Lots more choices in 31.8 than 35mm clamp bars. That would also mean getting a new 31.8 stem, but you can save significant weight there too. Not the cheapest approach - but probably the weight-weeniest. While you're changing the cockpit, don't forget about the grips. Going with foam grips can save you 50g+ compared to lock-ons.
Handle bars
I bought a Trance X 29, I know it will never be a light bike and that's ok since I also have a Niner RKT but I do want to knock off a couple of pounds on the Trance as I go. It has Giant Contact TR35, 780x35mm, 20mm rise Aluminum bars. Was think about getting the Race Face Next in a 35 mm rise. I already changed the seat. So, is that the best place to start? $179.00 is a little chunk. Tires will probably be next and then probably wheels.
Thanks!
Thanks!
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
I wanted a little more rise, so new bars sounded pretty good. Going to stay with original stem but will look into the grips. Thanks!
I would suggest OneUp carbon bar. Way more compliant and comfy than NEXT R's. I have ridden both and have the OneUp on my HT and ENVE on my FS. ENVE is another fine option. All are in the same price range.
If you get rid of one of the two bars then you’ll cut the weight in half!
I like the One Up bar.
I like the One Up bar.
The One Up's ride WAY better than the RF carbon bars but you will absolutely not notice any weight savings there.
Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk
Sent from my Pixel 4a (5G) using Tapatalk
Thank you all for your help. The one ups are out of stock and I've always liked the RF stuff but how much weight could I expect to drop going from the aluminum bars to the carbon?
Your current handlebars are actually pretty light for Al. Bike24 has them at 270 g. RaceFace specs the Next 35 at 180g but only 760mm and up to a 20mm rise. The Next R 35 is 800mm long and goes up to 35mm rise, but weighs 215g. Cutting it down to 780 would probably only save a few grams (probably <5). So I'd guess about 210g vs the 270 you currently have or 60g savings - or more like 90g if you go with the standard Next 35.
You’d only drop a little weight. Not enough to really notice.Thank you all for your help. The one ups are out of stock and I've always liked the RF stuff but how much weight could I expect to drop going from the aluminum bars to the carbon?
If you’re into gram shaving then tires and wheels are maybe the best place to spend your money. To lose “a couple of pounds” though might require replacing a lot of parts. 50g here, 50g there…
Are you sure you want to go down that road? It gets expensive and your performance might not improve any.
Look into Protaper Carbon bars. They are the lightest I've found.
use the filters use their scale shots. R2 bike always the first place to start as a guide for any WW endeavor. They try to weigh everything they get. MTB / mountain bike handlebars in great selection r2-bike.com
Funny stuff, BIGGER MOAR BETTERER!
Though bars don't just have stiffness in one plane. If you can use a 35mm clamp to improve fore/aft stiffness for better steering precision, then ovalise the section to help with up/down flex, that is a bonus IMO.
I'm using Mt Zoom bars at the moment. 750mm wide, 121g. I'm not heavy, but have given them a fair amount of abuse and they are holding up well. The key is in the manufacture process - not all carbon bars are created equal. The cheaper ones will be made in two halves and glued together lengthways, or have a high percentage of resin, bulked out with other crap you can't see, or have really thick ends because either whoever designed them doesn't understand load distribution very well or its just easier to make the bar a constant layup thickness.
Though bars don't just have stiffness in one plane. If you can use a 35mm clamp to improve fore/aft stiffness for better steering precision, then ovalise the section to help with up/down flex, that is a bonus IMO.
I'm using Mt Zoom bars at the moment. 750mm wide, 121g. I'm not heavy, but have given them a fair amount of abuse and they are holding up well. The key is in the manufacture process - not all carbon bars are created equal. The cheaper ones will be made in two halves and glued together lengthways, or have a high percentage of resin, bulked out with other crap you can't see, or have really thick ends because either whoever designed them doesn't understand load distribution very well or its just easier to make the bar a constant layup thickness.
I'm thinking about bars but not in a hurry. I've seen some stats that I think were miss-stated. Below are my notes, and I think I feel pretty confident about the bar weight but I can't remember what I saw that I felt confident about it enough to put into my notes, so I'd say continue checking yourself until you're confident. Also have a couple other bar options in my notes (forget the sale comment... it's old):
Handlebar - Giant Contact SL 780mm, 20mm rise 330g Rise=20mm, Sweep= 7 deg. -4g after cutting off 20mm (two 10mm parts totaled 4g)
(Newmen 31.8 bar is 760mm with 8-deg upsweep, 230g/190g. ProTaper 31.8= 190g on sale, 25mm rise)
These notes were concerning my '19 Trance Advanced Pro 2. (Not an 'X'.) I didn't weigh my bar myself, but if my notes are right, the stock bar is a boat-anchor!
EDIT- I'll throw in my notes on the stem also:
Stem - Giant Contact SL 35mm, 50mm length 164g (not confirmed myself)
(Anvl Swage 35mm stem has 5mm rise. Answer ProTaper ATAC 31.8 is 90g?, Wren 31.8 6-deg=74g T20
bolts- possible problems. Intend Grace 35m 50mm=90g)
Handlebar - Giant Contact SL 780mm, 20mm rise 330g Rise=20mm, Sweep= 7 deg. -4g after cutting off 20mm (two 10mm parts totaled 4g)
(Newmen 31.8 bar is 760mm with 8-deg upsweep, 230g/190g. ProTaper 31.8= 190g on sale, 25mm rise)
These notes were concerning my '19 Trance Advanced Pro 2. (Not an 'X'.) I didn't weigh my bar myself, but if my notes are right, the stock bar is a boat-anchor!
EDIT- I'll throw in my notes on the stem also:
Stem - Giant Contact SL 35mm, 50mm length 164g (not confirmed myself)
(Anvl Swage 35mm stem has 5mm rise. Answer ProTaper ATAC 31.8 is 90g?, Wren 31.8 6-deg=74g T20
bolts- possible problems. Intend Grace 35m 50mm=90g)
Alrighty, slight revive vs starting a new thread. Me 6’3” 190’ish lbs, bike ti hardtail 29’er, xc’ish - marathon type rides.
I built the bike a few weeks ago with a 20mm bars, 35.0 clamp and a 70mm stem.
I want to get the bars lower and a small bit out. Raceface makes a 80mm 35.0 clamp stem(not many options for that length in 35.0).
looking for recommendations for a good lightish carbon flat bar that is stiff… raceface makes one also, other options?? Something wide like 780’ish…willing to carry more weight for stiffer
pick two: light, strong, or cheap….i’ll take light and strong.
I built the bike a few weeks ago with a 20mm bars, 35.0 clamp and a 70mm stem.
I want to get the bars lower and a small bit out. Raceface makes a 80mm 35.0 clamp stem(not many options for that length in 35.0).
looking for recommendations for a good lightish carbon flat bar that is stiff… raceface makes one also, other options?? Something wide like 780’ish…willing to carry more weight for stiffer
pick two: light, strong, or cheap….i’ll take light and strong.
EnveAlrighty, slight revive vs starting a new thread. Me 6’3” 190’ish lbs, bike ti hardtail 29’er, xc’ish - marathon type rides.
I built the bike a few weeks ago with a 20mm bars, 35.0 clamp and a 70mm stem.
I want to get the bars lower and a small bit out. Raceface makes a 80mm 35.0 clamp stem(not many options for that length in 35.0).
looking for recommendations for a good lightish carbon flat bar that is stiff… raceface makes one also, other options?? Something wide like 780’ish…willing to carry more weight for stiffer
pick two: light, strong, or cheap….i’ll take light and strong.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If you want to knock a few grams off, get an integrated stem/bar like the Syncros stuff. I wanted width and a little extra beef, but even my "enduro" Hixon SL at 780mm is 5g lighter than my Race Face Next SL carbon handlebar and a 95g stem.
Looks to me the only 780 bars they have in their integrates stem/bar is the Hixon ic sl and that tops out at 60mm stem. They make the fraser ic sl dc in a 760 with a 80 stem. I could deal with that width, but wonder is that designed to work specifically with the Spark frame only or any 1 1/8” steer?If you want to knock a few grams off, get an integrated stem/bar like the Syncros stuff. I wanted width and a little extra beef, but even my "enduro" Hixon SL at 780mm is 5g lighter than my Race Face Next SL carbon handlebar and a 95g stem.
I went from alloy to carbon then quickly back to alloy. Trail/XC bike I'd go carbon, but prefer aluminum at the bike park on my enduro. Weight difference was hardly noticable, but I had a crack under my grips I didn't know about, and after a pretty bad wreck I almost hit what turned into the equivalent of an ice pick.
I ride and love my Renthal Fatbar w Apex stem. Trail/XC (which I'm currently working on) I'd consider RF Next. Tried OneUp and don't get the hype.
Handlebars and grips are really a personal decision. Not a place I'd look to cut weight though. Comfort and feel are more important than the few grams I'd save.
![Bicycle Wheel Tire Bicycle wheel Bicycle frame]()
I ride and love my Renthal Fatbar w Apex stem. Trail/XC (which I'm currently working on) I'd consider RF Next. Tried OneUp and don't get the hype.
Handlebars and grips are really a personal decision. Not a place I'd look to cut weight though. Comfort and feel are more important than the few grams I'd save.
What’s that item on your water bottle braze-on?
1 - 20 of 27 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Mountain Bike Reviews Forum
A forum community dedicated to Mountain Bike owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about bike parts, components, deals, performance, modifications, classifieds, trails, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
ilmfat
859 Replies
DIRTJUNKIE
440 Replies
Sparticus
382 Replies
Recommended Communities
