Carbon Bars on MTB

Cee-Jay-Cee

I've been offered a set of Giant SLR carbon bars at a very reasonable price. The bars are in perfect condition and were only replaced as the seller wanted longer bars. I'm tempted but just a little bit dubious about the strength of 720mm long carbon bars on a MTB. I have carbon bars on both my road bikes and have no qualms about using them unlike many other but cant help but feel 720mm long bars couldn't possibly be as strong as 720mm long alloy bars.

I find the bars on my Cube 29er very harsh and stiff and would love to 'soften' the steering a little but not at the expense of them braking and causing me serious injury.

rizzodun

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I've been offered a set of Giant SLR carbon bars at a very reasonable price. The bars are in perfect condition and were only replaced as the seller wanted longer bars. I'm tempted but just a little bit dubious about the strength of 720mm long carbon bars on a MTB. I have carbon bars on both my road bikes and have no qualms about using them unlike many other but cant help but feel 720mm long bars couldn't possibly be as strong as 720mm long alloy bars.

I find the bars on my Cube 29er very harsh and stiff and would love to 'soften' the steering a little but not at the expense of them braking and causing me serious injury.

Carbon bars aren't a new thing, that's why they're manufactured, there's a market for them, as long as they're in perfect nick and you give them a good look over should you crash I can't see the issue.

steamsey

Cee-Jay-Cee wrote: »

I've been offered a set of Giant SLR carbon bars at a very reasonable price. The bars are in perfect condition and were only replaced as the seller wanted longer bars. I'm tempted but just a little bit dubious about the strength of 720mm long carbon bars on a MTB. I have carbon bars on both my road bikes and have no qualms about using them unlike many other but cant help but feel 720mm long bars couldn't possibly be as strong as 720mm long alloy bars.

I find the bars on my Cube 29er very harsh and stiff and would love to 'soften' the steering a little but not at the expense of them braking and causing me serious injury.

If you look at a brand new decent Enduro / Trail bike these days it will come with 790/800mm carbon bars! No issues there with strength. No one really seems to be concerned with carbon bars in relation to strength. I have been using them for years - no issues. As said - check over the bars (and rest of bike) after any spills you have and you'll be fine. 720MM is short ish - are they for XC or Enduro/Trail riding? What height are you? I'm 5'9' and run 740MM. Simple test - sit on saddle - close eyes - reach hands out in front of you onto bars - see where they naturally land - repeat few times. That's not a bad gauge of how wide your bars should be

C3PO

Never had any issues with carbon bars on my mountain bikes - and they definitely help with the trail buzz!

Cee-Jay-Cee

steamsey wrote: »

If you look at a brand new decent Enduro / Trail bike these days it will come with 790/800mm carbon bars! No issues there with strength. No one really seems to be concerned with carbon bars in relation to strength. I have been using them for years - no issues. As said - check over the bars (and rest of bike) after any spills you have and you'll be fine. 720MM is short ish - are they for XC or Enduro/Trail riding? What height are you? I'm 5'9' and run 740MM. Simple test - sit on saddle - close eyes - reach hands out in front of you onto bars - see where they naturally land - repeat few times. That's not a bad gauge of how wide your bars should be

Sorry my mistake, my own bars are 720mm straight bars and the SLR carbon bars are 750mm. I find the 720 bars a tad too short at times and find myself griping the very ends of the bars and was also looking to kill some of the buzz from the alloy bars hence the reason for looking for wider carbon bars.

They’ll only be used for XC/road.

nak

Carbon bars on my trail bike, no issues.

saccades

800mm 35mm carbon bars here, stupidly stiff and rated for downhill racing.

Just check where the brakes etc have been clamped for damage.