bike is is a hand picked, well reserched high end piece and this is one of my favorite pieces. Go to Mike's Bike Chalet in Mesa! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Charlie Meienberg
a Cross Country Rider
from Houston, Texas
Date Reviewed: March 21, 2007 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bluff Creek Ranch | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Incredibly light. Looks cool. | | Weaknesses: | Expensive, but then again, it is incredibly LIGHT. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager Crowbar | | Bike Setup: | Cobia 29er with upgraded everything. | | Bottom Line: | It's hard to believe something this light won't snap in your hands, but it doesn't. I'm 185 pounds and really pull on the bars when climbing or lifting the front wheel and the bar has been rock solid. I guess I noticed some vibration dampening when I first put it on, but letting the air out of my tires does a lot more good in that area. This is a really nice upgrade if you're running aluminum bars. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Christof
a Weekend Warrior
from Cupertino, CA
Date Reviewed: February 18, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$135.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bikes | | Strengths: | Lightweight, right width for me, e.g. 63 cm is right while 66 cm is too wide. | | Weaknesses: | Diameter along grips is slightly large than normal for 2007 model. As such Ergon grips don't seem to fit. Maybe this was done to avoid people installing endbars since that is not recommended anyway. Expensive,not as still as heavier carbon bars | | Bottom Line: | The lightest riser bar money can buy. As long as you can live with the restricutions of no bar ends and also problems with some grips it is one of the best bars available. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tucky Castaños
a Weekend Warrior
from Hermosillo, SOn. mex
Date Reviewed: July 28, 2006 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$90.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Light, Cool sexy looks. | | Weaknesses: | Easton say not to put bar ends, I was used to bar ends, but decide no to put'em anymore. don't know if it is a weakness I don't even miss them! | | Similar Products Used: | diferent kore aluminum race tuned | | Bike Setup: | Superlight,BB7 DiscBrakes, Mavic Crossland wheelset,Velociraptor 26 x 2.0 tires, race face evolve crankset, shimano LX drivetrain. manitou minute 1:00 fork | | Bottom Line: | some people complaint about the lack of the corabon fibre pattern, but this is not carbon fibre per se, it have some extra compund, it is superlight and being a 190 Lbs rider I was concern about durability, the moment I got it in my hand I was like so crazy light it won't hold. I took a pretty nasty fall a couple of months ago walking out with an acromioclavicular luxation, one of the grip was all thorn due to impact, and the handlebar still fine. Easton rocks this handlebar is the best I have had so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jason
a Weekend Warrior
from Ventura Co, CA
Date Reviewed: December 29, 2005 | | Favoriate Trail: | Any | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Feather Light, strong, controllable. | | Weaknesses: | A little flexible. Thin material. That's how they save weight. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager | | Bike Setup: | Upgraded Trek 6000 with Mavic Crossmax, Marzocchi Marathon S fork, Sram X.0 twisties and rear der., xt front der. and 05' xt crankset. | | Bottom Line: | These things cracked when tryin to lightly apply bar ends. I knew the material was cracked but was informed that using loctite and just a little bit of boly tightening would make it work. To my misfortune they cracked. Easton wouldn't replace them. (understandable) They're super light and have held up usage with lock on grips even with the cracked end. I know it's risky but i have'nt had any problems. They do flex a little which is good and bad depending on how you see it. Good so it absorbs bumps. Bad because it can drain some well needed energy when riding. I'll take the good over the bad. Overall despite the issues i've had the handlebars are good to go. I would recomend them. I wouldnt use bar ends that's for sure. I just got a set of the xc version and the ends are thicker and are an inch longer so they can accept bar ends. Ride On! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
shiny_car
a Cross Country Rider
from Australia
Date Reviewed: October 12, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$86.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay + shipping | | Strengths: | extremely light; nice dimensions if you want a riser bar | | Weaknesses: | boring matt black finish with no carbon fibre weave; won't officially accept bar-ends | | Similar Products Used: | Easton EA50 flat, EC70 flat; Titec C3; Giant CF flat | | Bike Setup: | Giant Yukon | | Bottom Line: | I bought these as an upgrade for my gf's Giant Yukon; extremely light they almost float away! Hopefully they are strong enough, but should be for the light XC riding they will be used for; don't officially accept bar-ends which is a major bummer, although reports of people doing so without probs; would be nice if it cosmetically featured a carbon fibre weave as they otherwise look very boring | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Single Speeder
a Weekend Warrior
from Ohio
Date Reviewed: September 27, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Jenson | | Strengths: | Light, looks good | | Weaknesses: | Mine broke. I think the handlebar was weak. | | Similar Products Used: | Azonic Carbon fiber riser bar on my 27 speed. | | Bike Setup: | Cannondale 1FG with some cool stuff. | | Bottom Line: | I used this bar for about 25 rides and the handlebar shattered on me at Idlewild in Northern, KY. I had a great ride, and was doing the Intermediate loop with two other friends just to warm down. I went off MAYBE a 1 ft. jump, and when I came down my right hand snapped the bar in two. I weigh 195, and it broke not by hitting the ground, but by my body weight pushing on it, before everything hit ground zero. It could have been worse, as I fell just to the left side of the bike, avoiding the broken bar altogether. Anyone else ever heard carbon fiber breaking? I won't buy an SL again. Be extremely cautious, as I was not on this purchase. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
HTail
a Cross Country Rider
from SF Bay Area
Date Reviewed: August 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$145.00 | | Strengths: | Super light, nice bend and good vibe dampening. | | Weaknesses: | None so far. | | Similar Products Used: | Answer Hyperlite, Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Truth & Stumpjumper HT | | Bottom Line: | I love my first one so much I just bought a second one for my Stumpjumper hardtail. Wow what an improvement over a flat aluminum bar & bar ends. With the extra width and nice bend angle, no more bar ends. I get more vibe dampening, better control & more climbing comfort.
The key here is to not use it for what it wasn't meant for. I still think it's pretty damn robust, but then again I'm not much for air time and drop offs. For basic XC riding and trail riding, it kicks butt! Don't over tighten the levers and shifter pods, not need to. Also recommend ODI lock on grips for a lot of good reasons. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Brian
a Weekend Warrior
from Cedar Hill, Texas
Date Reviewed: August 7, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | Boulder | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Richardson Bikemart | | Strengths: | Very light. Excellent vibration damping. Good ergonomics. Looks cool. | | Weaknesses: | It can scratch if you are not careful mounting your controls. I didn't have any problem when I took my time. My bars have no visible blemishes after a year of regular use. | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager, Canondale. | | Bike Setup: | '03 Fuel 98 with full '03 XTR and Avid SD ultimate brakes. | | Bottom Line: | I really like this bar. I ride hard, but I don't huck. I do a lot of technical singletrack with rocky climbs and descents. I have crshed it hard plenty of times. It hasn't broken yet. No crimps, no scratches. If I break it I will replace it with another one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
K Picha
a Cross Country Rider
from NoVA
Date Reviewed: May 5, 2004 | | Favoriate Trail: | WakeTink/Schaeffer | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$104.00 | | Purchased At: | The Bike Lane | | Strengths: | Excellent vibration damping, Light | | Weaknesses: | Too expensive-if I hadn't been swapping parts on a new bike I wouldn't have bought it and it was the only handlebar with a rise that the shop had in stock at the time.
The bar also scratches easily compared to aluminum bars but it doesn't bother me.
It would be nice if it came in a 1.5" rise | | Similar Products Used: | Titec, Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Turner XCE with lots of good stuff. | | Bottom Line: | I've been very pleased with this handlebar and the vibration damping is really noticable compared to aluminum bars. I don't know how it would compare to the other EC products but they are soooo overpriced that I will probably try out a Maxm for my next bar. I'm definitely sticking with carbon, though. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Wilmot Wi USA
Date Reviewed: February 14, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$130.00 | | Purchased At: | Local shop | | Strengths: | This bar has proven to be amazing. Its ability to take some of the vibration out of riding is great. Since I got this bar my hands don’t feel as tired on long rides. | | Weaknesses: | Price | | Similar Products Used: | Titec Hell bent. Most others on the market. | | Bike Setup: | Totally modified Schwinn Moab 1. | | Bottom Line: | I’ve had this bar for over a year. I’ve taken some gnarly ass falls and the only thing that has happened so far are some small scratches that’s it no breakage or cracks. This is not a weak bar and no they don’t feel fragile but this is also not a DH handlebar it’s not meant for super tuff stuff, it’s light, strong, and reliable. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
JD
a Weekend Warrior
from Dallas
Date Reviewed: November 1, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$135.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Weight and feel | | Weaknesses: | Scratches easy | | Bike Setup: | 03 Rockhopper, Avid 203mm Discs, Avid Ti levers | | Bottom Line: | Great bar that has a very good feel. The biggest fear is if they will hold up to the abuse. So far so good. Now I don't think twice about how fragile the bars seem. I weigh 220lbs and put a lot of pressure on the bars. After a month of riding I slammed into a tree and twisted the brake lever up. The bars were fine!
I think the biggest issue is to read the installation directions and use a torque wrench!!!!!!!
If you don't own a torque wrench have your LBS install the bars.
These bars are very expensive and ultra light. They saved me some weight and cut down on vibration. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
HTail
a
from SF Bay area
Date Reviewed: August 12, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | Weight, size, shape and profile. Stiff. | | Weaknesses: | Scratchy easy. | | Similar Products Used: | Answer Hyperlights, Specialized | | Bike Setup: | Truth/F100X/MavicSL/XTR | | Bottom Line: | The bars are still new but pleasantly surprised on the comfort and ridgidity. I've been using an aluminum flat bar up to now, this was definitely a nice upgrade. I like how the carbon elimates the higher frequency vib/feedback you get with metal bars. The low rise and sweep makes for good control on technical rides. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Somxay
a Racer
from Philadelphia
Date Reviewed: July 2, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | Ebay | | Strengths: | light wieghtand strong | | Weaknesses: | Scratches so easily and so expensive. | | Similar Products Used: | Monkeylite CT2 and XC | | Bike Setup: | RM Vertex team SC, full XTR, Crossmax UST, Sid Race fork, sub 21 LB race bike. | | Bottom Line: | I had 2 of these bars. One I bought from a friend with so many scrathes so I bought a new one for $115 UPS next day delivery online. This is a strong and light post. But it scrathces so easily and it shows. Be very carefull not to overtight and install. This bar is very fragile like a baby and need attention. I have used Monkeylite risers on all my bike from XC to CT2 riser. I never had a problem with them and don't see any problem with the SL. I'll give it 4 out of 5 because it scracthes easily, rather than that it's a great handlebar. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
a sucker
a Cross Country Rider
from NY
Date Reviewed: May 8, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$120.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | It's Light. | | Weaknesses: | Maybe too light, fragile, and under-engineered. (sorry Easton)
Makes you paranoid. | | Similar Products Used: | Titec Hell Bent, EA70, Scandium Riser, Easton Composite XC amongst others. | | Bike Setup: | Much better now | | Bottom Line: | I was not happy when these bars let go on me. I feel they are very fragile. Stick with the thicker-walled models. Saving weight is great. But strength should be the most important factor. Paranoia sets in when you bolt your levers and shifters on. You'll see what I mean. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
DaoYong
a Cross Country Rider
from Singapore
Date Reviewed: April 24, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Super Light, Looks Good and alot STRONGER !!!!! | | Weaknesses: | Price and Scraches | | Similar Products Used: | Easton CT2 flat bar | | Bike Setup: | 01' Specialized StumpJumper M4 | | Bottom Line: | It for people who wants a stronger and lighter riser bar.
And check for scraches when you buy it !!!!
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Cross Country Rider
from Duluth, Ga.
Date Reviewed: April 6, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | Bull Mountain | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$81.00 | | Purchased At: | EBAY | | Strengths: | Super light | | Weaknesses: | Too expensive at retail | | Similar Products Used: | Bontrager, Coda | | Bike Setup: | Klein Attitude Race, XT/XTR, Cane Creek, Manitou, Time | | Bottom Line: | Only one ride with this bar so far. Not for your average huckster. I ride hard and fast, but smooth, and try to keep both wheels on the ground most of the time. Got a great deal on EBAY so I couldnt resist. Probably would have gone with the 70 if I read the reviews here first. Im 175 lbs but try to keep my weight on the seat and pedals, that should help. Go with the 70 (thicker walls) if you're a heavy banger. But if you keep your weight on the pedals and seat, and off the handlebar, this is an awesome bar. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
eric czaja
a Racer
from nh
Date Reviewed: January 31, 2003 | | Favoriate Trail: | bloodyfinger | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$129.00 | | Purchased At: | pricepoint | | Strengths: | stiff | | Weaknesses: | finish | | Similar Products Used: | ct2carbon | | Bike Setup: | litespeed | | Bottom Line: | great bar!!!!! use torq wrench to specs.i am 145lbs light rider.if your a hammer head do not buy extreme light bars.most hammerheads break even the thick stuff. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Peter
a Cross Country Rider
from Holland
Date Reviewed: December 28, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Schoorl | | Duration Product Used: | 1 Year | | Price Paid: |
$155.00 | | Purchased At: | lbs | | Strengths: | Light, looks | | Weaknesses: | price and the finish is easy to scratch | | Similar Products Used: | bontrager and ritchy | | Bike Setup: | klein adept,thomson xtr tune | | Bottom Line: | I use this bar for xc riding only The handlebar does absorb vibrations and is nice looking | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from Golden, CO
Date Reviewed: November 11, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Apex | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Price Paid: |
$100.00 | | Purchased At: | ebay | | Strengths: | Extremely light, vibration dampening | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bike Setup: | Titus Racer-X, Marzocchi MXC-ECC, Hayes disc brakes | | Bottom Line: | This bar is extremely light. The vibration dampening on this bar is awesome. My arms are a lot less tired on long downhills since I bought this bar. So far I've put a couple hundred miles on this bar in the Denver area, Fruita and Moab and no problems with the bar snapping. Just need to be careful when installing and make sure not to overtighten the stem bolts. A little expensive but well worth it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Fischer Trail | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Strengths: | its still light | | Weaknesses: | um, weakness | | Similar Products Used: | bonti crowbar, EA50, buncha other stuff | | Bike Setup: | see below | | Bottom Line: | Well, I'm back, and nervous. From quite a bit of indirect experience, I have discovered that this bar is exceptionally prone to crimping, scoring, and as a result breaking. Mine's still on my bike simply because its too expensive not to ride, but as soon as i can I'm getting a light alu bar. For us poor saps who bought the thing, apparently triflow polishes out the inevitable finish scratches. A hail mary before riding might help some of the more serious flaws. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Adrian
a Racer
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: August 3, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | McKenzie River | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | From a bud | | Strengths: | Super light, looks pretty cool, and you can relish in the unprecidented weight savings | | Weaknesses: | SNAP! We'll see if they warranty it... | | Similar Products Used: | Profile, Azonic, Bonti, Easton, cheapo generic | | Bike Setup: | Bianchi BASS w/ Thompson, King, Spot, TIME, Psylo, Truvativ, Mutano Raptors | | Bottom Line: | I rode this bar for less than a week before it snapped in half. I rode about 200 offroad miles in that time including 100 of racing, but it was all XC and no big drops (no drops at all, actually). I took special care not to overtighten my levers or stem, and my levers were loose enough in fact that they could move in the event of a crash. Even still, the bar had some scoring after installation. Coming out from a ride at Moab, about 10ft from the trailhead, the bar snapped in a compression about an inch inward from the lever mount. There was no cosmetic damage where it snapped, and no warning. Yes, I fell. Yes, I'm pissed. Who the hell do Easton think they are making a $130+ bar that snaps after a week of riding? I understand that it is a product designed specifically for weight savings and not strength, but it clearly did not go through enough R&D before release and that is an unacceptable oversite on Easton's part. I took the bar into a shop where we all agreed that Easton probably won't give a full refund because there is evidence of crimping where the levers were, but WHAT THE HELL- if the bars crimp and snap without the levers even being tight enough not to budge, that is a manufacturing error. These are some seriously shady bars, and I would never recommend them to anyone. I haven't had bad luck with Easton stuff in the past, but the fact that they would put a product out that is this bad makes me question the company as a whole. You would think the industry would learn something after the horrible failure of all the Deda Newton stuff, and I guess it's my own fault for trusting a first-generation pruduct. Whatever you do, do NOT buy this bar until more R&D has been done. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Joe
a Cross Country Rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: July 26, 2002 | | Favoriate Trail: | Chubb | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$110.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | LIGHT! This thing is ridiculous. The box it came in weighs more than it does. Great aesthetically, with a nice weave pattern. So far, reliable and sturdy. | | Weaknesses: | The finish is way too easy to scratch and score (my xt levers leave nasty white grooves wherever they are installed, though it could be burrs on the lever clamps). I'm not a stickler for superficial damage, but I'm a bit anal because the bar costs so much, and I'm concerned the scoring will weaken or damage the carbon fiber. | | Similar Products Used: | Easton EA70 flat bar, Bonti Crowbar, generic flats & risers | | Bike Setup: | Landshark Dirtshark custom steel, Paul SS dropouts, Phil KISS off hubs laced w/ Bonti Mustang Tubeless rims, Thompson sp/stem, Race Face turbines w/spot ring/gaurd, Avid Ti brakes w/ xt levers | | Bottom Line: | This thing is sicko light. Baby it, and you'll love it (at least when you're looking at a scale). | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
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