Keep getting Roost's adverts daily, for their Ti bars and I do fancy a pair but they are too costly for me ($400 AUD!)
I'm kinda tempted with a set from (dun dun duuuun) Ali Express which are $140 AUD and I could then buy a set for my FS and a set for one of my Zaskar rebuilds. They can't be that bad, surely?
Anyone run these? Or suggest a better option? Give us a shout if you died while using them.
Following with interest. Someone on here got a custom ti frame from titan cycles which seemed nice. They do bars for around £120-140 that I’m curious about
A friend really loves his Stanton Ti bars. Says they’re the most comfortable ones he’s every ridden.
On a mountain bike?
With mountain bike levels of squashiness in your tyres and front suspension I'm pretty sure any difference in 'feel' in handlebar material is snake oil or emperor's new clothes talking and wouldn't pass any blind comparative testing.
I have Thomson Ti bars on the hardtail I usually use for bikepacking duties. They're undoubtedly lovely, but I really bought them for the added sweep, not the material. That they match the frame is a bonus.
Once upon a time Sick bikes were offering Ti bars, I assume bought from a catalogue. A mate (who is 8 stone wet through) destroyed a pair.
“With mountain bike levels of squashiness in your tyres and front suspension I'm pretty sure any difference in 'feel' in handlebar material is snake oil or emperor's new clothes talking and wouldn't pass any blind comparative testing.”
If only!
The vibrations a rider is subjected to vary hugely in amplitude and frequency, which is why having multiple systems in series each with different compliant, damping and resonant characteristics can make a significant difference, especially on long descents.
It’s so easy to over-simplify things and shout “emperor’s new clothes”. Are all the riders who’ve had problems with hand and finger pain and reduced/solved it with different bars or grips simply delusional? I’m not one of them but I know enough about engineering, and resonant systems in particular, to correct you.
The Young’s Moduli of titanium alloys are about 50% higher than aluminium alloys so titanium would need thinner walls to be more compliant as you can’t really change the diameter of bars due to stem and grip standards.
to correct you.
Still call bullshit! Big,fat n' smelly!
On a bike with smaller volume tyres, and rigid forks I could see perceived difference having some truth. And definitely sweep and grips can make a difference. But I just don't see a Al->Ti bar switch making a substantive difference considering the magnitude of the other variables.
Convert (BEng)
Fools and their money however....
I have Thomson Ti bars on the hardtail I usually use for bikepacking duties. They're undoubtedly lovely, but I really bought them for the added sweep, not the material. That they match the frame is a bonus.
Similar thinking for the ti hardtail
Depends on the particular bars, but it's absolutely possible to feel a difference on a mountain bike with suspension. Obviously not if you just happen to find Ti bars that are exactly the same stiffness as aluminium or whatever was on the bike already. That would be disappointing, and unlikely.
Not got much experience with Ti bars but had loads of alu and carbon. Recently removed a pair of carbon bars from my Epic that were so stiff they made the fork feel like it was buggered. Put previous Thomson bars back on, which aren't particularly compliant compared to some, yet the bike felt fine again.
Still call bullshit!
Well, you’re wrong. And it would be trivial to prove it to you. Back to back rides, on a bike with 170mm travel and 2.6” tyres… there are bars that still feel night and day different, immediately, on any engaging downhill. Bars inbetween the extremes would have more subtle differences that would take a big day out for you to notice much difference… and of course there are many that just feel the same, being designed and built in similar ways. Like most components. Of course material choice is only one of many attributes, and material choice on its own does tell you nothing… the range of feel you can get out of just using carbon, or alu, is huge.
On a mountain bike?
With mountain bike levels of squashiness in your tyres and front suspension I'm pretty sure any difference in 'feel' in handlebar material is snake oil or emperor's new clothes talking and wouldn't pass any blind comparative testing.
This is completely reasonable and makes perfect sense, it's just that it also isn't true. Even a fairly minor difference like, say, the difference between my old super stiff enves and my softer nukeproofs was very noticable. But I doubt many people would fail to notice the difference you get from, say, my crank bros Cobalt 11s, they are visibly bendy. I took the old bars off that bike because I was having comfort issues after short descents, to the extent of sometimes having to stop for safety reasons... fitted the Cobalts and then solo'd a 7 hour race without so much as a twinge. Changed no other parts.
And it would be trivial to prove it to you.
That you could prove it is possible to feel the difference between extremes of the softest and stiffest bars? Yes, I'm sure you could.
Sadly, that's not the point of discussion here......unless you want to fall in to the trap of thinking all ti=extreme flexy & all al=extreme stiff.
The question here is can you perceive the difference between a ti bar and an al bar. So in other words, if you built two pairs of bars of the same shape and of the same stiffness, could you perceive the difference because of the different material? There will be one, testable in a lab - I just don't think you could feel it in the field with all the other variables - not least tyres and suspension.
Back in my windsurf days my carbon masts came with an IMCS stiffness rating. And the difference between different masts was marked with some sails being very sensitive to the right mast and not riggable on the wrong mast. Earlier in windsurf history you'd buy masts with flex tips or constant curve. On shore they all looked basically the same.....kind of like handle bars. Totally different stiffness characteristics - same material. Personally I'd like to see bars sold with a stiffness rating in the same way and it might get rid of some of this hockus pockus that a specific material choice automatically changes a user perceivable property.
And I say this with the complete irony/hypocrisy of owning two ti bikes (that feel completely different to each other in terms of stiffness), one steel bike and two cf bikes still in active service with the same again of retired frames of all material flavours in the loft.
If you built two bars to feel much the same, out of different materials… they would feel the same. Not sure what your point is. Of course you can build a Titanium bar that is as, or less, comfortable than a given alu bar. So?
What do you mean so?
Are you one of the mugs that just assumes that a change in material automatically constitutes a change in component performance characteristics? They are born every minute I'm told.....
Without getting into detailed discussions, buy handlebars from a reputable manufacturer who uses quality alloys.
Ti-3Al-2.5V seems to be most popular amongst those manufacturers who specify; seamless aircraft grade FTW
I bought a Stanton ti bar. Expected to love it, prepared myself for all kinds of increased hand and wrist comfort- didn't happen. Gone back to a carbon bar.
Are you one of the mugs that just assumes that a change in material automatically constitutes a change in component performance characteristics?
No. As reading my posts above would tell you.
Not that I would call anyone using material as their first/main decision factor in trying new bars a “mug”, myself.
Anyway, I would only buy bars from a reputable source. And now that plenty of brands make properly tough but also comfortable carbon and alu bars, I’d pick one of those.
We have here an argument over nothing, you're both saying the same thing in the end.
All convert said initially was, as I see it, that he doesn't see any point in switching bars simply "because titanium" and you're unlikely to see any difference (unspoken: unless you know there's a difference in flexibility, which may have nothing to do with material choice alone).
Then others misunderstood slightly and said "but flexibility does make a difference!"
And now we're just going around in circles.
Assuming that's all correct, can we all just shake hands and agree to agree? 😁
No.
Because as soon as someone posts " I am an engineer" all bets are off 😉 🤣 🤣
All convert said initially was, as I see it, that he doesn't see any point in switching bars simply "because titanium" and you're unlikely to see any difference (unspoken: unless you know there's a difference in flexibility, which may have nothing to do with material choice alone).
Then others misunderstood slightly and said "but flexibilitydoesmake a difference!"
Exactly - you need to do my PR
And now we're just going around in circles.
That'll be wheels you are think of there.
Can we stick to opinions from people who've used ti bars, rather than what someone thinks a set of ti bars might feel like?
Much-apreesh.
Can we stick to opinions from people who've used ti bars, rather than what someone thinks a set of ti bars might feel like?
Yep, I have a pair of Ti flat bars, a pair of Carbon riser bars and a pair of alu risers bars. In a blind test there is no way I could tell the difference as they all feel the same as far as vibrations to hands and as someone who rides rough gravel roads with 25c tyres at 80psi I know about vibrations.
Can we stick to opinions from people who've used ti bars, rather than what someone thinks a set of ti bars might feel like?
The Rust ones were really comfy. But were only available in low rises (like a lot of Ti bars). Since then there's been a proliferation of carbon bars released that are just as good at reducing buzz while remaining hard hitting (even if they don't look as pretty as metal bars).
Can we stick to opinions from people who've used ti bars, rather than what someone thinks a set of ti bars might feel like?
The Rust ones were really comfy. But were only available in low rises (like a lot of Ti bars). Since then there's been a proliferation of carbon bars released that are just as good at reducing buzz while remaining hard hitting (even if they don't look as pretty as metal bars).
Roost do flat 20 and 30mm rise now. There was some talk of possibly a 50mm rise but nothing more than talk atm.
On this build I'd prefer Ti bars (to go with the Ti seatpost, and brake levers) with SID's
The other Zaskar build will be carbon bars/seatpost based and I've got a pair of Exotique carbon forks on way to me.
I'd want bars from a known company with a reputation, where they have gone through proper testing and actual riding. If I really wanted something on AlieExpress I'd buy most components, but not handlebars. Perhaps it's just me who gets intrusive thoughts about handlebars snapping.
I've ridden Thomson Ti bars a few times. They look blingy but couldn't say much about the ride quality without riding the same bike with different bars for comparison. They're not known for being particularly springy as I recall.
Has anyone mentioned Taz and monolith components yet?
https://www.instagram.com/monolithcyclecomponents?igsh=MXF6enBsZ3hycjY4Zw==
I'd want bars from a known company with a reputation, where they have gone through proper testing and actual riding
Yeah I get that. People seem to be riding Chinese Ti frames though and I've not heard about many people reporting the frame fell apart or rode like shit. I think for $120 (around the same price as "branded" ally bars) and for the use they will get, I'm not expecting any dramas.
I ran a Ritchey branded carbon seat post for a couple of years on a steel hardtail with no issues. Yes, it's a risk. Everything is these days. 🙂
I have ridden ti bars back in the day. Beautiful damping properties, but that was back before the days of 35mm clamping diameters, so some of the give may have been down to the inherent flexibility of a narrower gauge. Maybe combining a narrower gauge with something specifically designed to offer vibration damping might give you what you are after.
Having ridden Renthal aluminium bars, I can confirm that there is such a thing as a bar being too stiff, and having run Renthal alloy and carbon One Up side by side, the difference is night and day.
If you are after the ti feel, but not so bothered about the looks, the carbon One Up is a decent best of both worlds option.
There are parts of a bike that I would trust to a punt on Ali Express. Handlebars are not one of them. I value my safety and front teeth more than the £50 price difference to buy from a well tested handlebar from a company with liability insurance!
I've gone from Easton/Race Face carbon 35mm bars to One Up. I think there's a significant difference in feel despite 2.5" tyres and 170mm forks.
Just to be sure, I tried to test them blind, but I just kept crashing.
If you are after the ti feel, but not so bothered about the looks, the carbon One Up is a decent best of both worlds option.
There are parts of a bike that I would trust to a punt on Ali Express. Handlebars are not one of them. I value my safety and front teeth more than the £50 price difference to buy from a well tested handlebar from a company with liability insurance!
I want the Ti feel AND looks... but not at $400 like the Roost bars are. The difference is $300. I've not seen any 35mm ones tbh. I'm just after 31.8 for coastal paths. Be lucky to do anything more serious than a quick bunny hop off a curb.
I was lucky enough to pick up a set of Thomson titanium flat bars at a really good price. They're really nice (but absurdly pricey new).
Torus bicycles might be worth a look. I have no personal experience of them but they do seem to be reputable and affordable. I think that they only do flat bars (not sure what you want).
https://torusbicycles.co.uk/TiBars
Van Nicholas are a known quantity & also do affordable ti. flat bars.
Stanton do a riser, it £220 but that's half the price of a Thomson ti. riser.
There are parts of a bike that I would trust to a punt on Ali Express. Handlebars are not one of them.
+1
Partially because I can't see it being something you could get right by accident or just copy another design.
Generalizing from memory, Aluminum alloys are relatively stiff for their strength Vs weight, so by the time it's strong enough, it's also stiff. Steel is actually stiffer, but even more stronger, hence why Cotic make their claims around the sea tube stiffness of the FS bikes, if you constrain the dimensions then the steel part will be stiffer. Ti on the other hand isn't stiff at all, so you actually have to design things to be stiff enough, and then the strength is already sufficient.
Which is why you see a lot of Ti frames (because the triangles inherently help the stiffness problem), but very few Ti forks, and when you do get Ti forks, they're oversized compared to the steel version. And why Ti springs are popular because you've got a dimensional and stiffness constraint, but not strength so Ti comes out lighter.
I'd trust Taz's raisers with the cross-brace as a result. I'd maybe consider something similar from a known Ti fabricator. The Thompson bars on the other hand must be witchcraft or something*.
*clever butting
Convert (BEng)
Spoon MEng (Hons)
Stanton do a riser, it £220
That's more expensive than the Roost bars I was hoping to avoid.
Thomson - the budget option *LOL* $968 on Amazon. That's $700 more than the actual bike cost me. It's a hard pass.
I think I might just end up with the Roost bars and I'll fund them by selling some of my surplus retro parts. Seem to have amassed a fair bit of kit in the old parts bin. Paypal Pay in 4 and move on....I reckon for intended purpose the Ali ones would be OK but there's that niggling seed of doubt. My teeth are already farked but dentistry is not cheap here.
I got my Thomson bars cheap.off the classifieds in this very forum. Doubt I'd have paid full RRP for them.
"Which is why you see a lot of Ti frames (because the triangles inherently help the stiffness problem), but very few Ti forks, and when you do get Ti forks, they're oversized compared to the steel version. And why Ti springs are popular because you've got a dimensional and stiffness constraint, but not strength so Ti comes out lighter.
I'd trust Taz's raisers with the cross-brace as a result. I'd maybe consider something similar from a known Ti fabricator. The Thompson bars on the other hand must be witchcraft or something*."
Having ridden loads of ti bling, you've not known flex until you see the deflection in a ti unicrown fork under heavy breaking. My black sheep forks were terrifying 🤣
Which is why titanium truss forks work so well, huge offset, braced and light-ish. There is no way I'd have a ti unicrown on my 36er as it would be a total noodle.
Bar wise you can make Ti riser bars stiff and safe without bracing, but the wall thickness means that they are hefty old things, which is whey we trialled various setups to get the right feel and strength with our braced high rise bars and we use a thicker wall on the double bend flat bars.
We've got some more honkingly wide ti bullmoose with a decent sweep under test at the moment following on from the years of testing and abuse with the Stooge "taz-bah"
I think that's why 35mm ti bars are really not that common. Something about stiffness at the clamp and compliance. Got a bit sciencey and I got bored.
And... I've just seen some Stanton bars in silver which I can pretend at Titanium and they're only $99. hehe
This thread has inspired me. What about a grouptest of Chinese budget bars?
Just look at these beauties, carbon bars for £12.60 including shipping!
Testers wanted, apply below.
I've now got Roost ads popping up everywhere online...nice bars...could be a sign
hehe sorry guys if you're getting spummed now
Just look at these beauties, carbon bars for £12.60 including shipping!
Actual carbon, or carbon wrapped? Have to say, my knock-off carbon Ritchey seat post worked well. By well, I mean I was never in a situation where I was picking shards of carbon from my bum'ol. Which is nice.
Actual carbon. 175g. What could possibly go wrong?
