Carbon handlebar in CX bad idea?

The spirit of Grav-lo-cross. No but seriously, cyclocross and gravel go here!

Moderator: Moderator Team

Post Reply
User avatar
Timo
Posts: 1380
Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 12:10 am
Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands

by Timo

Does anybody use a carbon handlebar for CX or is this a bad idea?

Timo

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



ndbike
Posts: 146
Joined: Tue Apr 19, 2005 10:13 am
Location: Sunny Southern Spain

by ndbike

I personally don't but I have friends that do. With that being said, I guess it isn't a bad thing.

User avatar
the Repeater
Posts: 821
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2004 5:06 pm
Location: Burlington, VT
Contact:

by the Repeater

All depends on the bar.

All handlebars are not created equal. I've used the Kestrel bars for CX; the ones approved for clip-ons, and didn't think twice about it.

If you are going with a sturdy bar, have at it.

srides
Posts: 11
Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2005 2:49 am
Location: Canada

by srides

I have been using the EC90 road ar for the past two seasons now, and i love it. My advice though is to be very careful what stem you use, you want it to have a good clamp that holds wel without overtightening

User avatar
Timo
Posts: 1380
Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 12:10 am
Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands

by Timo

Thanks for the replies! I use the new Thomson X2 stem and was thinking about the Ritchey carbon WCS handlebar. Would that be wise?

Timo

User avatar
Dr.Dos
Posts: 1073
Joined: Sat Mar 27, 2004 11:00 pm

by Dr.Dos

Take a look at the FSA K-Force handlebar. Its bends are perfect for cyclocrossing, the bar very stiff too. I run the Ritchey WCS carbon bar on my road bike and like it but didn't want it on my CX.

Be prepared for a stiff ride, carbon fibre bars are for competition use. If you want it soft and comfy go for 25.8mm aluminum bars. Forget about weight savings, focus on how you really want your bike to feel like.

User avatar
Samu Ilonen
Posts: 2155
Joined: Thu May 27, 2004 7:13 am
Location: Finland
Contact:

by Samu Ilonen

Dr.Dos wrote:Be prepared for a stiff ride, carbon fibre bars are for competition use. If you want it soft and comfy go for 25.8mm aluminum bars.


:D :D :D

What a joke!

I would be VERY scared if any alloy bar would flex like most CF-bars do. They are like suspension fork on cross bike when riding on ergo's...

User avatar
Dr.Dos
Posts: 1073
Joined: Sat Mar 27, 2004 11:00 pm

by Dr.Dos

Samu Ilonen wrote:suspension fork


Image Image Image

User avatar
Timo
Posts: 1380
Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 12:10 am
Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands

by Timo

Flex in carbonfibre handlebars? :?

User avatar
Samu Ilonen
Posts: 2155
Joined: Thu May 27, 2004 7:13 am
Location: Finland
Contact:

by Samu Ilonen

Yep, more than most alloy ones. Go and try....

User avatar
Timo
Posts: 1380
Joined: Mon Jan 24, 2005 12:10 am
Location: Amsterdam, the Netherlands

by Timo

I did and never noticed. :?

gummee
Posts: 91
Joined: Thu Jun 14, 2012 3:01 pm

by gummee

Old adage: only race what you can afford to replace.

For me that typically means Ultegra and AL bits.

M

User avatar
FIJIGabe
Posts: 2241
Joined: Tue Sep 11, 2012 6:07 pm
Location: The Lone Star State

by FIJIGabe

I've used them (Bontrager RXL IsoSpeed) which I discovered to be cracked when I took the bike apart to rebuild with Di2. For CX racing, given the possibilities of falling (or being fallen into) and stresses of racing, I'll stick to aluminum.

by Weenie


Visit starbike.com Online Retailer for HighEnd cycling components
Great Prices ✓    Broad Selection ✓    Worldwide Delivery ✓

www.starbike.com



Post Reply