Handlebar Upgrade Suggestions

[TyronLab]

My recently built bike has a hodgepodge of mismatched parts (which I love) that have been serving me well, with the exception of one component, the handlebar.

Its 720mm wide, has no branding on, and feels like its cast out of solid Aluminum as even when I was running a Reba/different wheelset/different tyres/different pressure it transmitted every small vibration into my hands. Noticeably more than any bike I've ridden before (and I've ridden a gamut of mtbs in the last two years). It also has ESI silicone grips on which I've used before, so it rules out the grips just being hard. I've narrowed it down to what I'm assuming is a cheap OEM handlebar.

Seeing as I'm running a rigid fork, the issue has been exacerbated.

I'm keen on upgrading to something with a bit more compliance to it. I've read good things about carbon bars, but I'm nervous about needing to be gentle with it (I like not needing to worry too much about something fragile to the point where I soldy previous carbon bike partly because of this). I've also read that the specific bar design matters more than the material its made out of.

Not too fussed about width (I think my sweetspot is 780, but I'm comfy on 720-800mm wide). Don't think I'd like a completely flat bar so some backsweep would be good (the standard 9deg is just fine). 5-15mm of rise. Ideally 31.8mm clamp.

Any recommendations from seasoned bar swappers? 

I've had my eye on the Farr endurance bar, those little ergo magoefters next to the stem seem cool, but I'm open to anything that's not my current torture stick.

[Super Sywurm]

Go check out the Rapide bars, there is a good selection and you will get top notch service.

[Steady Spin]

No need to be worried about needing to be gentle on carbon bars. They are plenty strong. 

[RobbyB]

Carbon bars are a must (IMO). You could also consider a carbon seat-post. Being on the lighter sider I have found then to add much compliance - from Ritchey, Giant and Spez bars all bought on BikeHub for less than 1K ea.

I have Ergo grips (moulded to fit the hand giving more support) on the straighter bars - they work well and cut the fatigue and pain from a round bar/grip.

Just make sure that you have a torque wrench. Your clamping on a carbon bar can't exceed the specs - otherwise...CRACK!

[herrowpreeze]

do yourself a favour and get some spank vibrocore bars

GAME CHANGER

[Dusty]

I upgraded to a Lyne carbon bar and was blown away by the difference it made to my ride comfort.

Well priced too.

[droo]

4 hours ago, herrowpreeze said:

do yourself a favour and get some spank vibrocore bars

GAME CHANGER

^ this.

 

Good rise and sweep numbers, and kill trail buzz. Especially with a rigid fork.

[LazyTrailRider]

This: https://trailtechcycles.co.za/products/oneup-components-handlebar-20mm-rise-35mm-dia

Yes, it does actually dampen chatter. Noticeably so.

[Chadvdw67]

I got some NukeProof Carbon bars, 31.8mm diameter 800mm wide from Chain Reaction, they were/are on sale, think it was R1300ish, landed to my door, they are really nice, worth a look maybe

Edited March 16, 2022 by Chadvdw67

[TyronLab]

15 hours ago, Super Sywurm said:

Go check out the Rapide bars, there is a good selection and you will get top notch service.

I had a look, doesn't look like their carbon bars are in stock. Have you used their alloy bars? I'm a big Rapide fan (currently running their 29er wheelset and rigid fork, really liking both), so if their alloy bars are compliant I'll happily look at that.

7 hours ago, Dusty said:

I upgraded to a Lyne carbon bar and was blown away by the difference it made to my ride comfort.

Well priced too.

I've had a look at those, but they seem to be out of stock (as they have been for quite some time).

3 hours ago, droo said:

^ this.

 

Good rise and sweep numbers, and kill trail buzz. Especially with a rigid fork.

Any links to local supplier? My google-fu seems to be weak today so I can't seem to find a local one. 

3 hours ago, LazyTrailRider said:

This: https://trailtechcycles.co.za/products/oneup-components-handlebar-20mm-rise-35mm-dia

Yes, it does actually dampen chatter. Noticeably so.

Very very nice, but also very spendy (especially since I'd need to add a stem to it too).

1 hour ago, Chadvdw67 said:

I got some NukeProof Carbon bars, 31.8mm diameter 800mm wide from Chain Reaction, they were/are on sale, think it was R1300ish, landed to my door, they are really nice, worth a look maybe

Thanks for the tip. I'm a smidge too impatient to wait with the current shipping issues, but if this works out to be the best deal it could work.

[Super Sywurm]

3 minutes ago, TyronLab said:

I had a look, doesn't look like their carbon bars are in stock. Have you used their alloy bars? I'm a big Rapide fan (currently running their 29er wheelset and rigid fork, really liking both), so if their alloy bars are compliant I'll happily look at that.

I've had a look at those, but they seem to be out of stock (as they have been for quite some time).

Any links to local supplier? My google-fu seems to be weak today so I can't seem to find a local one. 

Very very nice, but also very spendy (especially since I'd need to add a stem to it too).

Thanks for the tip. I'm a smidge too impatient to wait with the current shipping issues, but if this works out to be the best deal it could work.

I have their 35mm and 31.8mm bars, flat, rizer and hi-rize.  Still need to try the 35mm sky-rize bar.

Edited March 16, 2022 by Super Sywurm
Oh, and I have a carbon set as well.

[Chadvdw67]

1 minute ago, TyronLab said:

Thanks for the tip. I'm a smidge too impatient to wait with the current shipping issues, but if this works out to be the best deal it could work.

Ya, not sure currently what shipping is like, but I ordered my bars about 2 months back, got to me in 4 days, but with the other happenings all over the world, you just dont know

[LazyTrailRider]

As far as cost effectiveness goes, I'd wait for Lyne's shipment of bars and stems to arrive. They estimated end March some time ago if I'm not mistaken, but worth asking them.

I had an AMP 35 stem (35mm reach also) with a 780mm AMP carbon bar before getting the OneUp and rode with an 35mm alloy combo between the two. Can confirm that both carbon bars are noticeably less harsh than the alloy. This varies though, some carbon bars (do some searching) are super stiff and may even be harsher than their alloy counterparts. The Lyne and OneUp definitely aren't though.

[TyronLab]

4 minutes ago, Super Sywurm said:

I have their 35mm and 31.8mm bars, flat, rizer and hi-rize.  Still need to try the 35mm sky-rize bar.

K, so you're the authority then 😁

How would you compare them to other bars you've ridden? Their pricing is (as always) really good, so if they're comfy I'll probably go that route.

[Super Sywurm]

2 minutes ago, TyronLab said:

K, so you're the authority then 😁

How would you compare them to other bars you've ridden? Their pricing is (as always) really good, so if they're comfy I'll probably go that route.

I can't really comment on how they compare to other bars, as I don't ride enough to really know how to feel the difference. 

The carbon bars felt good.  But, I tightened the levers and shifters to much, made dents in the bars. And I even used a torque wrench.

The 35mm bar also felt more compliant, but I may be wrong.  They are lighter than the 31.8 bars.

[Pieter1]

9 hours ago, herrowpreeze said:

do yourself a favour and get some spank vibrocore bars

GAME CHANGER

I was about to say this. 
I personally have not used the vibrocore bars but have not heard anything bad.