Aftermarket MTB bars, worthwhile or just bling?
Poll: Aftermarket MTB bars, worthwhile or just bling?
Total Members Polled: 19
Discussion
My Trance 29 came with the Giant OEM alloy bar - 35Ø, 780mm, 20mm rise.
I found it a bit low in the front end (even with all the spacers) so after a while I replaced it with a second hand Specialized OEM bar - 31.8Ø, 780mm, 27mm rise. Used the 45mm stem that came with it (cf 40mm original) for obvious 35/31.8 Ø reasons.
That was a definite improvement to me - more stable and confident downhill, jumping and most cornering and not high enough to cause any issues climbing. I was surprised how much difference the extra 7mm of rise made to the feel.
I'm not unhappy with that setup at all, but idly wondering if I'd get even more improvement with an aftermarket bar (Renthal Fatbar or similar) - but is there really a significant improvement in feel over an OEM bar to be worth the money? Sticking with alloy, I don't want to spend carbon money.
I've read a few articles extolling the virtues of aftermarket bars, but those articles usually come from places that sell bike parts or make their money from people advertising bike parts, so always a grain of salt there.
What say you, MTB gurus of PH?
Wriggly Beast trail by Ben, on Flickr
I found it a bit low in the front end (even with all the spacers) so after a while I replaced it with a second hand Specialized OEM bar - 31.8Ø, 780mm, 27mm rise. Used the 45mm stem that came with it (cf 40mm original) for obvious 35/31.8 Ø reasons.
That was a definite improvement to me - more stable and confident downhill, jumping and most cornering and not high enough to cause any issues climbing. I was surprised how much difference the extra 7mm of rise made to the feel.
I'm not unhappy with that setup at all, but idly wondering if I'd get even more improvement with an aftermarket bar (Renthal Fatbar or similar) - but is there really a significant improvement in feel over an OEM bar to be worth the money? Sticking with alloy, I don't want to spend carbon money.
I've read a few articles extolling the virtues of aftermarket bars, but those articles usually come from places that sell bike parts or make their money from people advertising bike parts, so always a grain of salt there.
What say you, MTB gurus of PH?
Wriggly Beast trail by Ben, on FlickrI've used carbon and alu bars over the past 10 years or so, and for the last 3-4 years have used only alu - I couldn't notice any difference between the two materials by the time I've put on decent grips, gloves and a 160mm fork, and couldn't be arsed with the 100-200% price premium.
If you've got the size/shape that you like, then get a bar you like. Current bar on my Yeti is a Sixpack Kamikaze - works fine for me. Anyway, it'll be the only sixpack on the bike... My LBS recommended Funn previously, and I had a Full-On on my last bike, in a funky bright blue. I think it was about GBP35 from CRC back then - the RaceFace Next carbon bar that it replaced was about 3 or 4 times that price.
I think there's a real sense of Emperor's New Clothes about many components, and bars is one. I'm not saying its not a good idea to have top notch stuff even if your riding isn't world class, and I'm as guilty as others, but you just need to be honest as to why you're buying such stuff.
TL;DR - if it fits, and works for you, chances are having some other company's name on it isn't going to change how your bike feels.
If you've got the size/shape that you like, then get a bar you like. Current bar on my Yeti is a Sixpack Kamikaze - works fine for me. Anyway, it'll be the only sixpack on the bike... My LBS recommended Funn previously, and I had a Full-On on my last bike, in a funky bright blue. I think it was about GBP35 from CRC back then - the RaceFace Next carbon bar that it replaced was about 3 or 4 times that price.
I think there's a real sense of Emperor's New Clothes about many components, and bars is one. I'm not saying its not a good idea to have top notch stuff even if your riding isn't world class, and I'm as guilty as others, but you just need to be honest as to why you're buying such stuff.
TL;DR - if it fits, and works for you, chances are having some other company's name on it isn't going to change how your bike feels.
Edited by PomBstard on Tuesday 10th November 02:50
Depends. If the OEM bars fit you and your preferred set up and riding style then no. But I've found higher rise bars to work really well on a few of my bikes.
More confidence downhill, and less weight on the hands/wrists on longer rides.
They're particularly useful for bike fit when you're in-between bike sizes.
More confidence downhill, and less weight on the hands/wrists on longer rides.
They're particularly useful for bike fit when you're in-between bike sizes.
Mostly snake oil. I've got about 10 bars in the garage from cheapo ally to carbon from enve, nukeproof, one-up, to vibro-damped ally from spank. Best of the bunch was the one-up. Vertical comiance is noticeable. But not worth it on a full sus.
Looking at your bike set-up, it looks like either your bike is too small (reach too short) or you have limited flexibility in your hips / dpine.
On a modern Enduro / Trail bike you need a relatively low front end because the slacker head angles demands a much more active body position to weight the front. Raising the bars takes weight off.
It would be worth borrowing a bike with a longer reach to see what you think.
Looking at your bike set-up, it looks like either your bike is too small (reach too short) or you have limited flexibility in your hips / dpine.
On a modern Enduro / Trail bike you need a relatively low front end because the slacker head angles demands a much more active body position to weight the front. Raising the bars takes weight off.
It would be worth borrowing a bike with a longer reach to see what you think.
Used to get pins and needles in my hands after long and fast descents on the mtb. Swapped the alloy bars for renthal carbon ones and haven’t had the problems since. Potentially placebo/ coincidence but I like to think it’s helped to reduce the buzz and vibrations from bars.
Also worth it if you want to try wider bars and a high rise.
Also worth it if you want to try wider bars and a high rise.
Thanks for the feedback, some good info to think about.
Moving in the right direction, but probably still room for improvement.
Its a pretty good fit for me in general, I was just thinking about potential improvements.
I experimented tonight with lowering the stem by a 5mm spacer for an hours ride - it did feel a bit easier to load the front wheel in flat loose corners, but flat pedalling position felt noticeably heavier on the hands - on balance the higher bar feels a better compromise for me.
Having said that, thinking out loud here I would rather a bit more reach than a bit less - stem spacers effectively reduce reach (IIRC by around half their height) due to the head tube angle, so if I got a bar with more rise and reduced the spacer height to compensate then I could get my preferred bar height with a bit more reach than my current setup. I think a straighter sweep of bar would fit my natural wrist position better and help with that too.
JB8 said:
Depends. If the OEM bars fit you and your preferred set up and riding style then no. But I've found higher rise bars to work really well on a few of my bikes.
More confidence downhill, and less weight on the hands/wrists on longer rides.
They're particularly useful for bike fit when you're in-between bike sizes.
I've definitely found those improvements with the Specialized bar on it at the moment even though its only 7mm higher, its an OEM bar too just one from a different bike More confidence downhill, and less weight on the hands/wrists on longer rides.
They're particularly useful for bike fit when you're in-between bike sizes.
Moving in the right direction, but probably still room for improvement.take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey said:
...
Looking at your bike set-up, it looks like either your bike is too small (reach too short) or you have limited flexibility in your hips / dpine.
On a modern Enduro / Trail bike you need a relatively low front end because the slacker head angles demands a much more active body position to weight the front. Raising the bars takes weight off.
It would be worth borrowing a bike with a longer reach to see what you think.
I'm well within Giant's recommended height range for an M Trance (1.77m, they say 1.71-1.80 for M), its not all that slack by modern standards at 66.5° HTA. Reach is 442mm, I don't have any trouble keeping the front weighted on climbs with the 27mm rise bar. Seat up in pedalling position is more or less level with top of grips with my current setup.Looking at your bike set-up, it looks like either your bike is too small (reach too short) or you have limited flexibility in your hips / dpine.
On a modern Enduro / Trail bike you need a relatively low front end because the slacker head angles demands a much more active body position to weight the front. Raising the bars takes weight off.
It would be worth borrowing a bike with a longer reach to see what you think.
Its a pretty good fit for me in general, I was just thinking about potential improvements.
I experimented tonight with lowering the stem by a 5mm spacer for an hours ride - it did feel a bit easier to load the front wheel in flat loose corners, but flat pedalling position felt noticeably heavier on the hands - on balance the higher bar feels a better compromise for me.
Having said that, thinking out loud here I would rather a bit more reach than a bit less - stem spacers effectively reduce reach (IIRC by around half their height) due to the head tube angle, so if I got a bar with more rise and reduced the spacer height to compensate then I could get my preferred bar height with a bit more reach than my current setup. I think a straighter sweep of bar would fit my natural wrist position better and help with that too.
Edited by GravelBen on Wednesday 11th November 11:47
Based on what you've said, I think you'd benefit from a longer bike. Your set up looks exactly like my old Turner with respect to bar position which was too small despite being xl. See if you can borrow a longer bike - you should find you don't have tweek between comfort, climbing and descending.
For most riders, longer bikes are the best thing to happen to mtb since mtb. You feel centred in them rather than perched on top.
For example, my wife is 6ft and rides an xl 2016 Evil Insurgent - reach is 468mm. Fits her perfectly.
I'm 195cm and my bikes are 535mm and 520mm reach respectively.
For most riders, longer bikes are the best thing to happen to mtb since mtb. You feel centred in them rather than perched on top.
For example, my wife is 6ft and rides an xl 2016 Evil Insurgent - reach is 468mm. Fits her perfectly.
I'm 195cm and my bikes are 535mm and 520mm reach respectively.
Edited by take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey on Thursday 12th November 06:28
Edited by take-good-care-of-the-forest-dewey on Friday 13th November 11:18
On my mountain bike after about 4 years of hard use there are just 3 original parts left on the whole bike, the frame, crank arms and the handle bar. None have worn out, got damaged or required upgrading for any performance gain. I would certainly say they are in the just bling group.
I love riding but I’m not ‘into’ bikes like the guys I ride with so I’m extra sceptical about certain products and view a lot of it as snake oil.
However, I acquired a Burgtec carbon bar from a friend for silly cheap after I’d helped him out with something and I’ve got to say I did notice less chatter through the grips and my hands were less fatigued after a ride.
However, I acquired a Burgtec carbon bar from a friend for silly cheap after I’d helped him out with something and I’ve got to say I did notice less chatter through the grips and my hands were less fatigued after a ride.
rs4al said:
I bought a one up carbon bar, it’s been designed to flex in certain directions and I certainly has made a difference, only problem is it’s 35mm so new stem required.
I was just going to post something similar. I just swapped a pair of 35mm 780mm wide Easton Havoc carbon bars for One Ups and the difference is very noticeable.My 2p
What expensive bars CAN't do:
Reduce weight in any meaningful way. They can be lighter, but if you're swapping from the cheapest OEM, non-branded Alu bar to a £300 Carbon bar, the only meaningful change in perceived weight of the bike will be a placebo. Adding a set of Renthal Carbon bars to a Trance 29 would reduce the weight of it from 13.54kg to 13.34kg at best.
Reduce / remove trail buzz or make the bike more 'comfortable' in any meaningful way. It's not like I've been able to complete a 15 bar testing session, but I can't tell the difference between Carbon and Au bars I've had. In theory you can 'tune' carbon to give in a certain direction and all that, because they're not offering a bespoke bar for every rider weight, fork, front tyre combo, it's not going to be meaningful. I'm yet to read a review of any bar that makes that claim being substantiated.
Change the handling characteristic of your bike Nope, won't make a blind bit of difference, unless they're a different shape.
Offer a bar that's going to reduce the chances of a catastrophic failure whilst riding. This almost never happens, I've seen bars bend, I've seen bars break, but in all cases it's been immediately after hitting something very hard.
He's Kelly McGarry (God rest his soul) testing the strength of his MTB bars to the max. You'll notice they're doing a better job than the rest of his bike, and indeed his body.
What expensive bars CAN do:
Offer a better range of widths, rises, backsweeps etc so if you're know what you're doing you can improve the comfort and handling of your bike.
Look really cool, you can have different colours, amazing finishes, cool brands etc.
Score Trail Centre Car Park points.
What expensive bars CAN't do:
Reduce weight in any meaningful way. They can be lighter, but if you're swapping from the cheapest OEM, non-branded Alu bar to a £300 Carbon bar, the only meaningful change in perceived weight of the bike will be a placebo. Adding a set of Renthal Carbon bars to a Trance 29 would reduce the weight of it from 13.54kg to 13.34kg at best.
Reduce / remove trail buzz or make the bike more 'comfortable' in any meaningful way. It's not like I've been able to complete a 15 bar testing session, but I can't tell the difference between Carbon and Au bars I've had. In theory you can 'tune' carbon to give in a certain direction and all that, because they're not offering a bespoke bar for every rider weight, fork, front tyre combo, it's not going to be meaningful. I'm yet to read a review of any bar that makes that claim being substantiated.
Change the handling characteristic of your bike Nope, won't make a blind bit of difference, unless they're a different shape.
Offer a bar that's going to reduce the chances of a catastrophic failure whilst riding. This almost never happens, I've seen bars bend, I've seen bars break, but in all cases it's been immediately after hitting something very hard.
He's Kelly McGarry (God rest his soul) testing the strength of his MTB bars to the max. You'll notice they're doing a better job than the rest of his bike, and indeed his body.
What expensive bars CAN do:
Offer a better range of widths, rises, backsweeps etc so if you're know what you're doing you can improve the comfort and handling of your bike.
Look really cool, you can have different colours, amazing finishes, cool brands etc.
Score Trail Centre Car Park points.
I'm looking to raise my bar slightly so plan to get a Renthal 40mm rise, I could get a cheaper one but I've always liked the Matt gold colour and image. So as with most bike/car/tech purchases I buy things as I need it, but choose the cool looking one that is usually spec'd far beyond my needs/talent.
Bars aren't an expensive change so if you change them just for looks it's no issue, a good looking bike always rides better.
Bars aren't an expensive change so if you change them just for looks it's no issue, a good looking bike always rides better.
Not all bars are created equal in my experience...
Race Face bars are bloody awful and unnecessarily stiff. My Next Carbon bars were awful and battered my hands / arms on descents.
The big thing for me is shape. I’m a big fan on Burgtec bars and having had both ali abs carbon ones, I can’t really tell any difference other than preferring my higher rise ali bars over the low rise carbon ones. As others have said, swapping bars can be good to help you tweak your riding position.
A £150 carbon bar won’t be noticeably better than a £50 ali bar in terms of feel or weight saving.
Race Face bars are bloody awful and unnecessarily stiff. My Next Carbon bars were awful and battered my hands / arms on descents.
The big thing for me is shape. I’m a big fan on Burgtec bars and having had both ali abs carbon ones, I can’t really tell any difference other than preferring my higher rise ali bars over the low rise carbon ones. As others have said, swapping bars can be good to help you tweak your riding position.
A £150 carbon bar won’t be noticeably better than a £50 ali bar in terms of feel or weight saving.
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