35mm or 31.8mm

[Bigred123]

Looking at replacing my bars with carbon bars but not sure to go 35mm or 31.8 with it being Emtb should it make any difference, looking at hope bars or the Raceface next R, I weight 93 kg ready to ride, just thinking being on the beafier side would there be to much flex in 31.8

 

[VWsurfbum]

I found 35mm bars to be stiffer but buy the right bars and they build in compliance.

 

[Paulquattro]

Hi
Its personal preference really
Obviously a thinner bar will flex more generally but if your going carbon the lay of the carbon will be of more importance
Personally i like the feel of alloy bars better i find carbon bars to harsh .

 

[zorro77]

Hi, I'm asking myself the same questions, I have a very nice oneup 35 carbon but it's not really soft, maybe I would find benefit with an aluminum 35? or should I try a 31.8? weight 90 kg

 

[steve_sordy]

I'm sure that I read on one of the reviews of the kind "ten worst upgrades......" that upping the diameter of the centre of the bar was one of them. Sorry I can't recall where I saw it but I'm sure that a determined search would find it.

 

[irie]

After trying a few bars we have PNW carbon The Loam 31.8 bars, they're compliant enough to dampen some of the worst small bumps but stiff enough not to be noodles. 31.8 is nice too because there’s a huge choice of stems. Reasonable price. 80 kg (ish) ready to ride, Trek Rails alloy 2022.

 

[zorro77]

After trying a few bars we have PNW carbon The Loam 31.8 bars, they're compliant enough to dampen some of the worst small bumps but stiff enough not to be noodles. 31.8 is nice too because there’s a huge choice of stems. Reasonable price. 80 kg (ish) ready to ride, Trek Rails alloy 2022.

I was just looking at the PNW but I thought I'd try an aluminum hopefully more flexible and less rigid, am I wrong? I don't care about weight

 

[irie]

I was just looking at the PNW but I thought I'd try an aluminum hopefully more flexible and less rigid, am I wrong? I don't care about weight

"More flexible and less rigid" than what?

 

[zorro77]

"More flexible and less rigid" than what?

of ONEUP carbon 35

 

[irie]

of ONEUP carbon 35

Haven't tried one, only interested in 31.8 (also see what @steve_sordy said above). As far as I can see 35mm bars are a solution looking for problem.

 

[Bigred123]

Do like the look of the hope carbon bars with the weave showing, so I think it’ll be these to try in the 31.8’s. Finger crossed l like them as want the stem as well

 

[Mikerb]

The only potential difference between carbon and ally bars is that carbon can be lighter...albeit minimal.......and allow more flex. So much depends on the actual layup of carbon bars to determine performance in use but be aware that invariably if a lay up is used that allows more flex it is likely as well to deliver much faster reflex. That can translate into something not desireable on trails with repetitive small hits. Personally I never found an issue with ally bars from Raceface or Deity.
With regards to bar diameter we are only talking a bout the centre of the bar held within the stem. The bigger interface between stem and bar with a 35mm obviously increases strength.
So for my money 35mm, ally, good brand rather than no name stock bars on many bikes when sold.

 

[irie]

The only potential difference between carbon and ally bars is that carbon can be lighter...albeit minimal.......and allow more flex.

Disagree.

Carbon layup means that directional flex characteristics can be controlled as required. For alloy bars that would mean having in places thinner bar walls thus compromising strength.