Originally Posted by charlisity
Any decent set will do fine. Decent ones will have bar-to-bar contact over most of the mounting surface. Cheap ones will have a rail-like construction that pinches tight to stay in place. This rail leads to a weaker connection and will damage your handlebar if you tighten it enough.
Every barend I've ever seen has a pinch clamp to hold them in place...even the cheapest ones. I have no idea what a "rail-like construction" is. A good cheap carbon barend are the
Titec Plutos . I've owned other Titecs and have no complaints.
Originally Posted by charlisity
Installation method is a personal choice. I leave my grips full length so my hand position is just a tad closer together. Some don't like this and cut the grip to make up for the bar width. Its just a matter of taste.
I agree. I move mine inboard on the bar by injecting water under the grip (
Do not use WD-40!
). You may want to take the grip off entirely and spray hairspray into the grip and reinstall. This insures that you grips will be restuck on the bar.
Originally Posted by charlisity
Your bars should already come with end caps or be welded closed at the end. I never had to try, but regular bar caps might work here too.
I've never seen a bar that is welded closed. Never. Every single one I've ever seen has an open end that is closed with a plug. For plugs you can use the extra cheap plastic ones that come with bars or you can get ones that go in road bars (they work in mountain bike bars) like or
these from Velox or cool ones like
these plastic ones or uber cool ones like
these from Purely Custom. You can even get custom designs from Purely Custom.