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Took a tumble last night and took a few shallow gouges (~0.5mm deep, on the 'rise' part) out of my Fatbar Lite carbon bars. Bit gutted. They'd probably be fine to keep using, but I'd always be worrying about them snapping and putting me in an even worse state than I am this morning! Weighing up whether to get the same again (£100) or the alloy versions (£50). The weight difference isn't that significant, but I do like the damping/vibration reduction from the carbon. I expect a crash on either set will warrant replacement - unless the alloy ones are perhaps easier to inspect and check after a crash? WWSTWD?
Got gouges and scratches on all my carbon bars. Not bothered. Nothing significant enough to see bits of torn fibre. I think dire predictions with carbon with tiniest of scratches are over stated.
I'd still go for carbon. They're light (difference is very noticeable when receiving bars in the post. Is there anything actually in this box? ! ) and I find a lot of alloy bars are a rough finish. Damping/vibration reduction, yeah I think so. Been a long time since I had alloy and do remember a juddery feel in the bars, but could have been many other things. Not keen on going back to that though.
Hmm. How deep a gouge would you be happy to keep riding with? No fibres sticking out here, but it's definitely not just taken the paint off. I guess no-one really knows until you get the x-ray/ultrasound out, or it gives way and puts the stem through your nose.
Alloy, it's cheaper and I don't like putting expensive stuff in harms way if I can help it.
There's a pretty thick layer of lacquer or paint on most carbon bars and the carbon itself is also pretty thick. Get a lens out and check if you can see fibres. If not, I'd guess it'd be ok.
Personally I worry more about gouges in aluminium than composites.
Personally I worry more about gouges in aluminium than composites.
This.
Either could fail unpredictably and hurt you, aluminium is far more susceptible to fatigue.
I've got carbon on the road bike, which I would now stick with. But for the MTB? Alloy.
The bars is the first place I put carbon on a bike. I've had them on every bike since 2002.
Weight saving is usually way less than £1/g and there is a damping bonus.
BTW I have similar marks on mine after a fall on Helvellyn and have ridden 2.5 years since.
Never had the pleasure of carbon bars so can't comment on the differences in feel.
Weight saving has never been an issue either bearing in mind I probably weigh over 100kg in my cycling gear 🙂
I'd rather save the money and spend it on a nice cold cider at the end of the ride !
Carbon,
Never had the pleasure of carbon bars so can’t comment on the differences in feel
there isn't a difference between carbon and aluminium. There might be a difference between some bars and other bars but it won't be specifically down to the material.
"Chewy" Knuckleball carbon bars made heck of a dampening difference on my Wazoo compared to the stock alloy ones.
Weight. Negligible. No different than seat posts in all honesty. For strength they increase weight on carbon unless going for very performance related it will be identical or heavier often than carbon.
Worried about alloy and fatigue? MX bikes use renthal alloy so that answers your question. Issue with alloy as always is bending them back to shape. Never do that as they will fail.
Ride quality. Negligible again. Just try different bars or seat posts. Alloy is more than capable of damping.
Price. Alloy is always cheaper. If it's not then don't pay it.
On a road bike I can see how a comfy bar is a bonus, but on an mtb with front suspension is that still the case.
I have alu on the trail bike and carbon on the xc bike. Can't say I notice the difference.
I've got a couple of these:
https://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/rsp-raleigh-carbon-ego-dh-bars/
They're about £60 and seem pretty robust.
I snapped my carbon bars above Grasmere last year and it shit me right up. Went down without warning and hit the ground hard. Alloy all the way for me.
They were RSP downhill carbon bars....
I am 90kg, so not light but not huge.
Alloy, I like my face too much
At least someone does then.
“On a road bike I can see how a comfy bar is a bonus, but on an mtb with front suspension is that still the case.”
Suspension only works in one direction and bikes corner leaned over. Downhill bikes haves stopped getting stiffer because they’ve realised that even with 200mm of travel front and rear and 2.5” tyres, the compliance of the frame and bars and wheels has a bearing on both cornering grip and rider fatigue.
Depends on the layup and design whether a carbon bar will be stiff as hell or help soak up trail buzz. Not all bikes have suspension forks and some prefer a stiffer front end than others so it’s all choice and preference. Carbon will usually be a bit lighter too but is far less recyclable if that’s in your radar.
As above, if close inspection doesn’t show fibres then I’d be fine with this I think.
The spank vibrocore bars are supposed to be extra stiff, but with dampingore akin to carbon bars. Maybe worth a look. They aren't light or cheap tho.