|   Easton EC70 carbon bar | Optikal
Dec 11, 2001 12:01 PM | | Has anyone tried the Easton Carbon DH bar for trails?
I think that it would make a nice bar...the forces that trials puts on your bars are not as much as DH, but the EC70 is light (225g), wide (710mm), and has a 'limited lifetime warenty.'
The shock absorbtion properties of carbon would be great on a rigid bike.
I think we have a EC70 on order at work...if it turns me on as much as I think it will when I see it, I might have to buy it :)
Also, the MG60 magnesium stem...in either the DH or XC models. With both of these on your bike, you would have a significatly 'softer' front end...and pretty damn light too! You bikes value will skyrocket though, these two parts arn't cheep!
Any thoughts? |
| some experience | ~ScaryFast~
Dec 11, 2001 6:04 PM | | Hey, I have those products on my XC bike kinda...the CT2 monkeylite, and the Mg stem.
Yeah, they're awesome, look cool and get good compliments, but personally I am slightly skeptical as to how much a difference they make.
I concede, though, that it's hard for me to tell its shock absorption with suspension on the bike. I have absolutely no complaints with them, though, that's for sure.
Maybe I am just insensitive, but I also have no complaints with my no name black steel bar and stem on my trials bike.
If you can bring yourself to trust a 'plastic' bar for trials, then by all means go for it...it would be sweet (but expensive) |
| re: carbon bar | jojo
Dec 12, 2001 9:29 AM | | I would have to disagree with your statement about forces from downhill being put on a bar are greater than in trials...sure, in downhill there are a lot of big drops, but usually there is 5-8 inches of travel to help soak that up. With trials, there are all kinds of different stresses put on bars--pulling up to pedal kick, gap, or up something, as well as downward forces from drops. Having broken 2 aluminum double wall bars, I now run steel bars. I'd rather have a material that will show me signs of fatigue (i.e., bending) instead of just snapping. |
| my friend | dexter
Dec 12, 2001 7:07 PM | | ran monkey lites on his trials bike (azonic then brisa) and loves them very light weight and good overall feel |
| re: Easton EC70 carbon bar | Regder
Dec 13, 2001 12:58 AM | | I would say go for the bars but not the stem.
Carbon when used properly can be incredibly strong (used in almost every facet of Formula 1 cars), and Easton does a pretty good job of utilyzing the stuff. The rumor going around (conveniently spread by Easton) is that the EC70 broke their testing machine before the bar itself broke. That's pretty damn strong.
However that relates to straight impact strength, ask anyone who has broken one of the Easton bars dh'ing or similar and they will say it broke during or after a crash. You see during a crash the carbon weave (you must remember your handlebar is made up of highly heated fabric) gets broken causing the bar to fail. If you don't forsee yourself scratching the bar or landing on it you should be fine. It's a pretty expensive risk to take however.
The stem is a different story. I have no qualms with it regarding strength, however I am wary of anything magnesium. For one thing it is a very soft material, easily scratched, gauged, etc. Magnesium also has the bad habit of being eaten by salt. Remember you live in Canada, unless you don't plan on using your bike during the winter (very possible) the stem will get eaten. Ask anyone that has ridden their Rock Shox fork on the streets during winter, it ain't pretty. Hell I even remember someone telling me that their Easton mag stem was being corroded by droplets of sweat falling on it. Of course that was the first year version and they have reportedly changed the coating to one able to deal with sweat better, it's still suspect in my eyes though. There is also the price, Easton charges an exorbitant amount for very little. It's a stem afterall, there certainly isn't any magic going on there. My advice is to get the Thomson stem, for a product as plain as a stem it certainly stands out above the Easton. It's cheaper too last I checked |
| re: Easton EC70 carbon bar | oncor1
Dec 15, 2001 2:51 PM | | I just got an EC70 in the mail. It is apparently the new version of the CT2 XC bar. It is 580mm long (23 inches). The decals are slightly different. I got it on ebay and thought I was bidding on a CT2. I was surprised when I opened the box. If it is just Easton's new name for the CT2, then that's fine. In fact, it's better than fine because now I know it's pretty new. However, I want to check into it first to find out what the difference between a CT2 and the EC70 is. The Easton web site lists the EC70 and not the CT2. When you click on the EC70, however, it takes you to a page with the CT2!!! Whatever. |
| LP Composite | wheely30km
Dec 18, 2001 6:58 AM | | I use a LP composite carbon bar (180g), wich must be about the same as the Easton. It flexes noticeably, giving you a small suspension, very comfy. I would recommend it as long as it holds.
I think it can last longer as an aluminium bar, as carbon is less sensible than Aluminium to fatigue.
I also ride a FRM aluminium stem (130g). For the moment it holds. I know it's taking risks, but it's trials, not downhill. |
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