Mountain Biking - Upgrade from $100 CNT to $29 Aluminum Easton bars

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ed
11-27-09, 08:34 AM
Call me Kooky!

I just can't get my head wrapped around Carbon Fiber / CNT. (I see it as a weakness) Always worried about chipping / breaking it.

Sold the Easton Monkeylight XC CNT OS HiRise
Bought an Easton EA70 Aluminum for $29 at Jenson.


Should be here tomorrow.

jimx200
11-27-09, 09:01 AM
Chel, I understand completely. Last year on a road ride with our group, one of the women who was riding a high end Trek, snapped her carbon seat post crossing over a RR track. I mean this thing shattered and she was lucky not to get hurt. LBS replaced it no problem. After seeing that, the slight weight savings with carbon was a non issue. If a carbon handlebar snaps, that's guaranteed crash.
Grimlock
11-27-09, 09:22 AM
I'll bite.

That's kooky. To go against non-empirical evidence with a counter-anecdote, I remember reading somewhere that Easton's CNT bars and seatposts tested better in-house than their aluminum stuff.

ed
11-27-09, 10:17 AM
I'll bite.

That's kooky. To go against non-empirical evidence with a counter-anecdote, I remember reading somewhere that Easton's CNT bars and seatposts tested better in-house than their aluminum stuff.

I too have read that claim. Here's my claim:

I have never broken, nor have I ever seen...an EA70 bar break. In a short time riding the EC70...little chips appear from thin air. My confidence lies in my experience...thus for Christmas I will be able to put something else on my list besides my two front teeth.
ProEdgeBiker
11-27-09, 10:18 AM
What year were your CNT Bars Chelboed? Easton Bars are highly rated and proven to be stronger than their Alum Bars. I've been running Easton carbon for the past 5yrs or so, never had a problem.

This year, i upgraded to the MonkeyLight SL's and on top of looking sweet, they feel SUPER STIFF.

The Carbon technology now compared to a few years back is no comparison what so ever.

But, MTBing is all about how you feel behind your bars, not how the next rider feels, Good luck with your new bars.
ed
11-27-09, 12:03 PM
What year were your CNT Bars Chelboed?
2009






Easton Bars are highly rated and proven to be stronger than their Alum Bars. I've been running Easton carbon for the past 5yrs or so, never had a problem.
The caveat is that Easton takes a brand new bar out of the package and tests it. I'm sure an un-marred CNT bar is strong....BUT:

I too have read that claim. Here's my claim:
In a short time riding the EC70...little chips appear from thin air.
When those resin chips start to appear...my confidence deteriorates.









I've been running Easton carbon for the past 5yrs or so, never had a problem.
Don't take this the wrong way, but I have a sneaky notion that our riding styles vary slightly.










I have never broken, nor have I ever seen...an EA70 bar break. My confidence lies in my experience.