Options on Carbon Handlebars (which to choose!)
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Options on Carbon Handlebars (which to choose!)
The options, my my, they go on forever! But there are a few I have seen that perhaps may be good.
First off,
Easton EC90
Weight: 195 Grams (as advertised)
Price: $135 Shipped
------------------------------------------------------
XRP
Weight: 210
Price: $167 Shipped
Comments
Really like the XRP look (only putting drop bar tape on), but the easton seems cheaper and lighter. Any info on these bars?
First off,
Easton EC90
Weight: 195 Grams (as advertised)
Price: $135 Shipped
------------------------------------------------------
XRP
Weight: 210
Price: $167 Shipped
Comments
Really like the XRP look (only putting drop bar tape on), but the easton seems cheaper and lighter. Any info on these bars?
Last edited by Dynamic; 03-01-07 at 11:58 PM.
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Originally Posted by Dynamic
The options, my my, they go on forever! But there are a few I have seen that perhaps may be good.
First off,
Easton EC90
Weight: 195 Grams (as advertised)
Price: $125 Shipped
XRP
Weight: 210
Price: $167 Shipped
Comments
Really like the XRP look (only putting drop bar tape on), but the easton seems cheaper and lighter. Any info on these bars?
First off,
Easton EC90
Weight: 195 Grams (as advertised)
Price: $125 Shipped
XRP
Weight: 210
Price: $167 Shipped
Comments
Really like the XRP look (only putting drop bar tape on), but the easton seems cheaper and lighter. Any info on these bars?
the 2nd bar is the ubiquitous bar re-branded by FSA, etc. and also sold by Cadence Cycle, Carbonlord on ebay,etc. they are a great bar (bought a pair last season).
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#6
Ride it like you stole it
Originally Posted by Brycycle
the 2nd bar is the ubiquitous bar re-branded by FSA, etc. and also sold by Cadence Cycle, Carbonlord on ebay,etc. they are a great bar (bought a pair last season).
To the OP, what are you looking for in a bar, ultimate light weight or stiffness or just plain comfort?
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B2's
Try these I think that the wheel are not the only great thing Zipp makes
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Woah, carbonlord's bar looks just like the xrp, just without the logos (and maybe not the wiring system).
K-sword is a tad pricey at $200 :/
the Countour Bars? Perhaps, but was aiming to have the drops cut in with angles (for positioning)
does not have to be the lightest, but if there is such a thing, equilibrium between stiffness and comfort
K-sword is a tad pricey at $200 :/
the Countour Bars? Perhaps, but was aiming to have the drops cut in with angles (for positioning)
does not have to be the lightest, but if there is such a thing, equilibrium between stiffness and comfort
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My personal opinion on which to choose is "none". But I'm just the kind of guy who doesn't really like carbon bars. I'd rather have a few extra grams and a little sturdier of a bar. Otherwise, the K-Sword is a cool bar.
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Why's that beef? I hear that carbon bars can snap, but frankly, I do not weigh all that much, nor do I put much pressure on my drops (always on drops basically). Maybe its because they snap?
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https://cgi.ebay.com/Easton-EC90-Hand...QQcmdZViewItem
lightly used.
$123
and new ones, I guess I misinterpreted.
About $135.
lightly used.
$123
and new ones, I guess I misinterpreted.
About $135.
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Why not? They flex rather easily if you put any pressure on them.
I personally love my carbon K Wings, they are very comfy but when the hammer goes down I can pull them around something rotten, even when I'm on the hoods and I am as weak as a kitten.
Is it a deal breaker? No, not ATM, if I get stronger it may be.
Also if you're always in the drops forget the wing thing, more money for something you ain't gonna use.
I personally love my carbon K Wings, they are very comfy but when the hammer goes down I can pull them around something rotten, even when I'm on the hoods and I am as weak as a kitten.
Is it a deal breaker? No, not ATM, if I get stronger it may be.
Also if you're always in the drops forget the wing thing, more money for something you ain't gonna use.
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Originally Posted by Dynamic
Why's that beef? I hear that carbon bars can snap, but frankly, I do not weigh all that much, nor do I put much pressure on my drops (always on drops basically). Maybe its because they snap?
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Originally Posted by the beef
Basically yep, that they can snap, and also that you don't want to crash on those guys. I can't afford to be $200 in the red after a spill on the road. While it's true that carbon bars can handle many impacts, that same impact suffered a little differently can render a carbon bar useless very quickly. Either way, a carbon bar should be inspected (unwrapped) following any sort of hard impact. Overall, they're a little too fragile for my liking.
I have both carbon winged bars and aluminum round bars. I switched to the carbon winged bars cause I thought they felt so comfortable holding them in the store, bought a pair for each bike. I recently got a new bike with aluminum round bars and I must admit I like them better. I'm gonna get another set and sell the carbon bars off my other bike.
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I was the proud owner of a set of Ritchey Carbon Streem handlebars and I snapped them like a twig in a crash during a race last year. I still like the bars and have another set on a different bike, but I don't race that bike. I do like the flat tops. For the race bike, it's only aluminum from now on. I know that they can break as well, it's just easier to replace them.
Regarding your choices above, I have read that the Easton bars are noodles. I have no personal experience, but I've heard that from multiple sources.
Regarding your choices above, I have read that the Easton bars are noodles. I have no personal experience, but I've heard that from multiple sources.
#18
Ride it like you stole it
^ I read the same thing about the Eastons. Very flexible, unless you weigh next to nothing. The Zipp bars are super stiff and lightweight. If you will never clip on a set of aero bars the SL is probably stiff enough. The SLC2 is even stiffer and is warrantied for use with clip on Aero bars. I have two of the FSA K-Wing carbon bars and from the drops they are soft. Of course I weigh over 200#, so factor that in. Since I need stiff on our Tandem both captain and stoker bars are aluminum.
Some others have used the XRP bars and look-a-likes and said they are ok. I personally have no experience with them.
I would also stay away from used carbon bars or ultra light weight aluminum bars as you do not know the history.
Some others have used the XRP bars and look-a-likes and said they are ok. I personally have no experience with them.
I would also stay away from used carbon bars or ultra light weight aluminum bars as you do not know the history.
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I really like the FSA K-Wings. Kind of pricey, but can be found cheap on eBay. The internal cable routing is really nice, makes the bars more comfy.
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Originally Posted by the beef
Basically yep, that they can snap, and also that you don't want to crash on those guys. I can't afford to be $200 in the red after a spill on the road. While it's true that carbon bars can handle many impacts, that same impact suffered a little differently can render a carbon bar useless very quickly. Either way, a carbon bar should be inspected (unwrapped) following any sort of hard impact. Overall, they're a little too fragile for my liking.
Any bar should be inspected after a hard impact, especially aluminum. I don't seem to crash as often as most BF members, so this hasn't been a concern for me. It's down to if you buy bike parts to ride, or to crash.
I have the ubiquitous XRP/ProCarbon/Winwood/ etc. etc. It's heavy, but incredibly strong, at my 190lbs, I've done over 8000 km on it so far. The ergonomic drop and tops are excellent, and the cable routing for campy is very nice. Very nice finish quality, and the CF bar has done wonders for vibration absorption. I paid $150, but I've seen them badged up to $300.
As for the other bars, few seem to take advantage of the carbon, they are just shaped like tubular ally bars, so why bother?
There are some really cool aluminum hydroformed Deda bars that are shaped in 3D like carbon, internal cable routing sold around $60.
Deda hydradeda:
I also like the FSA compacts, very shallow drop, very easy to access the brifters while in the drops.
Best of all worlds, Controltech hydro aluminum, $99
Last edited by DocRay; 03-02-07 at 02:36 PM.
#21
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Originally Posted by Dynamic
mm thats good to know. Comfy im assuming? They got some interseting curves.
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Specialized S-works SL bars are sweet (I run these on my Tarmac). The Zipp bars are VERY nice as well. If you don't want a wing... save your money ad get some alloy bars. They are just as light and don't cost a fortune to replace.
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Originally Posted by the beef
Basically yep, that they can snap, and also that you don't want to crash on those guys. I can't afford to be $200 in the red after a spill on the road. While it's true that carbon bars can handle many impacts, that same impact suffered a little differently can render a carbon bar useless very quickly. Either way, a carbon bar should be inspected (unwrapped) following any sort of hard impact. Overall, they're a little too fragile for my liking.
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How cheap are the K-Wing's on ebay? Cant seem to find any.
Quite a few different arguements on aluminum vs carbon fiber. Seems both have been deemed strong and weak. K Wing sounds good from what you guys have said, and Controltech does look good too in stats.
Going to not get EC90 because of its form.
Docray makes me want to either get K Wing or the XRP
eep. more research to do on k wing then.
Quite a few different arguements on aluminum vs carbon fiber. Seems both have been deemed strong and weak. K Wing sounds good from what you guys have said, and Controltech does look good too in stats.
Going to not get EC90 because of its form.
Docray makes me want to either get K Wing or the XRP
eep. more research to do on k wing then.
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Originally Posted by Dynamic
How cheap are the K-Wing's on ebay? Cant seem to find any.