To carbon or not to carbon Handlebars?

donnie murdo · May 2007

Are carbon handlebars really worth it and do they like lock-on grips?

What are the best carbon bars out there?

Cheers,

[:)]

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Unknown · May 2007

i use lock ons on my X lite carbon bars. The good thing with carbon is its very light and very strong (stronger than alloy steel etc...) the best bar depends on what you use it for and how stiif you want your bars eg "FSA k force" flat carbon bars are light and very stiff and would be great for xc racing.... "Lp Composites DH bar" is nowhere near as stiff or light but is mega strong and nice and comfortable and would be great for dh or freeride....

Kona Humu 29er

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Unknown · May 2007

Carbon seems to absorb high frequency 'buzz' better. A good bar is lighter than a standard alloy bar and well worth thinking about upgrading. Answer Pro Taper is my choice.

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streako · May 2007

Carbon is good for xc and general trail riding. If you are a heavy rider or do more freeride or downhill, then I would stick to Aluminium.

Lock on grips arent really a problem as long as you dont over-tighten the collars.

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Futureboy · May 2007

I use carbon bars on all the bikes and i'm no lightweight.

Just make sure you use a torque wrench to tighten the stem bolts to spec and check there aren't any burrs around the stem clamp.

As for brands, personally, i prefer Easton Monkeylites. I've used Race Face Next SL and TBH, i found them to be incredibly stiff, with not a great deal of vibration damping.

FSA K-Force get a decent review. I use their road bars and they are excellent.

Unknown · May 2007

Cant see how weight of the rider makes much diference tbh.Im no lightweight and had a stack a few weeks ago,and the bars are fine.Ive had monkeylites but now use race face next SL,but that was for pimp reasons.I would agree the monkeylites slightly less harsh but am still well happy with the raceface.Would never go back to aluminium now.Oh yes i do use lock on grips.[:)]

Charge Duster Ti

When the going gets tough,The tough get going
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helen coakley · May 2007

Race face have just brought out some really light nice looking carbon handle bars...as light as the easton ec90 but alot cheaper...have a look on wiggle[;)]

Capt. Concussion · May 2007

I've got Easton EC70 CNT riser bars with lock-on grips and they are very solid feeling. They survived a crash on "The Terrible Twins" at Dalbeattie on saturday, so that gives me every confidence in them! [B)][:D]

Derek.

(Where did that bloody tree come from??)

My Orange 5 Pro

Lario · May 2007

I use Race Face next SL on my hardtail, been very happy with them. Never tried Easton so I can't comment but they are quite a bit more expensive.

Futureboy · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ninja

Cant see how weight of the rider makes much diference tbh.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Err, because a heavier rider is putting more load on the bars.

Think about the load on the bar when an 8st rider lands a jump heavily, then think about the load when a 15st rider lands under the same circumstances.
The same applies to any stretch when the rider is applying load to the bars.

I've seen carbon bars fail at the stem clamp area and it's not pretty and there is no warning. They fail catastrophically.
Thats the reason the clamp area should be checked for any sharp edge and the stem bolts should be done up to the correct torque.

Unknown · May 2007

Dont think i explained myself properly futureboy.If the weight was such an issue then there would be some warning when buying the bars surely.Thats what i meant by the weight shouldnt matter.Not sure iv explained myself clearly now tbh.

Charge Duster Ti

When the going gets tough,The tough get going
www.flickr.com/photos/theninj

Unknown · May 2007

If you have seen bars fail at the stem clamp,what was the cause of failure?and why are you using carbon if your no lightweight?
Im not being awkward,just concerned because i use carbon.

Charge Duster Ti

When the going gets tough,The tough get going
www.flickr.com/photos/theninj

Futureboy · May 2007

The bars that i'm talking about failed at the stem clamp, due to uneven torque on the four bolt stem plate. It resulted in a "hot spot" for want of a better word. They problem might not have been so pronounced had a lighter guy been riding the bike.

Even though i'm reasonably heavy, i use carbon because i'm pretty jey!

If i was hucking off anything or doing downhill, i reckon i'd use alloy. Even only if it was for piece of mind!

I'm not anti carbon at all. I've got a carbon bike, but i do think it has to be treated with a bit more respect than alloy. You can get away with iffy torque on an alloy bar but not carbon. It's the same with carbon seat posts. They are very easy to overtighten and it's not hard to find a bit of burr around the seat tube/collar.

stuartlangwilson · May 2007

Carbon bars are really strong, unless there is a weak point such as a stressed or damaged area, this will be so much weaker than the original strength, and will likely fail catastrophically with any weight rider.

I smooth off burrs but never bother with a torque wrench.

Vegeeta · May 2007

I've been using carbon bars on my past 3 bikes (not the same ones each time). I've found them totally reliable.

One thing though, never waste money on SL monkey bars over normal CNT ones. The 15g weight difference is almost completely down to the fact that they're 50mm narrower.
Unless of course you like red and white more than red and orange, then it's totally worth the extra.

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stuartlangwilson · May 2007

Forgot to say i use carbon bars and have full confidence in them, until they get a big scratch through the lacquer.

Futureboy · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by stuartlangwilson
I smooth off burrs but never bother with a torque wrench.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I can't understand that. Torque values are given for a reason.

I used to work in engineering. Maybe i'm just a stickler!

Vegeeta · May 2007

What torque wrenches would you recommend? I've been wanting one for ages but I never know what one is best.

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Futureboy · May 2007

I've got a set of Britool torque wrenches (cough!) courtesy of my old work!

stuartlangwilson · May 2007

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Futureboy

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by stuartlangwilson
I smooth off burrs but never bother with a torque wrench.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I can't understand that. Torque values are given for a reason.

I used to work in engineering. Maybe i'm just a stickler!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I guess if i did have a set of torque wrenches i would use them.

The magpie in me would rather spend the cash on carbon and titanium bits! Exactly the type of part an engineer would advise me to use a torque wrench on!

If i did have a torque wrench i would worry how well calibrated it was.

I've not broken any carbon bars yet. Wont be pretty when it happens i'm sure. Aluminium and Ti bars snap too unfortunately.

To carbon or not to carbon Handlebars?

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