Carbon Bar / Stem Question
 

I just purchased a 2022 Farley 9.6 and I was thinking of replacing the AL bars w/ Carbon. The question is: do I need to replace my AL Stem with Carbon as well?

I’m not going to jump the bike, I’m just looking for comfort.

Thanks

You do not need to replace your stem, but use some carbon assembly compound and adhere to the clamping torque specs on the bar.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8d6f64d585.jpg

If you think changing your bars to CF will improve comfort, you are wrong. A different bar might be more comfortable but not because it is CF. And no, you don't need to get a CF stem. I have an Al stem and CF bars with nearly 70K miles on them. Zero issues.

Thank you both for your comments. A little weigh savings never hurt.

I suppose the next question would be: are super expensive Carbon bars worth the extra cost over the $50.00 ones?

Saving weight
 

That bike weighs in at over 28 lbs
If you want to shed weight...
I can think of only one way to save 28+ pounds !
And it's not changing the Bars.


Barry

A more serious answer.
Work out was you can save on a Grams per Dollar scale.
You may find that even tires / tubes are a cheaper weight saving than bars.
Cassette is another place I've searched for savings.
Happy hunting.​​​​​​​

I don't have any experience with inexpensive carbon bars, but as crucial as handlebar integrity is, that's not the place I'd choose to save $.

There might be bettter options If you are looking for "comfort" in terms of vibration reduction? look into suspension stems maybe?

Unequivocally wrong.

Carbon bars have long been known to damp some frequencies of vibration, leading to more comfort. Extrapolate the change to an entire frameset and the ride quality can be downright shockingly different.

Damping out unwanted buzz or vibration, improves comfort.

Myth, plain and simple.

No, carbon bars do not dampen out vibrations. They are quite rigid, and the tiny amount of bending they do is elastic bending. Elastic structures cannot absorb vibrations.

If you want a more comfortable cockpit, get some cushy bar tape or squishy grips (or padded gloves), and ignore the myth and lore.

Hoo boy. Can't we just relegate this discussion to the other "materials" thread already in progress? Or just review the hundreds of inconclusive threads just like it?

I’ve noticed a difference in vibration damping on flat bars going to CF. Not massive but it is there. Likely makes no practical difference on a town bike, but on a MTB ridden in rough terrain it does.

The.differwnce is more noticeable with drop bars.

Whether it is “worth” the extra cost for that and the weight savings is entirely subjective

I don't screw around with cheap CF bars. I stuck with reputable brands,

I wouldn't buy cheap carbon stuff that is crucial. Maybe a carbon derailleur cage or something silly like that but I still wouldn't bother. If I am really interested in comfort I might try some some titanium bars or maybe look at the vibracore bars from Spank. I would also look at some different grips or just not worry so much.

If you want carbon bars go for it but don't buy them to get more comfort or anything and don't waste the time on the cheap stuff. Me personally I would go for some Koga Denham or Velo Orange Crazy Bars or Surly Moloko bars. Assuming you are going to have fun on the bike maybe do a little camping and stuff those would be a good way to go and the Moloko Bars are nice because they are 4130 chromoly.

Just to balance one piece of totally subjective data with another, I have never noticed any difference whatsoever between lightweight quality aluminum bars and lightweight quality carbon fiber bars.

Now, bar tape and underlying gel cushioning - yes there is a difference for me. But the bars, no.

I haven't been afflicted by weight-weenieism for a few years but IIRC, you can get inexpensive aluminum road bars weighting, say, 300 grams, and good CF bars aren't much lighter than 200 grams? I could be wrong, but saving maybe 3 ounces on a 29 pound bike? Anyone can spend their money anyway they want. Me? I'd save my money and in the future get a lightweight bike where lightweight parts are appropriate. Plus, for much cheaper, maybe for $0 if they need to be replaced anyway, you can save quite a bit of weight with higher quality tires and lightweight tubes and improve the ride much more than any handlebar switch will do (which, imho is none for the bars).

No need to "balance" anything. Just give your opinion and move on.

Yes, it is all subjective, and that is ultimately that matters in this case: How do the bars FEEL.

Whew, I guess I'll move right on then!

I have noticed some vibration dampening with carbon forks, carbon seatpost and carbon handlebars.
There is a reason why virtually every rigid fork out there is made of carbon and pretty much none made of aluminum.

Its a fat bike, lower the tire pressure for more comfort.

I think you might be surprised by the number of aluminum forks out there.

a top quality carbon riser bar will weigh significantly less than the OEM alloy riser bar

some of the options include Enve, Ritchey (Superlogic), Thomson ... not sure if Easton still produced

grips can also vary in weight

My apologies for the terseness of my response.

​​​​​​​In a case like this, I would have to say no.

Anyone who has owned an older alloy frameset/bar combo and gone to a really modern carbon frameset/bar combo that rides gravel or rough roads knows this is crap.

Same exact tires/pressure going from my old alloy Crockett with alloy bars to a modern TCX with carbon frame and bars it's light years different on rough terrain. The Crockett would beat the hell out of me. And I ran more bar tape on the Crockett.

Carbon layup strategy matters.

Oops, I just realized the OP has a Fat Bike.

I swapped the stock Al bar on my Fat Bike for a CF one shortly after getting it, so I can’t really compare the ride difference.

One advantage I have read about is that CF does not conduct heat nearly as efficiently as Al, so in the winter the grips are not as cold.

To be honest, there are probably better ways to invest $170 in your bike (tires, likely) other than a CF bar just for the hell of it. If you find you want a new bar for fit reasons (like wider or a different sweep) then it can be worth considering.

Edit: OK, now I see that bike comes with pretty decent tires, Those might already be what you want. Maybe save for a more winter or summer specific set.

100 gram reduction would be significant - approx 33% reduction

100 gram weight reduction for $100 (extra) - it can be a challenge to find weight reduction like this

and many wide alloy riser bars are over 300 grams

700 gram steel handlebar ?

on a bike with an OCLV carbon fiber frame ?