Favorite carbon bars?
 

Another "hey, what should I spend my Christmas cash on?" thread...

I'm thinking of going with some new carbon bars. Probably not going to do the integrated FSA Plasma route, for obvious reasons. (Plus, I don't have THAT much Christmas cash...) I was thinking more along the lines of the K Wing. Let me know what you guys have or what you wished you had.

I really like my Ritchey Evolution bars. they're kind of a cross of K Wings and regular anatomic bars.
http://www.ritcheylogic.com/web/Ritc...s_cf_evosl.jpg

I like my FSA K-wing.

http://www.wisecyclebuys.com/Product...a%20k-wing.JPG

why carbon bars? They're not that light, and pros dont ride them because if you accidently bite it, you could possibly loose half of your bars. Besides there are better places to start upgrading your bike than the bars.

I use them because they are extremely comfortable. If you bit it that hard, you will likely want to replace your bars anyhow, because they will bend, dent, deep scratch, etc, regardless of material. No one plans on bailing, and I never have, so I use carbon bars and love them. I toured from LA - Vancouver - Toronto on those bars, and they were amazing. Maybe they are not for you, but they are not made of glass. Don't worry about it.

You should go ride some, and then come back. You might like it. ;)

Well....... I guess I don't "HAVE" to have carbon bars. I've heard they're the most comfortable, but if there's an amazing alu bar out there I'll give it a look. And as far as "better places to start upgrading," who says this is where I'm starting? You don't have any idea what I'm ridin' sonny. ;) Heh.

The best places to upgrade on your bike are the contact points between you and the bike. Make the shoes/pedals, bars and saddle as comfortable, or compatible to you as possible. If a carbon bar - for it's comfort - IS the best for you, then it is one of the best upgrades. What is the best upgrade to you?

Carbon bars are flexable, for sure. I have the easton EC70 carbon wing bars and have no problem flexing them. They are twice as much money and heavier then the Deda bars that almost all the pro's and local racers use. My advice, get some Deda Newton bars, stiffer, and lighter, and only $80. Then you still have plenty of money for something else.

Hmm... point taken. I think one of the things I was thinking might be sweet with the carbon bars is the potential to have the anatomic thing going on like the k wings have. But... I have heard lots of positive stuff from people who have the Deda Newton you mention.

I will never again use carbon bars, although I love how they dampen the vibrations.
I dropped the bike while it was leaned against something, a few weeks later it ended up falling apart while I was climbing during a race.

An under appreciated aluminum bar is on my Cannondale and will be going on the Trek:

the ITM Lite-Luxe wing shape.

Here they are on a sweet bianchi (not mine): http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/1...esfondodg0.jpg


They have a flat top, which is not only really comfortable, but really surprisingly nice when in the downhill tuck with the shoulders resting on the bar... the flat platform really adds comfort and a sense of additional control. The ramps and hoods are great with my 105 shifters (i used some old tape to make the transition perfectly flat... a bit of a kludge, but worth it for the perfect bar feel. The pseudo-anatomic bend gives me infinite positions in the drops and the ends really feel great for sprints. this is the only alu bar that comes close to the shape I want...carbon is expensive and scary, so not an option for me.
Stiff as hell too... but heavy (300 grams or so). They are $41 at universal cycles... a freaking steal, too.

same bar, on a another bianchi:
http://www.bianchiusa.com/08_c2c_nirone_veloce.html

Deda Newtons are solid, reliable bars. You can't go wrong wioth them. Pair them up with the Deda Zero100 stem and seatpost (in the Ti colour) and you'd have a snazzy looking cockpit.

For carbon I use the Deda Electa. I like the damping of a carbon bar (chipseal anyone?). I also like the flat top section for seated climbing. They are designed to the Campagnolo bend and are double grooved.

As for flex? I do regular sprint intervals and have never noticed a problem. I have raced on these bars and they have never failed or let me down in any way.

http://www.dedaelementi.com/index.asp

case in point.

they only take a little wack from the side.


say what you want but I speak from experince, not only do I work at a bike shop but I also race my bike.

I cant tell you what to do, but I can laugh at you when you fail.

poo.

Not all carbon bars are created equal. I too, work in the industry and race my bike.

Let's not waste our breath on this tired, oh so tired, fishmonger's tale.

Bike Nashbar 7075 Bar. Ultimate bling...

:)

Biomorphe bars

http://cgi.ebay.com/46-3T-3TTT-BIOMO...sid=p1638.m118

I currently have the Ritchey WCS Streem. I like them. Very anatomical in shape. Have a groove on the bottom for cable routing with my campy stuff. Not much of any room left on the top to bolt on things like lights and other stuff. Maybe 3/4 of an inch on either side of the stem. The flat top shape is pretty nice even to rest your hands while going flat. Nice bars. I just wished they made them in 38 cm too.

I love my K-Wings. They are so comfy on chipseal roads and while climbing, but they do flex quite a bit when sprinting in the drops. I'm not a racer, so that doesn't bother me much.

I love the ones on other guys' bikes--that way I can still appreciate the cool looks and not have to worry about unwrapping and inspecting them for cracks all the time.

http://www.easton.com

great product,carbon or aluminum