Handlebar materials?

[ishaw]

I'm slowly building a new bike around a ti 29er frame. I fitted a set of carbon bars, as I had some (Easton Haven) but tonight for some reason, probably my OCD for having white forks and trying to tie them in better, and having a new set of answer pro taper bars in white, I was wondering what the real merits of different bar materials are?

I know there are various factors at play, strength, weight, rigidity, flex etc, but in real terms, what are the benefits, or disbenefits between carbon, alloy, ti, steel etc?

It probably won't change my plan, but maybe it will, and I'll learn something along the way!

 

[coomber]

Re:

Steel for strength and just being bomb proof but weighty

Carbon for weight saving and having a bit of flex for minor wrist relief

Aluminium for everything else. Mid weight, some give, cheap. But you have a fair mix between lightweight and bomb proof with aluminium.

 

[The History Man]

Re:

Corduroy is stylish, timeless, ubiquitous.

 

[ishaw]

Re:

As long as it has elbow patches, I'm in.

 

[Sketchyxup]

You can't generalise by material, there are more contributory factors than that at play.

I've had carbon bars that are like an iron bar, and aluminium bars that were terrifyingly flexy.

 

[ishaw]

Re:

Fair point. I have a few bars, easton haven carbon, answer pro taper, easton ec90. All riser bars, all pretty wide, ec90 are probably narrower than the other two. Also have some truvativ carbon risers, use carbon risers and so.e race face alloy risers. Trying to decide which would be the better bar for xc and suit a ti 29er build that will be xtr shod.

 

[Woz]

Agree about material generalisations. I've got some BBB carbon wrapped AL bar which are pretty pointless TBH.

Personally I like the solid feel of good quality medium weight AL bars like Kore or Titec. Ti bars go good on a
weight weenie project but the flex can be a bit weird when climbing off the saddle.

 

[Peachy!]

Re: Re:

ubiquitous.

I like ubiquitous. It is a good word, I think I’ll use it more in conversation...