Road Cycling - carbon bars/stems

i will soon get a new road bike and i am contemplating what type of bars to get

i have partially torn both UCLs of my thumbs and get a bit of ulnar distribution numbness in my left hand...so my hands get a bit uncomfortable at times

from purely a comfort/vibration absorbing standpoint...do carbon bars have an advantage over traditional aluminum ones?

i like the feel of a couple of bars i have handled (a deda and a fsa) but neither was on a bike...unfortunately i am unlikely to find a test ride so equipped

thoughts??

Since you are buying a new bike, any chance of your LBS letting you try a few bars atleast for a short ride. I have the Easton EC-90 on one bike, and the Cinneli ram on another. Both are great bars, and do reduce the road buzz quite a bit.

Originally posted by bandaidman
...do carbon bars have an advantage over traditional aluminum ones?




YES, YES, YES!!!!! I have been on Al bars for quite awhile and said I would never go to carbon bars b/c of the flex and my perception of easily breaking them. I could not have been more wrong!! The other day I upgraded to an Easton EA-70 stem and EC-90 carbon bars. I cannot be any more happy with the results. The road vibration is almost completely gone, they are sooooooo much more comfortable on my hands (I refuse to wear gloves) and they do not flex one bit. Plus, they add to the sex appeal of a smokin' bike. If you have the chance I say pick them up, you will not reget it.

If you plan to add aero bars, only Kestrel Pro Carbon is made to accomodate them. Easton specifically states warranty is void if aeros are added. And, I believe, the Kestrel might be less expensive.

Originally posted by bandaidman

i have partially torn both UCLs of my thumbs and get a bit of ulnar distribution numbness in my left hand...so my hands get a bit uncomfortable at times

from purely a comfort/vibration absorbing standpoint...do carbon bars have an advantage over traditional aluminum ones?


thoughts??

I've never used them personally, but have you considered cycling gloves?

I'm with the others on liking the Easton EC-90 bars. I haven't bought one yet but i tried a set and really liked the straight corners...really nice for longer rides and they didn't flex like I thought they would. I believe SuperGo has them on special in their stores this weekend for $129.95 if that helps you.

Another avenue you might explore, with whatever bars you choose, is to have an underwrap of cotton bartape, then the normal wrapping of the cork bartape. This will help in vibration control and it will slightly increase the effective size of the bars, allowing a more relaxed grip.

It depends on the aluminum bar, as well. I had Cinelli Eubios bars on my bike for years and put Ritchey Pros on it a few months ago. Much more comfy, still alu.

thanks for all the replies

the easton bar looks like the ticket for me

i have ridden on flat bars so long that i like the idea of the underwrap followed by cork to make a thicker bar

i always ride with gloves...usually gel ....they help some...just not enough :(

Originally posted by bandaidman
[B]thanks for all the replies

.....i have ridden on flat bars so long that i like the idea of the underwrap followed by cork to make a thicker bar...

Tressoro Cotton Bar Tape is what I use, single thickness not overlayed. One roll will do the upper part of the bar, from the hoods to the bulge on both sides. Get it wet first and it will lay very nicely, with no bumps or ridges. Then wrap your cork tape as usual. If you want more 'cushy' and thickness, use a gel tape. Cinelli, Profile, Deda are a few that have a gel tape.

Wow! I didn't think many people were such fans of the EC-90's shape. When I got mine, everyone I talked to advised me against them because the shape was "non-traditional". I however chose them exactly because of the straight sections.

Has anyone ever crashed with carbon bars? How did they hold up compared to Alu? The only thing that makes me hesitant to buy is the replacement $ if I crash (and I will crash :rolleyes: )

Has anyone ever crashed with carbon bars? How did they hold up compared to Alu? The only thing that makes me hesitant to buy is the replacement $ if I crash (and I will crash :rolleyes: )

My riding partner drifted into me while we were doing around 25MPH. I went down hard and my handlebars hit pretty hard as a result. My brake hoods were all rotated and I lost my handlebars plugs but the bars themselves were fine.

The only thing about the Easton bars
is the colour, I have enough of a problem with black,
whats with the red and yellow?
I personally like the silvered look, even the muted Alu
is ok, but hey I'm grouchy what'd you expect ? :D

Marty

The only thing about the Easton bars
is the colour, I have enough of a problem with black,
whats with the red and yellow?
I personally like the silvered look, even the muted Alu
is ok, but hey I'm grouchy what'd you expect ? :D

I like the look of carbon fibre. The red is never seen. It gets covered up by the bartape. The only part of the bars that should be showing are the weave of the CF in the middle of the tops.