thismember

Hey all,

I'm gathering parts to build my all-purpose Salsa La Cruz and am weighing my options for bars. I like the short-n-shallow type and in the past, have tried the following: Salsa Poco, Ritchey Biomax Pro, Easton EC90 Carbon Equipe Pro, and the On One Midge. Of those my favorite is the Ritchey Biomax Pro though I like the flared drops of the Midge. Unfortunately, the extreme width of the Midge (a whopping 58cm ) is the only reason I will not run this on my frame (I typically run a 42cm bar though I could manage a 44cm)...58cm feels a tad MTBish for me.

At any rate, in my search for frames I happened to come across the Kona Jake the Snake which had a curious looking bar on it: the FSA RD30 OS. It has a very shallow drop and looks to have some flare as well. I googled it with no luck. Has anyone any experience with this bar or specs, extra pictures, where to buy one, etc???

Here's a picture for reference.

M_S

No idea on that bar, though I did like the feel of it when I rode one of those Jake the Snakes. I don't remeber it having much flare, though this was back in the fall, so my memory is shaky.

I also like the biomax, but am thinking that the Salsa Bell Lap would be a good compromise seeing as it has a good bit of flare but is nowhere near that of the midge. I believe it is also available in 42, though personally I like a slightly wider bar, so I'll go for the 46.

A little bit of searching revealed this bar. Different name than the one on the Kona spec sheet, but it looks awfully similar.

isotopesope

this bar seems pretty close. 125mm drop and 80mm reach. the rd-30 means it's probably on fsa's lower end, as the omega bar suggests by it's weight.

thismember

Thanks guys - def looks like the Omega. If only the Bell Lap had a shallower drop it would be perfect. I think for now I'll try the Omega...and if I like it, maybe I'll have to splurge and get the K-Force carbon - same specs less 30g, more bling
Totally unnecessary, but tempting nevertheless.

M_S

I wouldn't use a carbon bar for cross, but that's your perogative I guess.

TimJ

If you do get the omega, come back and let us know how you like it. I like shallow drop, short reach bars too. I've got a biomax right now and I think it'd be perfect with a little more flare and a slightly less prominent bump.