New bars

squiggoth

Hello,

Looking for some new bars for my 2009 Giant Anthem X.
http://www.giant-bicycles.com/EN-GB/bik ... tions_id=4

Currently have the Race Face Ride XC bar (580mm, 8mm backsweep) and stem (100mm, 6 degree)

I believe I currently have the smaller size stem clamp and this seems to be limiting my choice of bars, should I grab a new stem at the same time with the 31.8mm clamp?

Looking at around £80 for both, or £50 just for the bars.

between 680mm and 720mm, low rise, no more than an inch, probably 3/4. All the people I bike with say I need bigger bars, the ride XC flat bar I have now is OK but my hands sometimes come close to falling off on long rocky descents, turn wise I dont find it too twitchy though and why not throw money away, my bike needs a present. Poor thing hasnt been given anything but a wash for the last 2 years.

I ride it more trail/AM than XC race, not a weight weenie, ride it like you stole it attitude.

Couldnt care less for bling, function over form for me. Not interested in carbon.

Thanks.

Ryan Jones

Love my syncros setup, they look the part and feel nice to behold. I think a bars and stem setup could easily be obtained for your budget if you shop around

warpcow

I like my Sunline V1s. They were going cheap (about £30 iirc) at Evans a while ago. Imo, most of the 'trail' bars in that price bracket are much the same. I'd probably have gone for Nukeproof if the Sunlines hadn't been so cheap.

I've got Truvativ AKA stems on both my current bikes. Cheap and do the job. Pro FRS is supposed to be very good value too if you can find one.

squiggoth

Thomson Elite MTB Stem - 90mm 5 Deg 1.1/8" - £40
Answer Pro Taper 720 AM Riser 1" Rise 720mm 31.8mm - £35

sound an acceptable combo?
should give me a little higher bar by about 1/4 - 1/2 inch and be about an inch closer backsweep on the bars which sounds nice.

and thanks both for your response, even though it looks like ive taken no notice I have and its much appreciated.

getonyourbike

I'm also running Sunline V1s and they're really nice. I got them in the 745mm width 19mm rise but have since cut them down to 720mm so I could fit through the trees and they're perfect.

I've got a Superstar Zephir Stem too and that seems really good quality too

cooldad

Have a look at Exotic www.carbobcycles..cc

widge34

Easton EA70 711mm bar.

supersonic

What width are your bars now? Avoid Thomson if you want to save weight.

benpinnick

supersonic wrote:

What width are your bars now? Avoid Thomson if you want to save weight.

Avoid everything else if you like the stiffness and reliability of Thomson with only a few grams weight penalty.

Big Question

im not an expert

but i just ordered one of these stems, very cheap and light

got a 5 star rating on here anyway

http://www.on-one.co.uk/i/q/STOO3DF/on- ... orged-stem

squiggoth

What width are your bars now? Avoid Thomson if you want to save weight.

They are 580mm, weight isnt really an issue, I could loose more from taking less water with me on a ride, or taking 2 spare tubes instead of 4. Longetivity and build quality are much more important to me.

supersonic

benpinnick wrote:

supersonic wrote:

What width are your bars now? Avoid Thomson if you want to save weight.

Avoid everything else if you like the stiffness and reliability of Thomson with only a few grams weight penalty.

Reliability? How many broken stems have you seen? Because the majority of broken stems I have seen are Thomson. As for stiffness, plenty of cheaper, lighter just as stiff forged options that beat it.

580mm is quite narrow - 720mm is a big jump but at least you can cut down.

weight isnt really an issue

Interesting you have an Anthem then ;-). Though it is a tough frame for its weight. Do you intend on riding harder with your new set up?

kdawg74

I run sunline V1's low rise and a truvativ 40mm DH stem

squiggoth

Interesting you have an Anthem then . Though it is a tough frame for its weight. Do you intend on riding harder with your new set up?

Bought it 3 years ago now, felt the best to sit on and was rapid and alive. It gets abused as it is, but everyone pesters me to get wider bars.. and well, from the peoples bikes ive sat on it feels much nicer to have some airflow to the pits, might go well with the DH tyres I have on it too haha.

Id love to run out and buy a new bike, SB-66 or something but summers over, have to wait until next year..

so far V1's seem the prefered option, and ive only seen one broken stem but thats because he rode it with only 3 screws in haha, tesco special too! never actually seen a stem break, il steer clear of thomson then, i only picked it out because it was on sale :oops:

Cheers for the help so far

Ryan Jones

squiggoth wrote:

or taking 2 spare tubes instead of 4.

:shock:

I know you said you abuse your bike but come on that's a tad overkill surely !