Carbon Handlebars

John.
John. Posts: 17
edited January 2008 in MTB buying advice
I’ve been looking at carbon handlebars, particularly the Race Face SL XC:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ProductDetail.a ... 0Handlebar

Are these suitable for trail use? I’m naturally sceptical about the strength & longevity of carbon. Anyone use them, the Race Face ones or others?

Is it OK to use an alloy stem with them?

TIA

J.

Comments

  • dave_hill
    dave_hill Posts: 3,877
    Carbon fibre bars are monstrously strong and Race Face are among some of the best. Most mortals will never exceed the capabilities of a carbon fibre bar, provided it's used within it's intended scope.

    An XC bar wouldn't stand up to much in the way of jumps, big drops, etc., for for general trail riding will be more than adequate.

    As far as the stem goes, it's fine to use aluminium, but you must make sure that there are no sharp edges or corners on the mating faces of the stem and it's clamp plate, and also make sure that you do the clamp bolts up to the correct torque - you will either need a torque wrench to do this, or have the bars fitted at a (competent) dealers.
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  • ride_whenever
    ride_whenever Posts: 13,279
    If you want some that are a bit stronger then the easton dh cnt bars are stupidly strong but also not cheap.
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  • Bazzowmb
    Bazzowmb Posts: 227
    Had some carbon Easton Monkeylite XC risers for over a year now with no problems at all.

    Light too.
  • Chaka Ping
    Chaka Ping Posts: 1,451
    I have those very Race Face carbon Next SL bars on my Anthem and they've been excellent.

    They're strong and stiff and they seem more comfy than alu bars.

    Have a quick look at the Merlin website though. I've been browsing it recently and those bars were on at about half the wiggle price.
  • daniel_b
    daniel_b Posts: 11,981
    Saw them for £60 on CRC today, only in 1 size though :?

    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=11724
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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    i use fsa k-force riser bars and they are mega. i weigh in at over 19 stone and can feel a bit of flex when compared to alu bars but i never feel like they are gonna break. i would reccomend then for trail riding
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    sheepsteeth wrote:
    i use fsa k-force riser bars and they are mega. i weigh in at over 19 stone and can feel a bit of flex when compared to alu bars but i never feel like they are gonna break. i would reccomend then for trail riding

    I have those Sheepsteeth - bloody great!
  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Posts: 79,667
    carbon bars look cool too :D

    pbpic1271029.jpg
  • John.
    John. Posts: 17
    They do indeed look cool. :twisted:

    Cheers for the replies, especially those with the cheaper links.

    I'm going to order some of the Race Face ones, I don't really need them but I want them! I can't afford not to now I've seen the lower prices. :lol:
  • The Big Cheese
    The Big Cheese Posts: 8,651
    I think that Merlin were doing a deal on the K-force for £49.99
  • gaz047
    gaz047 Posts: 601
    hi, ive got some of the next carbon flat bars and can't fault them, their very light/strong, come with end caps so you can run bar ends if you want and yes you can use them with an alloy stem (just make sure you use a torque wrench!!!!!!) i got mine last year from crc and got the 2006 ones for around £40 iirc
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