I'm looking for some 38mm+ carbon bars in 31.8 - its for my aggressive 140/120 trail bike so needs to be sturdy, but at the sametime not too harsh - I had renthal fatbar 35 in a 40mm rise which was ok, but too harsh, I've now got an i9 A318 stem. I know I could just go for the Renthal 31.8 40mm but the aesthetics won't be so good and I'm a total tart.
My options at the moment are:
Nukeproof Horizon V2 - right dimensions etc but in a gloss finish...
USE Flow Wide - perfect, but almost too light at 180ish grams..
Enve M9 50mm - possibly a bit harsh?
Any other suggestions?
I was going to recommend the Fatbar until you mentioned your cosmetic requirements. I don't use words like 'aesthetics' when it comes to handletubes, sorry.
I liked my Fatbar. No harshness in 31.8 flavour.
The Horizon's a fantastic bar tbh- great shape, lovely feel. It's a sort of "deep shiny" rather than a tacky gloss so if you've not seen one in person it might suit you, but, the graphics and markings are a wee bit unlovely.
I didn't find my renthals harsh but the graphics are cheesy and they scratch and mark up really easily, the gold in the middle especially. If cosmetics matter I wouldn't. Crank Bros Iodine go up to 30mm and while they're a bit shiny, they're nice to look at at least? They're another "clear gloss over carbon" rather than "gloss paint"
I use the M9s in 30mm rise and don't find them harsh at all.
Newmen make 31.8 bars in a bunch of rises also, not tried them myself
What about the V1 version of the Nukeproof Horizon carbons? Nicer aesthetically than the V2, if that matters. CRC/Wiggle still have the V1 in stock in 31.8/38mm/800 and they're not particularly glossy. I've got them on both FSers in 38mm rise and they're lovely IMO.
