Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

Are carbon handlebars worth the cost?

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

Are carbon handlebars worth the cost?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-03-07, 03:44 PM
  #1  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Are carbon handlebars worth the cost?

How much shock will they absorb? I mean will I feel an obvious difference from aluminum? I already have a carbon fork so maybe it's not worth it. Talk me out of spending my hard earned money--please!
palmtree is offline  
Old 04-03-07, 03:46 PM
  #2  
Banned
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 1,926

Bikes: roadbikes and full-suspension mountainbikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Choose a nice pair of Deda, Zipp, Oval Concepts, or Cinelli carbon bars. They'll be absolutely SWEET on your bike! Go for it.
Blue Jays is offline  
Old 04-03-07, 05:10 PM
  #3  
rebmeM roineS
 
JanMM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Metro Indy, IN
Posts: 16,216

Bikes: Bacchetta Giro A20, RANS V-Rex, RANS Screamer

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 653 Post(s)
Liked 347 Times in 226 Posts
Replaced the flat alloy bars on my Novara Big Buzz with generic (performance?) CF bars and was impressed with the reduction in vibration. But, once I forgot how it used to be, it seemed again like a rough ride, thanks to the heavy duty alloy frame and fork. Not as rough as it used to be, but still not a Comfort Bike. Thank goodness.
JanMM is offline  
Old 04-04-07, 06:23 AM
  #4  
Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 41
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks for the info.
palmtree is offline  
Old 04-04-07, 07:04 AM
  #5  
59'er
 
Mariner Fan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Alexandria, IN
Posts: 3,307

Bikes: LeMond Maillot Jaune, Vintage Trek 520 (1985), 1976 Schwinn Voyageur 2, Miyata 1000 (1985)

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 3 Posts
I won't use them. I doubt you will gain any weight advantage and the cost is prohibitive. They do look cool though.
__________________
Mariner Fan is offline  
Old 04-04-07, 08:04 AM
  #6  
34x25 FTW!
 
oboeguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NYC
Posts: 6,013

Bikes: Kona Jake, Scott CR1, Dahon SpeedPro

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Bzzkill bar plugs FTW
oboeguy is offline  
Old 04-04-07, 10:16 AM
  #7  
big ring
 
MIN's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: philadelphia
Posts: 5,838
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
Originally Posted by Mariner Fan
I won't use them. I doubt you will gain any weight advantage and the cost is prohibitive. They do look cool though.

Weight is not the decisive issue - vibration damping is.

Do the Bontrager Buzzkills work ok?
MIN is offline  
Old 04-04-07, 12:41 PM
  #8  
Warning:Mild Peril
 
Treespeed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Seattle Refugee in Los Angeles
Posts: 3,170

Bikes: Cilo, Surly Pacer, Kona Fire Mountain w/Bob Trailer, Scattante

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts
Not worth it.
Get wider tires.
__________________
Non semper erit aestas.
Treespeed is offline  
Old 04-04-07, 01:48 PM
  #9  
staring at the mountains
 
superdex's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Castle Pines, CO
Posts: 4,560

Bikes: Obed GVR, Fairdale Goodship, Salsa Timberjack 29

Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 394 Post(s)
Liked 197 Times in 112 Posts
I have Performance CF bars on one bike, and FSA Wing Pros (Al) on another, and honestly, being a clyde, the additional flex of the CF bars take a little getting used to. Your choice of tires, wheels, and fork all conribute to the amount of buzz you'll feel at the handlebar. On a price/gram scale, Al wins hands down. Something like a Deda 215 bar would be a worthy upgrade. Or you could do what Treespeed says and get wider tires. Cheaper option, would make a noticeable difference.
superdex is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.