Anyone running cheap Chinese bars?
Chinese carbon bars?
Hbnel5on
1 - 12 of 12 Posts
The consensus seems to be that they're a roll of the dice to save a little money for a fairly big risk. I would take the risk with Performance/Nashbar or even those from Discobrakes, but the really unknown and cheap stuff is too scary for me. A big crash at speed can really F you up.
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24,227 Posts
I agree, known companies (Enve etc.) have a reputation to uphold or lose and hopefully will build their product accordingly, no name Chinese knock offs don't have any skin in the game and therefore nothing to lose. Not worth it to me.
yup, knocked out, broken ribs from a most likely counterfeit ritchey bars from ebay that broke at high speed. Don't do it.
Joined
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174 Posts
I tried out generic (non-counterfit) carbon bars purchased on eBay from a seller from China.
Unboxing eBay generic carbon handlebars
Update on generic carbon fiber handlebars from China, purchased on eBay. They cracked.
The short of it is; they arrived from China fine. But without any documentation or specs. Installed with conservative torque, but no carbon paste. In 15 hours of use (mostly gravel roads, but some XC singletrack rides, practice race) they buckled/cracked at the stem.
I was able to get a refund, and purchased a much heavier aluminum bar, that I trust much more.
My advice is if you get some, do not expect them to last long. If you do jumps, drops, and superfast DH riding, I wouldn't even risk it. For XC riding you probably wont get 'very' hurt if they fail like mine did. But you wouldn't want them to give out when landing a big drop. You might loose some teeth or worse.
Unboxing eBay generic carbon handlebars
Update on generic carbon fiber handlebars from China, purchased on eBay. They cracked.
The short of it is; they arrived from China fine. But without any documentation or specs. Installed with conservative torque, but no carbon paste. In 15 hours of use (mostly gravel roads, but some XC singletrack rides, practice race) they buckled/cracked at the stem.
I was able to get a refund, and purchased a much heavier aluminum bar, that I trust much more.
My advice is if you get some, do not expect them to last long. If you do jumps, drops, and superfast DH riding, I wouldn't even risk it. For XC riding you probably wont get 'very' hurt if they fail like mine did. But you wouldn't want them to give out when landing a big drop. You might loose some teeth or worse.
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751 Posts
I've decided, after buying several and using without incidents, to stop using noname/replica/copy handlebars. The reason is the apparent lack of quality control. Some of the bars I've bought were so out of spec that the brakes and shifters wouldn't even fit over the bar ends. The bar wasn't even close to round. Then just imagine the inside of the bar...even with a perfect outside. So for me the risk is just too great with handlebars if they snap and cause a face plant. But I'll keep using copy carbon seat posts.
I weigh 250lbs and i am going on year 3 with a set of carbon riser bars from a Chinese manufacturer. I am running them on a ridged carbon fat bike that is also from the same company. I think that there is a huge difference between knock-off/counterfeit, unbranded and non-name brand. my bars are non-name brand but they have a brand. therefor i feel they have something to loose. counterfeit is the most dangerous.
just my $.02
just my $.02
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856 Posts
I've run them but definately look at them carefully at the beginning of every year. I try to follow a brand called hylix with posts and bars. My advice is to replace often (like 1-2 years on a bar...they're so cheap it does not matter) and follow a brand/seller. I try to assure that i'm not getting it from a distributor/reseller but straight from the factory. Also i weigh all of mine and if they come out too light i've returned them (ie don't go weight weeny on an unknown brand).
It's sketchy and i think about my cockpit everytime i ride.
It's sketchy and i think about my cockpit everytime i ride.
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