Carbon Bars

Beardy10
Beardy10 Posts: 115
edited March 2008 in Workshop
Have searched a bit but haven't found a relevant thread.

Do Carbon Handlebars make a big difference to the ride ? Obviously they're a bit lighter....just wondered if people thought they were worth the extra £££

Comments

  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Stiffer, yes, but generally, because of the oversize bulge, the difference is negligible. If you want comfort, suggest you try and track down some 26.0mm diameter ones rather than oversize.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    You wont notice any difference in weight - they are v similar to alloy and some are even heavier.

    Fit bigger tyres and try a carbon post if you ride with a fair bit showing ?
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,473
    My carbon bars are a bit stiffer than my old alloy bars that weighed exactly the same. So maybe the stiffness/weight ratio is a little better, but for bars of the same stiffness I guess you're only going to save 20-50g by going for carbon? I unashamedly admit that I got mine mainly because they look nice and they match my seatpost. :wink:

    Are there any statistics regarding the failure rates of alloy vs. carbon bars? Everyone seems to be scared of carbon failing, but is it possible that while carbon bars are more likely to snap on impact during a crash, alloy bars are more likely to fail unexpectedly due to fatigue, especially if they are very light? Or do carbon bars snap suddenly without warning in practice, when there is no visible damage?
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    the "carbon bars are lethal" thing is way overblown IMO. to be clear, there are thousands of sets of these things out there running with no problems. just don't overtighten the stem and if they've had a hard knock ... get rid.

    they are more expensive obviously and apart from a weight saving in some cases (carbon bars are now down to about 170g at best versus 200g at best for alu), they are (I think) somewhat more comfortable in that soak up some road buzz ... that's my perception anyway.

    But honestly, unless you're building a dream bike with the lightest components, then they are a waste of cash.

    I don't find them stiffer ... nothing can beat a Deda Newton for stiffness IME.
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Bars are meant to be replaced every few years. So why pay the extra for carbon if its a consumable ?
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    cougie wrote:
    Bars are meant to be replaced every few years. So why pay the extra for carbon if its a consumable ?

    same deal as with high-end cassettes ... if you want the very lightest ...

    ok, one of my bikes has carbon bars, but it is a 6.5kg dream bike, and a one-off. I actually prefer the deda newtons on my regular 7.5kg bike ...

    my perception is that carbon bars do absorb some buzz, and they look nice!

    try justifying a carbon stem ! where there are no weight savings.
  • neeb
    neeb Posts: 4,473
    Bars are meant to be replaced every few years. So why pay the extra for carbon if its a consumable ?

    Is it necessary to do this with carbon bars if they haven't taken an impact, though? I thought that carbon didn't fatigue as such (although if it is damaged it is weakened). People are content to use carbon frames (including very thin seatstays etc) and forks that are a few years old. Is there any difference?
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    From what I've seen - carbon bars arent any lighter than alloy ones.

    Oh sure you can pay silly money for the lightest bike - but is there really any need ? Most of us would be better losing the weight, or just training. I can understand the pros and elites needing to save grammes - but not the sunday cafe rider.
  • Beardy10
    Beardy10 Posts: 115
    Seems to me like the right answer is stick with alloy bars. I was more interested in the ride quality than they weight and there certainly seems to be no clear advantage there.

    I am under no illusiosn that saving 30g is something that I will be able to notice and appreciate!
  • wildmoustache
    wildmoustache Posts: 4,010
    cougie wrote:
    From what I've seen - carbon bars arent any lighter than alloy ones.

    Oh sure you can pay silly money for the lightest bike - but is there really any need ? Most of us would be better losing the weight, or just training. I can understand the pros and elites needing to save grammes - but not the sunday cafe rider.

    the lightest bars are all carbon.

    Look at, e.g. Zipp SL bars ... under 170g

    Alu bars don't get any lighter than about 200g
  • Beardy10
    Beardy10 Posts: 115
    Beardy10 wrote:
    Seems to me like the right answer is stick with alloy bars. I was more interested in the ride quality than they weight and there certainly seems to be no clear advantage there.

    I am under no illusiosn that saving 30g is something that I will not be able to notice and appreciate!
  • cougie
    cougie Posts: 22,512
    Zipp SL - a mere snip at £225.

    Or save £200 and get the ITM alloy ones - according to Ribble - they are 260gr anyway. 255gr if you believe the ITM website.

    If we say the bike is what 16lbs ? And we're talking about 30gr on the bars - then i think thats less than half of 1 percent. Weightweenies beckons....

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