Carbon Bars

Alan P

Some advice on buying carbon bars please....I have a Lapierre Zesty 714 (2012) and am looking at some wider bars for it, probably 720mm plus.

Easton Haven bars are 711mm wide, but that's not much more than the 680mm that come on it as standard. Race Face do some at 725mm (their SIXC bars), but from what I can see after some internet research, I might have to go for another stem if I want wider, although that might not be a bad thing if a shorter stem would help things as well.

The standard stem is 31.8mm with 80mm length and the standard bars are 680mm, 9 degree rearward, 5 degree upward and 20mm rise (I think). I'd liketo keep the bar profile as much as I can, but I'm open to suggestions on a bar/stem combo to get some better width.

Any suggestions?

benpinnick

Havoc carbons will fit. Around £100 , 750 wide.

benpinnick

Ps you could do what I've just done. Buy some cheap havoc alu's from Merlin (£35), and play with them first. If you like the width, flog them on eBay for £25, and get some carbons. Good way to test as its expensive to get it wrong!

lawman

Havocs all the way. I first bought the carbon bars and loved them, so now I've got the alu havocs on my hardtail which are just as good imo, bit heavier but in a blind test you wouldnt know the difference.

Alan P

Thanks guys, the problem I have with Easton Havocs is the diameter is 35mm, whereas my stem is 31.8mm so I'd need to change that to fit Havoc bars.

Has anybody any suggestions for stems, particularly any experience shortening the length (I'm tempted to go to 55 or 60mm)?

benpinnick

Havocs are available in 31.8 & 35. http://www.merlincycles.com/bike-shop/m ... r-bar.html

benpinnick

As for stems, get something 'carbon compatible'... just means they dont have sharp edges, but worth checking for. Personally I like Thomson stems (X4) but there's tons available. That said, I'd get the 31.8 Havocs and try it for now. No need to change just for the sake of it.

lawman

As has been said the havocs are either 31.8 or new 35mm diameter.

I run my carbon bars with a haven 70mm stem without issue and the alu havocs with a 55mm haven and both are great setups. Can't really go wrong with easton stuff.

supersonic

Have a look at this:

http://www.carboncycles.cc/?s=0&t=2&c=94&p=1063&

and their stem:

http://www.carboncycles.cc/?s=0&t=2&c=48&p=609&

Alan P

Thanks guys, all your help and advice is much appreciated