Carbon bars

Fletch 1 · Feb 28, 2011

I'm sorry if this has been covered somewhere already, but a search didn't really uncover it if it had. I was thinking of putting wider bars on my Epic and thought I may upgrade to carbon at the same time?? Is there an advantage other than weight and I assume the stem would need to be replaced at the same time? Pro's or Con's? Thanks

PB Matrix · Feb 28, 2011

Specialized has the 680mm S-works handlebars again @$120.00 each. Your current stem should fit. You will notice less hand fatique caused by vibration.

dirtrider7 · Feb 28, 2011

I have Easton's new riser EC-70 for 2011 in 685mm length. If you shop around you can find it for 100 bux or so. I haven't ridden it enough to give you a good review but I would say if you wallet will support it, carbon is the way to go....stiff, light and with the best vibration damping...what we all want off road...or on for that matter. The thing that's important is your fit on the bike. Rise, backsweep, upsweep and overall length matter quite a bit in comfort and control and your weight distribution on the bike.

thomllama · Feb 28, 2011

I got an Easton monkeylight a yr or so back, they were on wicked sale for $50 so I thought I'd try. Probably never go back to alum bars. they really do absorb the smaller vibrations that the fork and such can't. Really does help with hand relief.

if you have a 25. stem they still have some at pricepoint I believe...?

and you can use a standard stem, just be very careful with torque specs on the bolts or you could crack/crush it

bloo · Feb 28, 2011

just purchased a Crank Bros Cobalt 11 carbon riser bar as my first venture into carbon, it's at 680mm length with 15mm rise and a 6 degree sweep. The whole reason I pulled the trigger is I couldn't pass up on a great deal, $80 at BikeBling.

couldn't find that many useful reviews on it so we'll see how that goes.

xjbaylor · Feb 28, 2011

Easton just released a new wide flat carbon bar, the EC70 Wide at only $100. It is 685mm, and I believe, 9* sweep. I don't think there is a better deal out there right now, unless you find something on sale that works for you.

I have the EC70 Wide, it is very nice, and extremely light.

randyharris · Feb 28, 2011

I recently bought a 2011 Easton Haven Carbon and am very happy with it. 711mm wide, 170 grams, it feels great on my rigid ride.

Fletch 1 · Feb 28, 2011

Awesome! Thanks guys!

I figured there were other benefits other than weight savings but I just wasn't sure what they were. Time to start shopping........ My wife will be so pleased!

jay29er · Mar 1, 2011

Niner has some pretty sweet flat carbon bars out. I purchased one for my Lynskey build. I'll let you know the results in two weeks!!

Mojo Troll · Mar 1, 2011

If this is your first venture into carbon bars. Pick up a clearanced set and save some money. Easton is notorious about fire sales. Also reputable. No need in springing for top of the line bars when learning.

ESI grips is also a cheap, nice upgrade.

bloo · Mar 1, 2011

Mojo Troll said:
If this is your first venture into carbon bars. Pick up a clearanced set and save some money. Easton is notorious about fire sales. Also reputable. No need in springing for top of the line bars when learning.

ESI grips is also a cheap, nice upgrade.

yep, this is why i pointed out the Crank Bros Cobalt 11 @ $80 on my previous post. still waiting for them to ship from BikeBling

I agree, ESI grips are AWESOME!

BeerCan · Mar 2, 2011

The Salsa Pro Moto carbon is a great bar also. It comes in a bunch of different configurations and has a great reputation. It is also reasonably priced (comparatively) I have one and love it.

Jim Nasium · Mar 2, 2011

Does anyone have a review of the Niner Flattop Carbon handlebar?
I'm really close to pulling the trigger, but I can't find any thorough reviews. It seems like the C5 warranty justifies the cost.

ebineezer · Mar 2, 2011

I have a few pairs of truvative carbon bars and have no complaints

dubdryver · Mar 2, 2011

ESI grips are great, but if you encounter tight tree splitting be prepared to lose chunks of grips out of the edges. They are not very durable. I prefer Ergon GX-1s. With carbon bars, they really reduce hand fatigue significantly more since you don't have to grip the bar as much. They also provide a decent platform so you don't have to get bar ends, and ofcourse they make models with bar ends. Just FYI though, if you are considering Ergons and Carbon bars, you may need to take some sandpaper and a very small amount of petroleum jelly and rough the clamping area up a little bit. Lock-on grips and glossy carbon don't grip each other that great. Carbon paste may help as well.

JMac47 · Mar 3, 2011

Might be some ideers here.

Jim Nasium said:
Does anyone have a review of the Niner Flattop Carbon handlebar?
I'm really close to pulling the trigger, but I can't find any thorough reviews. It seems like the C5 warranty justifies the cost.

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=680080&highlight=Niner+carbon+flat+bars

IronXterra12 · Mar 3, 2011

Anyone have any reccomendations on carbon bars that can take bar ends? All the bars I'm interested in do not recc. bar ends.

MrRogers1935 · Mar 3, 2011

I run FSA K-Force bars and love them.

RE: Bar ends. Get a set of the Ergon expanding plugs and you should be ok with most bars. I doubt any manufacturer will give you the go ahead but I know of many who run this setup and none have had any problems.

MrR

glader60 · Mar 3, 2011

easton and barends

Easton gives instructions for barends with their carbon bars. They have internal reinforcements at the ends. I highly recommend the Argon grip/barend combo, very comfy.

IronXterra12 · Mar 3, 2011

Mr. Rogers, thanks for the info.

For the OP, have you thought about what sweep you want to run? That may help you narrow down your choices.

Carbon bars

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