Does a carbon bar = greater comfort?
06-14-13, 08:11 AM
#26
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I replaced Kestrel EMS Pro carbon bars with Zipp Service Course SL aluminum bars. Love the Zipps! I really prefer the stiff/solid feel of the aluminum bars. Oh, and yeah, I do really like the Short & Shallow compact design as well.
06-14-13, 08:57 AM
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06-14-13, 08:59 AM
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06-14-13, 09:00 AM
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I have the same handlebars on both of my bikes, in carbon on the fun ride and aluminum on the commuter. The alu bars rattle a little more. It isn't major, but I notice it on crappy pavement.
06-14-13, 09:03 AM
#30
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if you sweat a lot, ride in a high humdity environment, and/or use the bike on a trainer, you should check your aluminum bars for corrossion periodically.
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06-14-13, 09:51 AM
#31
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and preemptively replace. had a teammate in a race wind up with only half a bar attached to the stem, and the other half in his right hand. zero fun for him. if you have only one bike, perhaps 3-5 years would be a reasonable service life?
06-14-13, 10:07 AM
#32
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Used a carbon for a few years, then switched back to aluminum. Zipp makes a beautiful aluminum bar in their "Service Course" series. I noticed no real difference, of course my entire bike is carbon. (Look 585). On a super rigid aluminum or steel bike, carbon bars might make more of a difference.
06-14-13, 02:10 PM
#33
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I switched to a carbon seat post, handlebars and went to 25s (at 100 PSI). I feel like I am riding a new bike. The comfort level on my bike went way up. I noticed an improvement with each change. Going from 23s at 120PSI to 25s at 100PSI was a bigger ride improvement than the carbon bars. Since all three additions were purchase on sale/clearance and cost less than $200, I consider it money well spent.
I would not have liked them in my younger, more aggressive riding days. You can feel the flex while in the drops while riding and especially sprinting. Now I am more of an endurance type of rider, comfort is king. The improvements that I noticed, now have me thinking about getting carbon bike.
I would not have liked them in my younger, more aggressive riding days. You can feel the flex while in the drops while riding and especially sprinting. Now I am more of an endurance type of rider, comfort is king. The improvements that I noticed, now have me thinking about getting carbon bike.
06-15-13, 05:01 AM
#35
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As long as you don't ride them in the sun or rain, carbon is fine. In my dreams, it is always shady and 20 degrees c and I keep lapping a midget on a horse.
I have 2 sets of Easton EC90. Dropped them crashed one set and they are fine. They do dampen some vibration but they don't smooth out cobblestone if that is what you are expecting.
I have 2 sets of Easton EC90. Dropped them crashed one set and they are fine. They do dampen some vibration but they don't smooth out cobblestone if that is what you are expecting.
