Thoughts: Crank Brothers Opium 3 handlebar?

[mtbhead]

In the market for a bar like the CB Opium 3's: 25-30mm rise, ~775/780mm width, less than 300g, reasonably priced. Anyone running these that can provide any feedback? Any other particular bar that fits that description that I should be looking at? I don't want any of the 15mm "such a small rise, that they shouldn't be called a riser bar" bars, nor do I want any of the "look how cool I am because my bars are so wide I get stuck between trees that are 10' feet apart" bars either...

[aedubber]

Deity Bars

[MTB Pilot]

In the market for a bar like the CB Opium 3's: 25-30mm rise, ~775/780mm width, less than 300g, reasonably priced. Anyone running these that can provide any feedback? Any other particular bar that fits that description that I should be looking at? I don't want any of the 15mm "such a small rise, that they shouldn't be called a riser bar" bars, nor do I want any of the "look how cool I am because my bars are so wide I get stuck between trees that are 10' feet apart" bars either...

I used the Opium 3 on my '12 Session 88 for a while and it felt great, but I replaced it with an Iodine 11 carbon bar. I use the CBs Iodine carbon bars on 3 of my bikes, all risers, all outstanding! The Opium is a good bar, but there are SOOOOOO many aluminum DH bars to choose from these days.

[mtbhead]

Thanks guys - I was just looking at the Diety Dirty30. Seems pretty comperable to the Opium 3. Agreed, lots of aluminum choices (too many?). I do want to stick with aluminum for my DH/AM bike...
-Scott

[Uncle Cliffy]

I was going to say something about Crank Bros, but it's about handlebars... They can't screw that up, can they?

[motochick]

You must be pretty tall to want such a big rise on a DH bike.

[good4nothing]

I was going to say something about Crank Bros, but it's about handlebars... They can't screw that up, can they?

I also am holding my tongue, but I suspect that if there's a way to make a shitty handlebar, crank brothers will discover it.

[Ithnu]

I also am holding my tongue, but I suspect that if there's a way to make a shitty handlebar, crank brothers will discover it.

No kidding. But I'm sure it will come in a very fancy box...that you'll throw out in the first 2 minutes.

So yeah, anything but CB. Answer, Deity, Easton, etc.

[mtbhead]

motochick: nope, just old school. 30mm used to be low-rise. Now it's uber-high-rise. In 5 years, it'll probably be negative rise.
As to the rest of you CB haters: on other bikes (not my DH bike), I've been totally happy with my Iodine 3 (aluminum, 700mm width) bars, and my Iodine 11 (carbon, 680mm width) bars. I've also been totally happy with my Joplin 4R seatpost, and my Iodine and Cobalt wheelsets. I can't say zero issues with the post or wheels, but almost zero. As far as I can tell nobody makes a bullitproof dropper post - my biggest beef with the Joplin's are the outer clamping plates seem to fail over time). Just an occasional broken spoke with the wheels, and I did run into the freehub issue with the Iodine - but CB makes an easy-to-install fix for it - no issues since. Light, and laterally stiff. Just another perspective... Although I liked the box comment Ithnu - it really is a VERY fancy box (and makes you wonder how much are you paying for it out of the price).

[MTB Pilot]

motochick: nope, just old school. 30mm used to be low-rise. Now it's uber-high-rise. In 5 years, it'll probably be negative rise.
As to the rest of you CB haters: on other bikes (not my DH bike), I've been totally happy with my Iodine 3 (aluminum, 700mm width) bars, and my Iodine 11 (carbon, 680mm width) bars. I've also been totally happy with my Joplin 4R seatpost, and my Iodine and Cobalt wheelsets. I can't say zero issues with the post or wheels, but almost zero. As far as I can tell nobody makes a bullitproof dropper post - my biggest beef with the Joplin's are the outer clamping plates seem to fail over time). Just an occasional broken spoke with the wheels, and I did run into the freehub issue with the Iodine - but CB makes an easy-to-install fix for it - no issues since. Light, and laterally stiff. Just another perspective... Although I liked the box comment Ithnu - it really is a VERY fancy box (and makes you wonder how much are you paying for it out of the price).

I'm with ya I have two wheel sets, 3 Iodine 11 bars, 1 opium 3 bar, Acids, Mallets, 50/50s, Joplin 4r and have had many other CBs parts including pedals and a Joplin r, all which I've never had any problems with that I didn't cause my self. Crankbrothers haters are funny people, who mostly ride band wagons

Here are the opiums 3 bars on my Session when I first got it and the Iodine 11s on it now(both 780mm).

[Ithnu]

I had a CB 4" Joplin. After 3 rides I put my regular seat post back on. The thing would drop an inch during hard climbs.

I have a Specialized dropper now, had it all summer.

Another note, my team had a CB sponsor and still only a few guys out of a dozen bought their parts. We dropped them last year. Everyone was buying Answer and Sun Ringle through our Hayes sponsor.

[b-kul]

cb has been great for me, pedals, stems, maybe im lucky.

[LeeL]

The CB sticker kits have been flawlees

[Ithnu]

The CB sticker kits have been flawlees

Must spread rep...hilarious.