Has anyone switched to carbon bars on their fatty?

Carbon is nice for the winter. Warmer hands. Lots of choices out there.

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Yes, I switched because I had an extra set of Answer 20/20's sitting around and needed more sweep. I find zero difference in ride quality or temperature due to using carbon on my fat bike. The giant tires mask anything that small and I'm wearing big frickin' mitts when I ride my fat bike.

baker said:

Yes, I switched because I had an extra set of Answer 20/20's sitting around and needed more sweep. I find zero difference in ride quality or temperature due to using carbon on my fat bike. The giant tires mask anything that small and I'm wearing big frickin' mitts when I ride my fat bike.

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yeah. This is what I was thinking.

When you ride in extreme cold, you try to minimize how much metal is on the bike. When you grab or touch anything metal, for any reason, it sucks heat out of what it touches. Change a tube at -15F like I did the other wheel and you are cursing metal valve stems and pumps.

Jayem said:

When you ride in extreme cold, you try to minimize how much metal is on the bike. When you grab or touch anything metal, for any reason, it sucks heat out of what it touches. Change a tube at -15F like I did the other wheel and you are cursing metal valve stems and pumps.

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I can see this...I avoid riding once it gets below 8ish F, a luxury I have in Colorado as it just doesn't get cold that often...

I just swapped out my Farley's stem, bars, and seat post for those cheaper Amazon ones. The handlebars seems comparable to Bontrager, and the decals they use look suspiciously like the Bonty logo. I do like them, so far no issues, I don't expect there will be. Here's a link to just the bars, which are noticeably lighter and warmer than the aluminum ones I had:

Bassmantweed said:

Looking for a set of carbon bars to tame things a bit when I hit the occasional rough spots.

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What kind of terrain/trails?

I don't think you can go wrong with Race Face components, I've installed their carbon Next bar on multiple bikes. Multiple color options are nice as well.

Next Handlebar - 31.8 – Race Face

ALL of my bikes, and those of my wife, are now set up with One up carbon bars. They are super plush and robust enough to support 230# (kitted) me on bike park days.

Crockpot2001 said:

ALL of my bikes, and those of my wife, are now set up with One up carbon bars. They are super plush and robust enough to support 230# (kitted) me on bike park days.

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OP needs a 31.8 option, so the OneUp bars won't work.

I switched to carbon 2 years ago. Other than the "less cold" feature, I dont feel any difference at all.

enewman said:

OP needs a 31.8 option, so the OneUp bars won't work.

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Yup. Just reinforcing their worth. Maybe a 35mm stem will come into his life.

Crockpot2001 said:

Yup. Just reinforcing their worth. Maybe a 35mm stem will come into his life.

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thinking of just saving my $250 from the general feedback I’m hearing here. I figured as much that they would offer minimal improvement with fat bikes.

Jayem said:

When you ride in extreme cold, you try to minimize how much metal is on the bike. When you grab or touch anything metal, for any reason, it sucks heat out of what it touches. Change a tube at -15F like I did the other wheel and you are cursing metal valve stems and pumps.

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This is why we don't ride in temps of -15F. I was out one night last week at 8F. Really wasn't a fan.

Steewen said:

I switched to carbon 2 years ago. Other than the "less cold" feature, I dont feel any difference at all.

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Put your aluminum ones back on and you will feel a difference.

Yes, it will be much colder to touch. Other than that, no.

Everyone has mentioned the benefit of carbon helping shield from the cold.
I agree, but....
If your cheap like me and don't see a need for carbon bars on your fatbike, try lock-on foam grips like these from Sram. Salsa also carries some.


I ride with Bar-mitts plus these grips, and after a short warm up of a mile or so, I take my gloves off all together and my hands are always perfect with this combo. This hold true to about 10F. Below that, I need light gloves.

I agree, foam grips make a world of difference. I have the Salsa foam grips on carbon bars and with proper gloves I don't have any cold hand issues at all. I also do not ride below 15F...

I rode yesterday in 10 degree with no cold issues with stock bars.