[CharT]

I'm having trouble finding a set of barends that are guaranteed safe for carbon handlebars. First of all, I'll be using either Eastion EC70 or Maxm flat bars. Both are claimed safe for barend use. I prefer the short barends like Titec Micros or Ritchey WCS. I don't like the Singletrack solutions type barends, but I haven't tried 'em for very long. I'd like the barends to angle inwards slightly, and my understanding is that the ST barends angle outwards due to the sweep of the handlebars.

Unfortunately, most barends like Ritchey WCS and Titec Micros are forged and listed as incompatible with carbon bars. This is according to the tech bulletin released by Easton as well as instructions provided by Maxm. The barends that they suggest to use have machined clamps which aren't widely available anymore. Is Icon and Controltech even still around?

If anyone has successfully used a nice light set of barends (~100g) with their carbon bars, please chime in. Thanks!

 

[Dirt Pilot]

Bar ends...

I'm currently using Singletrack Solutions (very light) with my carbon fiber bars. I have used them for about three months and have had no issues. I'm 6'3" 190 lbs and do mainly cross country riding. Hope this helps.

 

[jonwebah]

another vote for singletrack solutions ST-lights. those things rock with risors and flats. extremo cheap at pricepoint, too. 11 bucks for 63 gram barends.

 

[b12yan88]

Take a look here

Haha he said he didn't like single track. Yeah those platic things are light. I saw some carbon bar ends at performancebike under there name. They weigh 99 grams and look pretty nice. i would give youthe link, but im lazy. It cost 40$, but could be less wiith the 20 % off coupon iif you buy some other stuff with it

 

[WOY]

I am using the old Icon Sterling bar end at 60g they are light and carbon bars friendly (EC70 flat and Monkey lites).

I was on the look out for bar end to replace these Icons and found these POST MODERNE MICRO BAR ENDS which are very similar to the Icons. The only place that I know of that sell them on line is this place in the UK.....

http://www.changing-gear.com/acatalog/CG_Catalog_Bar_ends_285.html

Wayne

 

[CharT]

Hmm, those Amoeba carbon stubbies look kinda cool. I like the offset clamp design that makes the barends slightly wider than the width of the handlebars. Maybe I should get the Icon Fatty McGee here and cut them down?

 

[b12yan88]

Wow great price, good find, see if you could order them some how

 

[TheRedMantra]

How about some of these? I dont think you wil have a problem with any bar ends as long as you dont overtighten (you said both bars are bar end compatible). Just get what is cheap and light. I loved my bontrager mag bar ends. Super cheap and very light. Or, check out a combo-bar like the klein stratum 185 carbon bars, or scott lf-x2 thermoplastic bars. There is one of each on ebay right now. The scotts are lighter by 20g, but the kleins are just, you know, Kleins. The scott bar would be like having a 100g bar with seom 65g ends so its not a bad weight at all for the price. It costs less than most carbon bar ends alone.

 

[dgangi]

None...

...because bar ends suck.

Seriously, I was a diehard bar end user for almost 8 years. None of my friends could convince me otherwise, even though most of them had quit using bar ends for a while.

Last year I broke my bar ends in a crash and had no immediate replacement for them but wanted to continue to ride. So I continued to ride w/o the bar ends...and it felt GREAT! I could keep my hands wider on the bars (standard 23" flat bars), which helped me open up my chest and breathe easier (it's amazing what another 1-2" of width will do for you!). After a few rides I found myself not needing them anymore. I am a strong climber and had no issues climbing w/o the bar ends. In fact, the opposite was true - with less crap on the handlebars, I found myself feeling freeer to do whatever I wanted with the bike without worrying about (a) not enough room for my hands and (b) snagging stuff with the bar ends (such as tree branches).

Anyway, before you go crazy looking for bar ends that still *might* damage your new carbon bars, try riding w/o the bar ends first. You might just be converted to the "other" side like I was

Thx...Doug

 

[TheRedMantra]

...because bar ends suck.

Seriously, I was a diehard bar end user for almost 8 years. None of my friends could convince me otherwise, even though most of them had quit using bar ends for a while.

Last year I broke my bar ends in a crash and had no immediate replacement for them but wanted to continue to ride. So I continued to ride w/o the bar ends...and it felt GREAT! I could keep my hands wider on the bars (standard 23" flat bars), which helped me open up my chest and breathe easier (it's amazing what another 1-2" of width will do for you!). After a few rides I found myself not needing them anymore. I am a strong climber and had no issues climbing w/o the bar ends. In fact, the opposite was true - with less crap on the handlebars, I found myself feeling freeer to do whatever I wanted with the bike without worrying about (a) not enough room for my hands and (b) snagging stuff with the bar ends (such as tree branches).

Anyway, before you go crazy looking for bar ends that still *might* damage your new carbon bars, try riding w/o the bar ends first. You might just be converted to the "other" side like I was

Thx...Doug

Ya, I dont ride with them any more either. They are kind of nice for those long climbs though. I might try those canecreek ones eventually. I just find that I dont need them for my riding. I use narrow bars so snagging was not a big issue with me. I dont remeber ever snagging actually. I do remember crimping my bar from overtightening (be careful!!!). Bar ends are not for everyone, but if he likes them, why try to convert him? I dont mean to bite your ass or anything, but you sound just like a missionary .

 

[DaFireMedic]

Ya, I dont ride with them any more either. They are kind of nice for those long climbs though. I might try those canecreek ones eventually. I just find that I dont need them for my riding. I use narrow bars so snagging was not a big issue with me. I dont remeber ever snagging actually. I do remember crimping my bar from overtightening (be careful!!!). Bar ends are not for everyone, but if he likes them, why try to convert him? I dont mean to bite your ass or anything, but you sound just like a missionary .

I agree, to each his own. Some swear by them, and many World Cup racers use them. I myself was die hard against them, but now I am experimenting with a pair of Serfas (62 g's, similar to Singletrack Solutions). I must admit they help when climbing. I don't know whether I will keep them or not. I want to get some miles on them first and give them an adequate evaluation.

 

[jonwebah]

my favorite part about bar ends is being able to switch it up on long ascents or on long flats. for me, the ST-lights are great because they allow another comfortable (more comfortable than just grabbing the ends of the bars themselves) hand position. i really think people should try them. for 11 bucks @ pricepoint, it's not bad, and in my book i'm far more comfortable from the bar end position than the grips.

 

[NoMud]

Post Moderne

Post Moderne micro bar ends (often rebranded as Scott or Cannondale)are perfect. 60g, nice inward angle, 'thumb dimples' at ends of bars.

 

[Boj]

my favorite part about bar ends is being able to switch it up on long ascents or on long flats. for me, the ST-lights are great because they allow another comfortable (more comfortable than just grabbing the ends of the bars themselves) hand position. i really think people should try them. for 11 bucks @ pricepoint, it's not bad, and in my book i'm far more comfortable from the bar end position than the grips.

Even when I didn't have bar ends on I would always have my hands at the ends of the bar in the bar end position when wanting to rest my hands. Those are 66 grams I won't be losing.

 

[b12yan88]

Could you get those anywhere ini the USA. Or how would you order them if one lived in the USA.

 

[NoMud]

Post Moderne from UK

Try www.wiggle.co.uk - probably biggest UK internet shop. They have them in stock; not sure about international postage though...

 

[Yomama]

Post Moderne micro bar ends

I just purchased a set of the Post Moderne micro bar ends from http://www.changing-gear.com/

The site made it very easy and secure to place an international order. We'll see how it goes.

 

[CharT]

Please post when you receive your Post Moderne barends and how they feel. Also, please comment on how much room the clamps take up on your handlebars. They don't look like they have an offset clamp, so I'm guessing that they don't place the barends wider than your handlebars. That's a slight drawback for me.

The Ritchey WCS Barends now claim, "Angled clamp slot reduces stress on lightweight bars." I wonder if this is new and also applies to carbon bars? I really tempted to try them, but am I risking my $70 Maxm handlebar?

 

[MaLoL1]

i own post moderne barends (scott rc stix) and they are bad for carbon handlebars because the clamp is hollow, there is no surface to lay on the handlebar, just two parts of the tube walls.

 

[NoMud]

Malol may be right

Mmmmm, just took off my post moderne barends from my ec70's for the 1st time - clear marks where they've been clamped on. They do have a very narrow clamping surface. Not sure if it's risky or not (looks like it might be), will certainly mark your bars. I'll continue with them though - great weight and great 'feel' and position.