I find bar gel to feel a bit mushy when I put a lot of torque on the handlebars. I'm not saying it wouldn't work better (I don't know) but if the buzz kills worked in that application I'd use them. Having a set of carbon bars (I didn't pay for them) I'd say they are minutely better than aluminum ones. If I ever crash my bike and have to replace my bars I'll be paying for an aluminum set. On the other hand, if you ride on top getting a flat aluminum set over a round carbon set would probably serve you better. Also, I find that if carbon forks, seatpost, and gloves don't solve hand problems a fit is probably in order. I also like my Hed3 as that cuts a little buzz but that has to be the least cost effective way to do it.