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Worth switching from alu to carbon bars on full carbon bike?
Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 9:00 am
by parajba
Hi,
Hopefully just a quick one.
I need to change the stem and the handlebars on my Cervelo S2 because they don't fit me. Main use is road racing < 3hrs. I ride 404 tubs.
Is it worth switching to a 3T Arx Team (alu) + 3T Ergonova Team (carbon) rather than sticking with aluminium Deda Zero 100 stem and aluminim bar? Will I feel the difference on a carbon bike with carbon wheels? Can the carbon handlebar make any difference in addition to the carbon wheels, tubs and carbon frame to justify the extra £££? How about stiffness and overall feeling of the 3T carbon bars over the alu ones?
The price difference between the two set up would be around £100.
I'd appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks!
Re: Worth switching from alu to carbon bars on full carbon b
Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 9:27 am
by frankq
I have 3 main setups I use, Cinelli ram 2, Deda Zero Nero Carbon stem/Deda Presa, and 3T Team Alu Bar and stem. On a Colnago EPS with Lightweight Standards. The only difference I can tell between the setups is I get more road feel(or Buzz) with the aluminum setup than with the full carbon(riding wood feeling) setup, neither is bad to me just different and I feel no difference in stiffness and no difference when switching wheels from carbon tubs to alloy clinchers. Personally if I were to buy again I wouldn't waste my money on the carbon, I really can tell no performance difference just feel. But if you want bling, go to the carbon aisle with credit card handy.
Re: Worth switching from alu to carbon bars on full carbon b
Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 9:27 am
by Weenie
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Re: Worth switching from alu to carbon bars on full carbon b
Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 12:20 pm
by dcj9
depending on who you ask, carbon bars either make no difference to killing road buzz or alot of difference. i think if you are light and happen to ride a bike which generates noticeable road buzz then it will probably be the latter. for me, it is definitely worth it.
from lab tests i've seen, alloy bars are normally quite a bit stiffer that their equivalent carbons. i guess in a maxxed out sprint you will feel a difference.
i am using carbon 3T ergosum bars on a pegeretti and alloy 3T ergosum bars on a trek.
in the past i swapped out carbon bars for alloy ones on a lightspeed ti, then had to swap back after a few rides as the vibration was uncomfortable after 2 hours. under 2 hours it wasn't that noticeable
Re: Worth switching from alu to carbon bars on full carbon b
Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 12:37 pm
by HammerTime2
Depending on your bar tape, your hands and fingers may stay just a wee bit warmer on cold rides with carbon bars vs. alu bars.
Re: Worth switching from alu to carbon bars on full carbon b
Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 12:40 pm
by DMF
Went from PRO Plt alu to Ergonova Team, to me they killed alot of buzz, but in the drops they are clearly not as stiff, in fact a bit noodly... No big difference in the hoods. If you're a strong sprinter I would say that it could be an issue...
Re: Worth switching from alu to carbon bars on full carbon b
Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 1:07 pm
by ticou
I run the Deda 100 set up and would never change; it's the princess and the pea in the 30th mattress to do so.
Re: Worth switching from alu to carbon bars on full carbon b
Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 2:49 pm
by c50jim
For me, the key to this question is your statement that you'll use the bars on a racing bike. Pro racers often use aluminum because it withstands crashes better than carbon. That's probably a good thing for you to remember too. If bike weights are measured where you are, you might be better with slightly heavier bars to stay above 6.8 kg.
I have bikes with both carbon and aluminum bars and frankly don't notice a big difference except on the pocketbook.
Re: Worth switching from alu to carbon bars on full carbon b
Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 3:27 pm
by parajba
Thanks everybody for the kind replies, much obliged. I'll stick with the Zero100 combo.
The current bike is comfy enough for me, there is no road buzz as such...Just a lively feeling. I guess the Cervelo frame, the gloves, the bar tape, the fit on the bike and the tubs/404s are all doing a good job.
Yes, this is solely a bike used for road races < 3hrs, and the odd crit, so costs and durability are a plus here.
Re: Worth switching from alu to carbon bars on full carbon b
Posted: Sun May 06, 2012 3:27 pm
by Weenie
Visit
starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓ Broad Selection ✓ Worldwide Delivery ✓
www.starbike.com