Does a carbon bar = greater comfort?
06-13-13, 03:55 PM
#1
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Does a carbon bar = greater comfort?
And if so, what are your favorite bang for the buck choices?
Thanks!
Thanks!
06-13-13, 03:57 PM
#2
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IME carbon bars =slightly less weight on the bike, and a lot less weight in the wallet.
some will say they "dampen" vibration better...just adjust the air in your tires and ride on.
some will say they "dampen" vibration better...just adjust the air in your tires and ride on.
06-13-13, 03:58 PM
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They just cost more to replace when you wreck and break them.
06-13-13, 04:02 PM
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06-13-13, 04:05 PM
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I only chose carbon bars because they came in ergo shapes. Now aluminum bars are coming in ergo shapes too. Any comfort that carbon bars might provide would probably be hard to notice.
06-13-13, 04:15 PM
#7
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i found some easton ec90slx bars for $90 a while back. they're fantastic compared to the aluminum bars on the bulk of my bikes.
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06-13-13, 04:20 PM
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I had a weird dream one time that I was riding with carbon handlebars (Zipp Vuka, my favorite), and suddenly the bar snapped while standing and sprinting on both sides next to the stem, and woke up right before my face hit the stem, and that pretty much swore off me ever getting carbon handlebars. Also I'm too poor to afford them.
06-13-13, 04:28 PM
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I have a Cinelli Ram on one bike and a Cinelli Vai on another. I cannot feel any difference in comfort.
06-13-13, 04:56 PM
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I bought a pair and honestly could not feel any ride difference.
06-13-13, 05:29 PM
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06-13-13, 07:29 PM
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I think solid steel bars will take care of everyone's worries...
Pulease...
Pulease...
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Wut
Wut
06-13-13, 07:29 PM
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I got carbon bars on one bike and didn't notice any difference at first. But after a year of riding and comparing them to al, I do notice now. It's not night and day but the comfort is there
06-13-13, 07:43 PM
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I had a weird dream one time that I was riding with carbon handlebars (Zipp Vuka, my favorite), and suddenly the bar snapped while standing and sprinting on both sides next to the stem, and woke up right before my face hit the stem, and that pretty much swore off me ever getting carbon handlebars. Also I'm too poor to afford them.
I've snapped 3 bars in my life. ALL were alloy. It fatigues, too folks. It can also be damaged in a crash and should be inspected as well.
I've ridden and raced on carbon bars for more than a decade without incident. I've also never seen a carbon bar break for no reason. Sure, they can be damaged in a crash but so can alloy. And if you bend your alloy bar it needs to be replaced, too.
Carbon dampens low frequency vibrations meaning it is more comfortable on LONGER rides. If you're doing sub 3hr rides or racing crits then alloy is a more practical choice. Riders doing longer rides like centuries or grand fondos can benefit from carbon.
06-13-13, 11:24 PM
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When I first started riding, I rode a cheaper bike that came with an alloy bar.
Eventually, I decided to upgrade to a carbon bar and tried several. Along the way, I found that the shape of the carbon bar, especially the tops and the arc of the drops really makes a difference in road vibration absorption and thus comfort. However, there also some carbon bars that are stiff as nails and stiffer than alloy bars and some that may be too flexy and/or mute the road feel too much, so it is a balance.
I would recommend choosing the carbon handle bar in combination with an all carbon fork (as oppose to a carbon fork but aluminium steering column) and a stem that matches the color of the fork, handle bar, and seatpost. I think that there is probably no difference between carbon stems and alloy stems (but I got a carbon stem anyway).
I really like ENVE stuff even though some have commented that the rounded handle bar end in conjunction with matte black handle bar tape makes them look like "a pair of deuces in the bowl". Well, you should first please yourself, your hands and your shoulders since it is your wallet that has to put up with your habit.
Mark
Eventually, I decided to upgrade to a carbon bar and tried several. Along the way, I found that the shape of the carbon bar, especially the tops and the arc of the drops really makes a difference in road vibration absorption and thus comfort. However, there also some carbon bars that are stiff as nails and stiffer than alloy bars and some that may be too flexy and/or mute the road feel too much, so it is a balance.
I would recommend choosing the carbon handle bar in combination with an all carbon fork (as oppose to a carbon fork but aluminium steering column) and a stem that matches the color of the fork, handle bar, and seatpost. I think that there is probably no difference between carbon stems and alloy stems (but I got a carbon stem anyway).
I really like ENVE stuff even though some have commented that the rounded handle bar end in conjunction with matte black handle bar tape makes them look like "a pair of deuces in the bowl". Well, you should first please yourself, your hands and your shoulders since it is your wallet that has to put up with your habit.
Mark
06-13-13, 11:50 PM
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Best bang for your buck...I was going to say the 3T Ergonova's at art's cyclery for half off is a good deal, but they're sold out. Got mine just in time!
https://www.artscyclery.com/descpage-3TENLHO.html
https://www.artscyclery.com/descpage-3TENLHO.html
06-14-13, 04:41 AM
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Your chamois absorbs more than a any seat post ( unless you have one with a shock absorber)
Your bar tape and gloves (if you wear them) absorb more than any stem or bar
Learn to ride softer, lower your tire pressure and get the stiffest bars, stem and seat post you can.
Your bar tape and gloves (if you wear them) absorb more than any stem or bar
Learn to ride softer, lower your tire pressure and get the stiffest bars, stem and seat post you can.
06-14-13, 06:28 AM
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06-14-13, 07:40 AM
#23
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There is zero difference in comfort between a carbon bar and an alloy bar. Often there's only an extremely minimal weight difference as well. I have a carbon bar and stem on my road bike only because I got them both for $90 total two years ago straight from Xiamen. They look cool and I like the shape but there's no difference performance-wise vs. a quality alloy setup. They are very robust, it would take a serious crash to break these bars.
06-14-13, 07:51 AM
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06-14-13, 07:57 AM
#25
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I went the other direction and replaced the alloy bars with vintage chromed steel drops. Crazy smooth.
I went the other direction and replaced the alloy bars with vintage chromed steel drops. Crazy smooth.