Oversized 31.8mm Bar and Stem - Does it make a difference?

Jonesy.

Hi all,

What difference (if any) does a 31.8mm bar and stem make over the 'standard' 25.4mm size?

Is it stiffer, stronger, more responsive, or does it absorb more trail buzz?

I read somewhere that it's favoured by downhill riders - but what about for XC? Is it suitable for XC and racing?

Cheers,
J

supersonic

It increases the stiffness to weight ratio.

nicklouse

a great marketing tool.

i still like the 22mm ones. Light and takes the buzz out.

but not many out there

robertpb

A few months ago I put some NS Proof bars on my bike, I cut them down with my normal cutter to 690mm.

These must be the toughest bars I have ever cut, so to answer your question, it's how tough the material is in the first place.

But also remember those DH riders seem to be a heavy lot.

Jonesy.

Hmmm...then I guess it's a choice between stiffness or less trail buzz. As my bike is already stiffer than a frozen corpse, I may just stick with the 25.4 option, or risk being rattled out of the cockpit every time I hit a bumpy trail section.

Or, to throw a chainsaw into the works, I could get an oversized carbon bar, which may offer a good compromise between stiffness / shock absorption and weight saving. I'm just scared that being a torque monkey I'd crack the bars before I even get them onto the trail...

weeksy59

Jonesy. wrote:

. I'm just scared that being a torque monkey I'd crack the bars before I even get them onto the trail...

You buy a little wrench thing with pretty little numbers on the side... it makes a 'click' noise and you stop tightening

Jonesy.

weeksy59 wrote:

You buy a little wrench thing with pretty little numbers on the side... it makes a 'click' noise and you stop tightening

I still reckon I'd crack them.

But will probably give it a go. Just been reading the carbon bars thread and now I'm sorely tempted...yet more money sacrificed to the Great God of Mountain Biking :roll:

Turrican

robertpb wrote:

But also remember those DH riders seem to be a heavy lot.

What you saying were all fat and lardy on DH bikes