I am in the market for new bars and have found the shape I like in a carbon bar, the Easton EC90 SLX3. I am hesitant to spend the money on carbon bars due to possible crash damage, but wonder if carbon really offers any other advantages like road shock dampening as advertised.

I moved from a Deda Newton anatomic ALU bar to a Reynolds Ouzo Pro carbon bar, there is definitely more shock absorption from the carbon bars and I can't sense any lack of stiffness when pulling on them . The Reynolds were also lighter by about 60grams.

Carbon bars are a complete waste of ****ing money. Crash or bang it once and you're looking at a replacement. Stick with AL handlebars. If you're rich, and like to spend money by all means.

I love the ride of mine; not the shape so much. I didn't and wouldn't pay retail but you can find good prices on Ebay for Ritchey bars at least. Not worth $200+ but < $150 and they're worth a shot. I don't race so I'm not yanking on them all day. I spend 90% of my time on the hoods.

I'm glad to hear that cause I just cheaped out and ordered aluminium instead of carbon to save a couple hun.

Road shock damping, damping! Dampening would be the act of making something slightly wet. Just one of those crazy-making malapropisms for me.

Anyway, I happen to think that carbon bars are silly, but opinions vary. If you're having comfort issues, handlebar material is probably one of the last places you should look, though.

Just get a comfy pair of gloves.

My 2 cents. Best bars ever made are the ITM carbon over alum. wing bar. Very comfy and I do not notice any real road buzz difference over all carbon bars. Not going to win the weight wennie contest either.

Lennard Zinn (the world's most famous bicycle mechanic and columnist for Velonews magazine) asked 4 carbon handlebar manufacturers if their products were more comfortable than aluminum handlebars. 3 of them said NO.

https://www.velonews.com/article/7391

A high-end carbon handlebar can be stiffer and lighter weight than aluminum, but even the manufacturers refuse to claim more comfortable.

If a carbon bike can be more comfortable than an aluminum one I fail to see why a carbon bar can't be more comfortable than an aluminum one.

Aluminum bar + Bontrager Buzzkill plugs = $$ for some other upgrade

Aluminum bar + Fizik Bar Gel you mean

I find bar gel to feel a bit mushy when I put a lot of torque on the handlebars. I'm not saying it wouldn't work better (I don't know) but if the buzz kills worked in that application I'd use them. Having a set of carbon bars (I didn't pay for them) I'd say they are minutely better than aluminum ones. If I ever crash my bike and have to replace my bars I'll be paying for an aluminum set. On the other hand, if you ride on top getting a flat aluminum set over a round carbon set would probably serve you better. Also, I find that if carbon forks, seatpost, and gloves don't solve hand problems a fit is probably in order. I also like my Hed3 as that cuts a little buzz but that has to be the least cost effective way to do it.

I have carbon bars and love them. Nice and comfy. Just don't crash, dummy.

Been a long winter huh?

I would have done it but I was beat to it.

https://www.deltacycle.com/product.php?g=36

I like my carbon bars. I believe they dampen the road vibration. Perception is reality.

I went with carbon because of the shape and the way the cables were routed. Price was not a consideration. The contact points on the bike have to be right, the saddle, the bars and the pedals. Those three points make up a lot of how the bike feels.

Words sometimes have more than one meaning. I know it sounds crazy but its true, look it up.

Main Entry:
damp·en Listen to the pronunciation of dampen
Pronunciation:
\ˈdam-pən\
Function:
verb

1 : to check or diminish the activity or vigor of : deaden <the heat dampened our spirits>
2 : to become deadened or depressed

I have EC90 SLX3 on one of my bikes. They feel great. When I bought the frame the lbs had a deal on a full EC90 finishing kit which I couldn't resist. I also have the EC90 stem. I was actually quite surprised that the bar/ stem combination is stiffer then I expected.

The bike hasn't been crashed but it has been dropped and no, despite what you hear around here, they components didn't explode.

I also have Ritchey aluminium bars on another bike. The difference between the two as far as vibration is not really noticeable as there are many other factors at play (frame, stem, wheels etc.).

So do I like my carbon bars? yes. Would I pay a massive premium for them? probably not.

I have used both aluminum and carbon handlebars over the last few years. I think my FSA K-force compact carbon bars are stiffer than any aluminum bars I have tried. They also seem to kill a lot of road buzz, but I primarily like the stiffness and the small drop and reach.

While the dictionary definition may fit, it does not make it the proper term. I have never seen the term dampen used in any technical text when referring to controlling an oscillation. The proper term is to damp vibration, not dampen it.

You do have a point. I've always fared better on red bikes.

Even on a rainy ride if the bars are wet?