Carbon Stem & Carbon Bars or Alu Stem & Carbon Bars

[NPJ]

Cant seem to find a discussion on this, please point me in the right direction if there was a previous one!

 

Just wondering what the difference is besides weight and price!

[no calves]

Stiffness, pros tend to use it so that when they crash it does not crack or worse

[David Marshall]

I don't think you will notice any performance difference. Just make sure you use a torque wrench when you fiddle in that area!

[Eldron]

Alu bars and alu stem.

 

The only feeling carbon gives you is a lighter wallet.

[Bos]

Alu stem for sure, Even the most expensive carbon stems dont save you more than 10g

As for bars, they absorb a bit of vibration, espesh a mtb bar. As for not cracking when they crash, Im not so sure..carbon fails easier than alu when you crash..

[Christie]

+1 for alu stem, with 4 bolts.

 

As for bars, I prefer carbon. Imo carbon does not add any vibration absorption to the bar, but it looks nice to me.

 

With bars & stems I would stick to big brands like Easton, FSA, 3T, Ritchey - look for a bargain on CRC.

[Goodbadugly]

+1 for alu stem, with 4 bolts.

 

As for bars, I prefer carbon. Imo carbon does not add any vibration absorption to the bar, but it looks nice to me.

 

With bars & stems I would stick to big brands like Easton, FSA, 3T, Ritchey - look for a bargain on CRC.

+1

Lowering the tire pressures from 2 bar to 1.8 bar(for mtb's that is) will give you more vibration dampening and a softer ride than R3000 worth of carbon goodies. Carbon will improve your bragging rights though.

[Eugene]

Choose the combination that looks nicest to you.

[milky4130]

Guys I'm embarking on a weight-weenie trip, my budget is tight yet I would like the lightest stem & bars, so are you saying I'll get better value for money with alu stem & bars, don't really care for the look must just be strong & light, any personal reccommendations?

[Tiny K]

Alu bars and alu stem.

 

The only feeling carbon gives you is a lighter wallet.

 

+1. The only thing you can do is carbon seat post, cranks and little bits and bobs.

 

Stem and bars take a lot of stress and when it breaks, prepare to see your a$$. I wanted to go carbon stem and bars and was advised by a few people not to because of the breakage factor.

[Robrider]

Guys I'm embarking on a weight-weenie trip, my budget is tight yet I would like the lightest stem & bars, so are you saying I'll get better value for money with alu stem & bars, don't really care for the look must just be strong & light, any personal reccommendations?

 

Really? you want something light, strong and cheap??? You and everyone else.

 

There's a famous saying "light, strong, cheap - pick two".

 

Having said that, I have had good experience with kcnc bars. They are one of the lightest on the market and compete with the top carbon in terms of weight, and are very reasonably priced. I have heard stories of them breaking, but I have been using mine for 3 years and haven't given me any reason to doubt them. (and I've heard stories of carbon breaking too, so horses for courses)

[milky4130]

Really? you want something light, strong and cheap??? You and everyone else.

 

There's a famous saying "light, strong, cheap - pick two".

 

Having said that, I have had good experience with kcnc bars. They are one of the lightest on the market and compete with the top carbon in terms of weight, and are very reasonably priced. I have heard stories of them breaking, but I have been using mine for 3 years and haven't given me any reason to doubt them. (and I've heard stories of carbon breaking too, so horses for courses)

LOL!! Thanks for pointing that out didnt even realise that what I typed didnt make sense.

I choose light & cheap so what are the reccommendations? KCNC I assume you are referring to Aluminium bars & what about a stem?

[Eldron]

Guys I'm embarking on a weight-weenie trip, my budget is tight yet I would like the lightest stem & bars, so are you saying I'll get better value for money with alu stem & bars, don't really care for the look must just be strong & light, any personal reccommendations?

 

Bars, stem and seat post are a bad place to start a weight weenie exercise - there isn't a lot to save in the first place. The Rand value to grams saved ratio is terrible.

 

A better place for value weight saving are lightweight tubes and tyres for roadies and lightweight tyres with less sealant for mtbers. Shwalbe are making some super light tyres - if you put in 50g of sealant at half the interval of the 100g shot it'll save you 100g at no cost!

 

Seat is also a good one - most OEM seats are heavy.

 

Next big thing is wheels I reckon but then you're heading into the higher cash region.

[D Vader]

700mm plus carbon bars have plenty of flex, esp if using rigid fork.

Less weight saved on stem, so carbon bars with alu or scandium stem.

Obviously tire pressure is very NB for softer ride if you have the volume to 'play' with.

Take your gears and fork of your bike, you'll drop about 2kg.

Racing Ralphs from 585g ( 29er) Maxxis Crossm about 820g, so huge weight savings on right tire choice.

[Wannabe]

KCNC!! Got full KCNC cockpit, skewers, chainring bolts, jockey wheels, front derailer clamp, etc. Not a single problem with any of the items. Best of all, they were affordable, and in some instances lighter than their carbon counterparts.

Edited November 29, 2011 by Wannabe