What bars do you guys recommend?

brucey72
brucey72 Posts: 1,086
edited March 2009 in Road buying advice
I am after some new bars for my pride and joy. I would like carbon compact bars as I'm not a fan of "ergo" style bars. The ones I have been most taken by are the FSA K-Wing Compact which are available for £197. Do these have internal cable routing? Does anyone own a pair and have an opinion? Are there any other bars I should perhaps be looking at?

The guy at my LBS says he will get a couple of pairs in for me to have a look at and I just want to narrow down my options.

Thanks

Comments

  • softlad
    softlad Posts: 3,513
    I don't think I could recommend any handlebar that cost £197...

    My Omega compact bars cost nearer £20 and are great performers, not to mention excellent value for money. I can't help thinking that shelling out close to 200 notes on a bar is way above the 'value' threshold....
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Planet-X were clearing out the FSA Wing Pro Compacts for £15 in black or £35 in white - less than half price - mine arrived yesterday! Carbon bars are no lighter or stiffer IME than alloy but cost helluva lot when you crash.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • brucey72
    brucey72 Posts: 1,086
    Thanks Monty D, I'll take a look at that...............hopefully there'll not be too many crashes though :lol:
  • Gary D
    Gary D Posts: 431
    brucey,
    I have the FSA K-Wing Carbon bars on my Bianchi. I didn't pay anywhere near that much for them though - I upgraded them as part of a good deal when I bought the bike.

    I have to say I do find them very comfortable and I am glad I went for the upgrade. The contoured area around the bends on the top of the bars just seems to suit my hands. I can't say if there is a noticeable difference between these carbon bars and the equivalent Alu ones as I have never tried both - but the carbon ones sure do look better :oops: :oops: When I am grovelling up hills leaning over the bars with my tongue hanging out, it is much better to have someting nice to look at :? :?

    Cable routing is internal for the brake cables - but as I have Shimano - obviously not the gear cables! If you are running Campag, then yes, it is internal for both.

    Hope this helps,
    Gary.
    Oh and I feel like I've been raped by an Orangutan :shock: And I've got legs like Girders :lol:
  • brucey72
    brucey72 Posts: 1,086
    Thanks for that Gary. I can't seem to find them any cheaper but the way prices for cycling gear has gone up recently I'm not surprised. I agree, they really do look "bling"
  • Gary D
    Gary D Posts: 431
    Yes, when I was first contemplating whether to upgrade, I was looking at prices as well.
    They do come up on Ebay occasionally - especially the US site. So it is worth keeping an eye out.

    However, as you say, with the way both Euro and Dollar exchange rates are at the moment forcing prices up, there are fewer "bargains" to be had.

    Another route might be to try and find a friendly Bianchi dealer and see what they can do on price? Or alternatively, if they have a pair in stock that have come in on a factory build bike that the Customer wanted changing?

    Good luck,
    Gary.
    Oh and I feel like I've been raped by an Orangutan :shock: And I've got legs like Girders :lol: