Handlebar stiffness aluminium vs carbon

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siim
Posts: 107
Joined: Sun Nov 26, 2017 9:37 pm
Location: Estonia

by siim

This past weekend I did first ride with new handlebar. A carbon S-Works Hover. Previously I had only run aluminium bars and previous model was Specialized Hover - yes, same handlebar but different material. Both 42cm wide too.

When doing some uphill standing grinding I had a weird sensation. Difficult to describe but felt as if front and back of the bike are not "in sync". Never felt like this before. Could it be that carbon bar is a "wet noodle"? I'm not a powerful rider at all and weigh about 74kg and have never really felt that any component would be too flexy for me but this is the first time I get this kind of feeling and it doesn't feel good at all.

Anyone else have S-Works Hover bar and thinks it's flexy? Is there a simple way to test stiffness at home? Not scientifically of course, but some quick validation method to get some basic understanding perhaps?

Stiff sub-200g handlebar recommendations are welcome too.

coresare
Posts: 147
Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2015 8:19 am

by coresare

http://blog.fairwheelbikes.com/reviews- ... em-review/

Some interesting results there that might help you.

by Weenie


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siim
Posts: 107
Joined: Sun Nov 26, 2017 9:37 pm
Location: Estonia

by siim

That link to FWB is about stems. I have read their test about handlebars as well and it wasn't really clear from their tests that stiffness would be highly correlated to material.

What I'm trying to understand is if my sensations are correct and if someone else can also confirm that S-Works Hover is flexy.

jfranci3
Posts: 1572
Joined: Tue Jul 26, 2016 5:21 pm

by jfranci3

The material doesn't make difference. You're just looking for stiffer bars. Any bar that improves ride will feel more flexy. Any lightweight aero bar will feel flexy. You options are to ignore, move your hands inboard, or get a heavier/more rounded bar.

mag
Posts: 616
Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2017 12:23 pm

by mag

They've done some handlebar tests too:
http://blog.fairwheelbikes.com/reviews- ... ar-review/

bikeboy1tr
Posts: 1395
Joined: Thu Mar 21, 2013 3:19 am
Location: Southern Ontario Canada

by bikeboy1tr

Sub 200gr 3T Ernova Team Stealth Carbon Handlebar even in 44 very little flex.
viewtopic.php?f=10&t=154188
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NiFTY
Posts: 1493
Joined: Sat May 26, 2012 11:26 pm

by NiFTY

Are you on a avnege vias - if so I would imagine you need to reroute brake cables through stem and might have removed that. Is the preload on the headset set properly?
Evo 4.9kg SL3 6.64kg Slice RS 8.89kg viewtopic.php?f=10&t=110579" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

siim
Posts: 107
Joined: Sun Nov 26, 2017 9:37 pm
Location: Estonia

by siim

No, it's not a Venge. I'm on a Cervelo. Headset is adjusted properly.

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rides4beer
Posts: 690
Joined: Wed Nov 28, 2018 5:27 am
Location: VA

by rides4beer

Different bars, but I had some flex with my Zipp Contour SL carbon bars when I was really getting on it, and don't have any flex now with the Bontrager Elite Aero alloy bars (made the switch so I could run clip-on aero bars). The minimal amount of flex in the Zipps wasn't an issue, just something I noticed. I think that's just the nature of carbon bars, and probably why they're a little more comfortable.

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