What's the word on the trail regarding 31.8mm Bars? I assume they should be stiffer due to the larger diameter.

I'm thinking about using a carbon bar for my project, however I'm not sure if I sould get a 25.4 or 31.8 unit.

I'm running a Holzfeller OS riser bar on my kikapu, which is an xc setup. You should be fine with a standard or oversized handlebar.

No one has to lend credence to anything I say. That's not going to stop me from saying what I want. As far as riding it, It's only been built since last night, and I have taken it for a test ride. If you have any suggestions on anything that needs to be changed I'm all ears. I already know my stem is way too short.

I run 31.8. Do I notice they are stiffer than a 25.4? No, not really.

I have a bike with over a 1000 miles on it that has a 25.4 handlebar on it. So I think I do have experience with that kind of handlebar. I also rode well over a 100 miles on the 4300 while the OS handlebar was on that bike. Never had any problems either.

So I still stand by my original statement that either should be fine.

run a 31.8.....it just looks cooler

I've run a Holzfeller bar and didn't like it, swapped it out for a Titec El Norte Gold and am much happier.

I have a 25.4 carbon riser on one of the bikes and it's fine...never been worried about it.

I run a 31.8 FSA DH400 but have noticed no difference between that and my 25.4 DH400. I wish bar diameters were standardized across moto and bike platforms. Many more upsweep and backsweep choice would be available to us.

I run the 25.4, I am a hack, I am a heavy weight, and I ride like a plow. No problems ever.

Maybe your sub-handle should be "Furrower" instead of "Wood Licker"

I have 31.8 on my cross bike, and 25.4 on my mountain bikes, both are fine. A couple of potential issues with 31.8 IMO, mounting a lot of stuff on the bars might be more of a pain, especially with a riser, think of trying to mount a light, computer and hrm, might be tight. There was a test in the German road magazine Tour on frame comfort, long story short there wasn't much difference between frames of all materials in comfort, but there WAS a noticable difference between 26 and 31.8 bars. According to them the 26 rode much smoother.

I tend to like the look of a 25.4 bar more than a bulging 31.8...

However I suppose the burlier look of the 31.8 is more fitting to a MTB

i'm not sold on it... i've stuck with 25.4 on both the road and mountain rigs.

I've been running 31.8 for a couple years now. I like 'em. I have an Easton EA70 and a Bontrager Crowbar OS.

The Bonty is a heap. It's plenty stiff, to answer your question. I just don't like the sweep or rise. I really don't like OEM crap anyway.

The Easton is perfect. I cut it down a bout an inch. The sweep and rise are great for my dually. It is also very stiff.

I have read that the Easton CNT bars are actually stronger than the aluminum bars. I just don't think fatigue over time would be stellar so I have stuck with aluminum. I can't afford to replace expensive components every year.

Your kind of a d*ck. Please keep it up!(First pun) It's funny stuff! No matter who your sticking it to. (Second pun)Really, I always chuckle at your responses. It must be hard (third and weakest pun) to control yourself sometimes.

Yep, he is a duck...he quack's me up. (worst pun)

My wifes bike came with some fsa os bars. The only problem with them is they don't taper down until they get right into the control area, so you don't have much room for controls. Also, because of this, there is no room to cut the bar down, and for my wife they are kinda wide. I don't think they are all this way, so look close if bar width is a concern.

I'm still running 25.4, which I'm perfectly happy with. Will probably go to the 31.8 once the bars and stem on the mtb wear out.

I thought 31.8 was standard for mountian biking. I bought a new bike last year and didn't even see any mountain bikes with the smaller bars.

Ya, a lot of new bikes are coming with them on. Its an easy sell, especially trek with the bontrager parts.

Marin puts 31.8 bars on all their bikes these days, even the city hardtails and such...

Absolutely OUTSTANDING, sir!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for your replies... I'll probably go with 31.8 unless I find a screaming deal on 25.4's, I have no real preference.

I'm using 31.8 carbon bars on one of my road bikes, and they seem a lot stiffer than my other bike with 25.4 aluminum bars. It's probably more to do with the material and design.

It would seem a person can't go wrong with either.

Just switched over to FSA oversized bars, low rise with a Thompson stem from my Easton EA50 and Easton bars. Now, is the increased stiffness and "postive" feeling that I notice from the Thompson, the bars or both? I use a Reba Team with the pop lock so I do stand and use the bars as levers more than if I were just riding seated, so yes, these oversized bars do feel better to me. I would not run out and spend $30 to $130 for oversized bars - aluminum or carbon - unless you are in the upgrade mode or replacement with new stuff mode. My FSAs are aluminum and cost about $60. The FSA carbon bars were twice the price and although I could afford it if I chose, passed.

I'm in the New parts mode, as in I don't currently own any

Where do you have your Poplock remote mounted? Is it crowded at all with the low riser bar?

I sure do like those Thompsons! I was planning to build with Race Face Components, to maintain Canadian Content, but damn I like those Thompsons