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My rigid 29er has a Thomson seat post, which is very stiff, and a pair of cheap brand x flat bars (which are un-butted cheap alloy and also rock solid). I've got a bit of money to spend and I'm already thinking of a carbon seatpost for comfort.
I do fancy wider bars too though - on a rigid steel bike will I get any added comfort with a nice Carbon bar? Are some more flexy/soft than others?
Probably not noticable. Try different grips or experiment with tyre pressures.
Would agree, I have never noticed it. The carbon bars I do have (Easton XC90 SL) are just as stiff as any alloy bars I have owned, the benefit of them is that they weigh 150 grams.
I found the same with seat posts.
Even if they did flex a little bit that doesn't necessarily mean they provide more comfort, all depends what is giving the discomfort. I get the most comfortable bike by the fact it fits, I have no excess pressure on hands etc,.
Spank alu vibrocore bars make me less fatigued. Not noticed the same with carbon.
I went from a set of cheapish Bontrager alloys to a set of Easton ec90's on my Superfly, yes you do notice it, is it worth it? That is a something only you can say.
Get a thinner seatpost, like 27.2 and a shim.
Don't get carbon bars, get a spank vibrocore Alu bar.
Both of these will give you real world differences, but bigger, softer tyres will give you more.
Carbon bats won't give more comfort by flexing more, but can dampen vibrations better and be more comfy for that reason.
Don't expect miracles but it could well be worth it. I'm a fan anyway.
It's true bars seem to make less of a difference now we're all riding bigger tyres anyway.
PS. Rigid bike stands to benefit more from nice carbon bars than a long travel enduro weapon anyway.
Depends entirely on the bars. My Enves were very stiff, which was fine as it was a 160mm bike but it'd have been rubbish on a different bike. My Renthals are pretty similar. But my Crank Bros Cobalt 11s couldn't be more differnt, you can actually see the tips moving from all the flex as you ride. It made a vast difference on my rigid, like, literally "I can ride down this trail" vs "I have to stop as my wrists are dying"
Same as Northwind, depends entirely on what bars you have now, and what you're going to. And also, you can feel the effect for the first couple of rides, but you soon get used to it after a while. (well, I do at least)
Nope not in my experience- I have them on my mtb and two road bikes. For me it about weight reduction and aesthetics.
The On One Knuckleball carbon bars come in stiff or flexy.
So, maybe flexy ones of them? Pretty cheap too
Another vote for the Spank vibrocore bars, they’re great and really do make a difference. On the other hand you might want a set of lovely Carbon Hope bars like the ones in the classifieds 😉
Yes. I've tried the vibrocores but softer carbon bars are better IMO, especially on a rigid bike.
I have EC70s on my rigid 29er.
I was running renthal fat bar alloy and getting constant numb hands. Swapped to a joystick carbon bar and it stopped. Make of that what you will! Maybe the renthals were too stiff, maybe the carbon is more fleet/ vibration absorbing
Thanks all, good responses. The bike is a Genesis Fortitude to has 27.2 seatpost, but I don't run massive +sized tires so can't go too low on the pressure.
I noticed the reduced road buzz on the first ride after I fitted the Chewy Knuckleballs, my only carbon bars to date.
My sixC's are well stiff! Oo-er!
Nice but a bit unforgiving.
Maybe some rev grips would help.
So what tyres and pressures are you using, if it is the original 2.2 I'd be in the low to mid 20's.
I swopped out the genesis bars on my Fortitude for some decent Easton alloy jobs, mainly as I wanted to go wider. Really noticed the difference in comfort. Wish I made the change earlier.
Tyres are 2.3 Maxxis and the front isjo more than 21psi so there's little to give there! Still get a definite buzz through the bars when hauling on rough gravel etc
I've got Easton and Nukeproof bars and I can't say I've noticed any difference but they do look nice as I ride along:-)
As always with this topic you have some people who can really notice it while others don't find any difference. I don't notice any difference and I am riding off road on a very stiff track bike with high PSI 25c tyres so if I don't notice it on that that not sure when I would.
Blind test would be the answer but riding with a blindfold on may not be advisable...
Maybe the renthals were too stiff
I found them very stiff, and wasn't a fan.