I am looking at getting new flat bars and trying to decide between different materials. I have an EA70 right now that I want to switch to eathier something like an EC90 (or similar carbon bar, weight wise) or a 118g Ti bar. A carbon bar will save about 20g, but I am leaning towards Ti because I will be using bar ends and the carbon bars don't really like them. I have a ti stem and a Syncros Ti post, so the Ti bar will match those, but my forks are carbon, so carbon would look cool as well.
Also, how do Ti and Carbon bars compare for shock absorbtion?
I can't compare the two, but I've friends that won't ride plastic and swear by their Ti bars. One in quesiton has the wider Titec (Hellbent Flattracker Ti's - no longer to be had) on all of his bikes - SSs and gearies, huckers and non-huckers. After trying in vain to find some wider Ti bars, I decided to go with the MaxM MX6. They're worth taking a look at - while not stupid-light, they're probably as strong as Ti but much cheaper.
You should be able to use bar ends with the EA90 (did you mean EC90?) no problem. I would go with the titec. Its light, matches the bike, and will at least bend before it breaks. Its also cheeper than the carbon bar. But you still do have to be careful with bar ends on the titec 118, cause you can crush the bar if you overtighten them bar ends. As for "shock absorbtion" I dont know how it goes with handlebars. But it has been discussed with seatposts and most people tend to side with titanium as the better of the two in that area.
I am looking at getting new flat bars and trying to decide between different materials. I have an EA70 right now that I want to switch to eathier something like an EA90 (or similar carbon bar, weight wise) or a 118g Ti bar. A carbon bar will save about 20g, but I am leaning towards Ti because I will be using bar ends and the carbon bars don't really like them. I have a ti stem and a Syncros Ti post, so the Ti bar will match those, but my forks are carbon, so carbon would look cool as well.
Also, how do Ti and Carbon bars compare for shock absorbtion?
The Titec is not exactly 118 g because it has a shim to fit in the stem (uniform diameter from end to end). Between the 118g Titec against the 99 g EC 90(?), I am more confident with the Ti, besides the EC 90 scratches easily and comes with a ton of disclaimers.
I have both the Titec 118 and the Monkeylite XC lite, a 135 g riser counterpart of the 99g Easton.
older guy
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It's not hard to meet expenses ... they're everywhere.
Well, firstly what I have is the Monkey Lite SL which is longer by about 2 inches compared to the Titec 118 (22 inches). The fact that it is a riser and a bit longer may contribute to its being comfortable and carbon fibre really has a muffling effect.
In terms of durability, the Ti will win hands down. I have another Ti bar (Sakae) although heavier at 160 g and Am Classic Ti seatpost that I bought 12 years ago which I am still using. The Monkey Lite SL has already scratches from installing shifters, brakes & stem. The scratches maybe superficial but it does show its susceptibility against physical injury.
I have had the Titec 118 on my rig for about a year. I like it a lot. I will be a Syntace F99 user shortly, so I am a little uncomfortable with the clamp interface on a carbon bar.
Titec Hellion. Snag'd at Cambria last summer for $49 One of best scores me thinks. Was THE last one they had per the sales lady, so don't start looking at Cambria right now.
Love the feel and durability of ti bars. The only thing I don't like is the weight compared to say my MX5 riser bars. Like 135gms vs 200gms for the cut down to 24" Hellion. Claimed is alike 225gms for the 26" stock size, if I remember right.
The Ibis Ti bar at 142grams is absolutely bullitt-proof and requires no shim as it is bulged in the center for the stem. Made by Ancotech. Good luck trying to find one though.
the Titec 118 on both my training and race bike. Had them for years with no problems. Bar ends aren't a problem, as long as you used the supplied aluminum inserts.
from a Titec 118 to Maxm M5, no regrets so far. It gave me a more confortable ride, can't really feel a difference in terms of rigidity. Also using it with a Syntace F99 no problems.
I had the 118 for a couple years and now I have an Extralite UltraBar. I raced on both and I would recomend cabon over Ti. The light Ti bars are quite flexy, and I only weigh 130lbs. Carbon is lighter, stiffer and has good vibration dampening. The 118 was a great bar, just to flexy. If you go Ti get at least a 140g bar. My UltraBar is under 100g and works great.
No excessive flex, thats why I prefer the Moots and Morati Ti handlebars, they are not the lightest but they give you a lot of comfort (especially with a Ti stem ) and are next to unbreakable/unbendable.
I will put a carbon Maxm on my carbon bike one of these days, that looks to me a good lightweight carbon bar that has been engineered with longevity in mind. It's also the only carbon bar I know of that is suitable to accept bar-ends
I've thrown away all my lightweight alu bars, if you crash, you must replace them (hair fissures on stem area)
In the end it's all a matter of trust
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