Handlebars

tobyedward

Can anyone offer some advice on some budget handlebars?

I'm not a serious biker (yet), but I'm just in the process of replacing a few bits and pieces on my an old 1993 Specialized Rockhopper while I save up to buy a decent bike. I need to replace the handlebar and would like to shed some weight from the existing 400g bar at the same time. I'd like to stick with a flat bar with 5 degree sweep (give or take)

I've come up with the following:

- Kore Elite Flat - 145g, £29.99
- Token MTB Alloy Flat - 156g, £15.99
- Outland M25Four X-Country Handlebar Set - 160g, £13.24
- Powerplay Race Pro MTB Flat Bar - 170g, £11.98
- Ritchey Comp Flat Bar - 190g, £16.99
- RaceFace Ride XC Flat - 205g, £17.99
- FSA XC-180 XC Flat Bar - 215g, £17.00

I'm tempted by the Outland M25's given the claimed wight and the fact that they throw in the grips too, but it all seems a bit too good to be true.

Any thoughts??

.blitz

Hi & welcome to the forum

Handlebars tend to be pretty much the same for a given price point and if you are happy with the dimensions it is simply your personal preference. The Race Face and Ritchey bars are a fairly typical OEM component on £600-£800 bikes as are the FSAs.

If it's any help my Rize came with some FSA XC282 bars and although unremarkable, they were competent and workmanlike.

RevellRider

If it's the original bar and stem on your Rockhopper, just be aware that modern bars have a larger clamp diameter.

supersonic

some do, but 25.4 is still fairly common. Have a look at the exotic bars at carbon cycles.