Carbon Bars in Size46??

WIGGUM1 said:

Hello,
So I have shopping around for some carbon bars. I am finding it difficult to find them in 46. Does anyone know if 46 is just too large for the carbon construction? Deda offers a full carbon in 46 but its outrageously expensive. For you techno junkies, I'd like to hear the reason 46 is rare in carbon.

Thanks in advance for your insight.

46 is rare in CF because it's a rare size that's used. That's all. If you really want CF bars in a 46, you're going to have to pay.

You'll find more alloy bars in 46, but you won't find a lot of them.

What's the reason for buying CF bars?

alienator said:

46 is rare in CF because it's a rare size that's used. That's all. If you really want CF bars in a 46, you're going to have to pay.

You'll find more alloy bars in 46, but you won't find a lot of them.

What's the reason for buying CF bars?

Okie, the main reason is to upgrade the second string city/rec bike to a stiffer bar (existing bar is like Gumby). So I figure i upgrade the first string and swap 'em. Something stiffer, more absorbent, light, and ergo friendly is what I'm looking for basically in that order. Performance has a nice deal on the E3 OS bars but the largest is 44. That's the scenario, your feedback is welcome and appreciated.

WIGGUM1 said:

Okie, the main reason is to upgrade the second string city/rec bike to a stiffer bar (existing bar is like Gumby). So I figure i upgrade the first string and swap 'em. Something stiffer, more absorbent, light, and ergo friendly is what I'm looking for basically in that order. Performance has a nice deal on the E3 OS bars but the largest is 44. That's the scenario, your feedback is welcome and appreciated.

I forgot to mention I'm 6'3" 200 lbs.with shoulders around 19".

Have you given 44 cm bars a try?

As for "absorbent", I assume you mean vibration damping? You can't really make that assumption about CF. It all depends on what the layup schedule is for the CF. About the only generalization you can make is that CF is better at damping high frequency, low amplitude vibrations. I can't generalize about the high frequency spectrum, though. Suffice it to say normal road conditions don't cause such vibes.

As for stiff, CF doesn't perform any better than alloy bars. Again, it all depends on the layup. Frankly, I think the new 3T bars are the hottest bars out there. They're plenty stiff, and they offer a variety of different anatomically shaped drops. The common theme is that their anatomic bars use a progressive radius on the drops. Unfortunately their largest size is 44 cm.

Alright, I searched 20+ companies for 46cm CF bars and found the following companies make CF bars in your size:

Bontrager
Easton
IRD
Syntace
Zipp

All of 'em make good bars, but Zipp and Syntace are the bars non plus ultra.

Good luck with the search.

alienator said:

Have you given 44 cm bars a try?

As for "absorbent", I assume you mean vibration damping? You can't really make that assumption about CF. It all depends on what the layup schedule is for the CF. About the only generalization you can make is that CF is better at damping high frequency, low amplitude vibrations. I can't generalize about the high frequency spectrum, though. Suffice it to say normal road conditions don't cause such vibes.

As for stiff, CF doesn't perform any better than alloy bars. Again, it all depends on the layup. Frankly, I think the new 3T bars are the hottest bars out there. They're plenty stiff, and they offer a variety of different anatomically shaped drops. The common theme is that their anatomic bars use a progressive radius on the drops. Unfortunately their largest size is 44 cm.

Thanks Alienator, I have ridden 44 a handful of times (sweet pun). Though I have not logged any long rides on them, I feel the 46 are more comfortable, but I am open minded.

Based on your comments I think alloy is back in the consideration race.

The 3T's are definitely sweet looking, but there are many options if I want to spend 300 dollars. I wish there was in intermediate option between the Rotundo PRO and Team versions as that is the price range I'm in.

I guess first and foremost I need to determine if I can be satisfied with 44's as it seems this 46 is limiting.

WIGGUM1 said:

Thanks Alienator, I have ridden 44 a handful of times (sweet pun). Though I have not logged any long rides on them, I feel the 46 are more comfortable, but I am open minded.

Based on your comments I think alloy is back in the consideration race.

The 3T's are definitely sweet looking, but there are many options if I want to spend 300 dollars. I wish there was in intermediate option between the Rotundo PRO and Team versions as that is the price range I'm in.

I guess first and foremost I need to determine if I can be satisfied with 44's as it seems this 46 is limiting.

Easton EC90 Aero CNT Carbon Road Bike Handlebar?

on amazon for 178 in a 46, i like the ergo, like the brand, any experience with Easton EC90????

WIGGUM1 said:

Easton EC90 Aero CNT Carbon Road Bike Handlebar?

on amazon for 178 in a 46, i like the ergo, like the brand, any experience with Easton EC90????

Check out the reviews for it at Road Bike Review.

alienator said:

Check out the reviews for it at Road Bike Review.

I love Road Bike Review, but was unable to find reviews on this particular product. Sooo, I went forth and purchased the Eastons off Amazon. I'll let you know how they work out. Thanks for your help and have you considered employment as a full time equipment analyst?

Cheers!