Carbon bars
guilliano
Posts: 5,495
Do they make a difference if you have a carbon fork with an alloy steerer? I'm considering them, but is a carbon fork with carbon steerer a better investment?
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Comments
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Go for the right shape/reach/drop of bars as a priority rather than their material. Personally I prefer alloy bars, because decent light ones can be had for less than £50.
As full carbon forks are around the same price as carbon bars, I'd probably go for the full carbon fork. How about the 3T forks?0 -
I'm pretty comfortable on the Race Face Cadence bars I have at the moment (alloy), I just find that there is a fair bit of vibration coming through the alloy steerer/stem/bar combo. I also find the handling on my bike is perfect for me with the current fork, so if I upgraded the forks I'd want something the same or very similar in terms of rake and trail to what I currently have, just with a carbon steerer0
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What about wrapping a second layer of bar tape on the tops?
I know a few people who do this to make for a more comfortable ride.0 -
That doesn't give me the bling factor of an upgrade though......0
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earlier this year as an upgrade for my s-works roubaix I bought a set of cinelli neo morphe carbon bars
best upgrade ever!
it's not the weight - but rather the shape - they are sooo nice to hold on to - many grip positions and all really useful. they aren't any lighter than the ITM visia items they replaced (possibly heavier) but manufacturers can do things (like shape) carbon bars that they simply can't do with alu tubes.
people say they cut vibrations down too - although to be honest my ITMs were fine that way anyway so I can't really tell.0 -
Bar choice is all about getting the right shape - IME carbon bars don't make any difference in terms of vibration, whereas using wider tyres at lower pressure will. From someone that races, I've seen too many broken carbon bars to consider than writing-off £150-worth of bars in a crash is a worthwhile investment. I do have a set of carbon bars, but would only consider buying another set when I've upgraded absolutely everything else - weight loss is only marginal anyway. FWIW I doubt you'd be able to perceive the difference between an alloy or carbon fork steerer either.Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..0
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Thanks for the feedback. I'm going to have to find a shop that has stock of a range of carbon bars I think..... see how they feel when they are in my hands. Weight isn't the issue as I'm used to a full suss MTB so the road bike is a huge improvement anyway...... I just want to be as comfortable as possible and I'm finding I get pain in one elbow after riding on the drops at the mo0
