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I've had 740mm Renthal Fat Bar Lite (V1) handlebars on my bike(s) for years, but the time has come for something wider - I find myself right on the ends of the bars frequently.
I like the rise (30mm), sweep and shape of the Renthal bars, but would like 780 or 800mm width in a similar shape without a chunk of extra weight (the 740's are 270g). Is it possible without going carbon?
Aren’t renthal fatbars only about 320 grams or something and are 40mm wider than the lites?
What we talking maybe 50 grams of difference?!
That’s the answer isn’t it? A Fatbar light is just a narrower version of a Fatbar and lighter as a result.
If the cost of carbon is an issue Brend X are doing a 780mm wide carbon bar for £70. I bought one for a light hardtail build and it looks ok. Still waiting for a hardtail frame to arrive (still month or so to go) so stuck it on my full suss. So far it works like a bar and it was lighter than the alloy one (same width) that came off it.
I have a Fatbar lite on my Superlight at 740mm and a Fatbar carbon on my Bronson which is 780mm
Renthal Fatbar carbon v2, 800mm @ c221g-228g.
Can usually be found for c£100 and well worth the bit extra over the alu version.
As said above, the Fatbar/ Fatbar 35 is 800mm, I prefer the alloy over carbon and pretty sure a lot of world cup dh racers use it as well. The weight difference between alloy and carbon is 80g, personally I doubt anyone could tell the difference once fitted but I find that the carbon being stiffer gives a harsher ride compared to the alloy version. Both of mine are 35 diameter, the 31.8 may be more forgiving but haven't used any to compare them
Relative stiffness is an interesting concept on bars these days. I find depending on which bike I am riding, my front suspension negates it all.
It's only on rigid or full xc set-up bikes I find more flex in a bar is even noticeable let alone appreciated.
But yes renthal carbon fatbars are pretty stiff. Wouldn't ride any other brand but thats personal preference.
Aluminium is often prefered if risk of regular crash impacts as a, you don't feel the niggling need to replace and b if you do it's cheaper.
I can't afford to crash, so often overbiked and taking it easy, so moot point for me though.
Bought some Fatbar Lites last week.
Advertised as 760mm but are actually 780mm.
Pretty much every alu bar is lighter than a Renthal but without the horrible colour.
I have an alu V2 Fatbar Lite in 30mm rise and that off the bike measures up as 760mm. With my Ergon GE1 lock on grips (the ones with the single lockring) I measure end to end as 770mm so not far off.
They do a proper 780mm alu one but it only comes in flat / zero degrees rise so that probably won't work for you.
The newer FatBar Lites are 760mm wide. I have them on both bikes, both in 40mm rise, one normal, one 35mm clamp. With single lock-on grips (DeathGrips and Enduro) they’re 770mm end to end.
And they’re BLACK!!!
Burgtec or nukeproof horizon, bit more backsweep but same upsweep and 300g, I found the extra backsweep better, despite reservations at first.
Thanks for the info, cost isn't putting me off Carbon, more the fear of a bloody death should they fail, I know it's very rare, but I'd rather hold on to a lump of metal than carbon personally.
I have single lockon Spesh grips now that probably give me 15-20mm extra width so really want to be at at least 780mm. I remember switching from 660mm to 740mm and thinking it was ridiculous!
If you like the Fatbar Lite then the obvious thing would be to buy the Renthal Fatbar.
spank oozy 780mm
Having just bought some bars - the majority seem quite similar spec, so I just picked something in stock that did not have 'lary' graphics.
Fatbar is wider than Fatbar lite so just get that if you can find one.
I ended up with Chromag OSX [35mm clamp], not radically different from the Renthal, but in stock at CRC. Seem nice at 25mm rise and 800mm wide.
I have some of the PNW components range bars , i got them after listening to the interview with the company owner on the downtime podcast .
780 mm , 30mm rise and 31.8mm clamp . I find them pretty comfy and at £55 pretty good value i thought .
Thread update - I ended up with these: https://ultimateuse.com/ultimate-components/ultimate-mountain/mtb-handlebars/flow-wide-aluminium-40mm-rise-780mm (link function playing up on iPhone).
A bit more rise than I wanted, but I could drop some stem spacers to accommodate. Most bars seem much of a muchness, but these are light, subtle, were in stock, and a decent price.
First ride feedback - I didn't notice them at all, so I guess that means they're good!