Carbon Fiber Or Alloy Handlebars?

Started on Oct 21, 2014 by Deleted Profile
Activity: Cycling
7 comments | 4123 views

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Weight, flex, durability and comfort.

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Bogie B

Dec 13, 2014 1:11pm

FSA - K-Wing Compact - FSA

With its unique shape, the K-Wing Compact could be just the bar you’re looking for.

http://www.fullspeedahead.com/products/handlebars-road/k-wing-compact-handlebar/

Bogie B

Oct 22, 2014 12:05pm

Keywords: #Weight, #Comfort

Rade Jankovic

Oct 21, 2014 6:29am

I wanted a carbon stem and bars when I built up my bike but simply could not justify the cost.. I’m perfectly comfortable on my alloy FSA stem and bar. Plus they’re stronger than needed and look pro enough to me.

Like 1

	Rade Jankovic	Like \| Oct 21, 2014 6:31am
	I wanted a carbon stem and bars when I built up my bike but simply could not justify the cost.. I’m perfectly comfortable on my alloy FSA stem and bar. Plus they’re stronger than needed and look pro enough to me.

Lisa Thomas

Oct 21, 2014 1:10am

I had the alloy FSA bar on my Tarmac almost since I got it, up until it got whacked by a car, and can tell you now, unless insurance gives me a LOT of money, I won’t be upgrading to the carbon FSA bar. My boss has it, its beautiful, internal cable routing looks cool, but the alloy compact bar was just fine. Most comfortable bar I have ever tried. I actually have found myself climbing from the drops because the reach is so comfortable. Can’t go wrong if you ask me!

Like 1

	Carlos Ramirez	Like \| Oct 21, 2014 1:11am
	I am a big fan of the FSA wing bar. I have the standard wing and the pro. They are great bars. My only complaint is the white finish on the pro looks off next to my white tape.

Connect, TeamUp and GO!

Oct 21, 2014 1:01am

I had a friend who broke two aluminum bars ~7-8 years ago. Al can fatigue whereas carbon is much less likely to fail in that way. Aluminum or carbon bars can be made to be virtually indestructible in use, but in the quest for lightness, compromises are made.

Like 1

Sasa Kalezic

Oct 21, 2014 1:00am

I wouldn’t consider CF bars. In some cases they’re actually heavier than AL bars. IMO the price is exorbitant. As far as a cure for vibration I’m not buying it. I have an all steel bike and an all CF bike including a CF seat post. If I could ride them blindfolded I don’t think I could tell the difference. I think a lot of it is hype, the placebo effect, or power of suggestion. I’ve never seen any objective data on the subject.

Deleted Profile

Oct 21, 2014 12:44am

Pros usually run aluminum for the sake of crash scenarios. Carbon arguably does nothing besides save grams and throw up some bling factor - like always, comfort could be more easily achieved by tire pressure, gloves, bar wrap, etc. Saying this off the basis that I’ve used a carbon riser before and now use Shimano Vibe Sprints (presumably of the stiffest in the market), and can’t make out a difference in comfort. I would want to contribute to the quality side of things, but I’ve never crashed in a number of years

Like 2

	Tax Advisors	Like \| Oct 21, 2014 12:49am
	VeloNews recently did a comparison between alloy and carbon bars, measuring weight vs. stiffness. Get the issue. Their conclusion was, for the majority of applications, the weight savings is minimal considering the cost, and there are no tangible increases in stiffness with carbon bars.

	Randy Shoemaker	Like \| Oct 21, 2014 12:53am
	I wanted a carbon stem and bars when I built up my bike but simply could not justify the cost. I am perfectly comfortable on my alloy FSA stem and bar. Plus they are stronger than needed and look pro enough to me.