[gumby2]

Tried the riser option with some cheapies from nashbar and thought I was now ready for some carbon ones ( EC70) to put on the KM to ease some of the
vibration as I run it rigid SS.
I just read some of the reviews and was a little put off by stories of stress cracks and
installation issues. I am 180 pounds, green eyes, like long walks on the beach...... oops I digress. What are your experiences? Are they tough as nails and should I just get em or is there another option to ease the rigid ride?

Gumby

 

[drc]

I like my Maxm

in terms of the carbon taking some sting out of the KM fork. Mine happens to be a flat bar. The 5 degree bend leaves my hands prone to numbness on long rides and I'll probably pick up a Maxm riser bar. The backsweep is 7 degrees and I don't knoe if I'll find that as comfortable as the Titec 9 degree sweep on my Hellbent XC aluminum bar. In spite of the difference in the sweep I won't take off the carbon bar. Well-padded gloves alllow me to reposition my hands on the carbon bar to ease the wrist strain from the shallow bend angle.

 

[ozlongboarder]

gumby old mate

I had a easton mokey lite sl on my ventana for 2.5 years, crashes and collisions with trees and no problems. My rigid monkey has a Maxm 6 so far so good. I am getting a easton DH carbon bar for my turner. Its wider and stiffer again. Carbon is fine just dont over do the clamping pressure.

 

[Padre]

yadayadayada...
240lbs...
Easton Carbon DH for me.
Easton Carbon XC for my wife on her XC and SS bikes.
Riding all sets over 3 years with nary an issue...

 

[gumby2]

So it's better to go a DH over a XC bar?

Or at my relative light weight does it not matter? Jenson has the EC70 for $80.00 at the moment.
The Maxm is a good price, why no reviews on the mtbr product review site?? The construction sounds good but thet are not listed on a lot of the web retail sites.
Sorry for the hesitation but ever since snapping an axel and inbedding it in my calf I like to be sure of these things.

Gumby

 

[Walt]

Just get one of the generics...

The Nashbar/Supergo/Performance/Jenson/Pricepoint versions are pretty good now - about the same weight as the Easton stuff, and way cheap - I think you can get them for like $49. Carbon bars are great - lots stronger and more durable than aluminum.

I think the vibration damping properties are overstated - people seem to like complaining about "flexy" stems, but love it when their bars have "vibration damping". Sounds like a case of marketing hype to me - but carbon bars ARE light and strong. Worth having - you won't regret getting a set.

-Walt