carbon bars & handling

[Miranda]

I know some of you that own carbon bars you say a benefit is more hand comfort. I.e. the carbon bar helps to soak up road vibration, just like a carbon frame. So... that's one of my main reasons for upgrading from my alloy bar.

My question is... how does it change bike handling?

Notice any difference with the bar being lighter? Diff material? I have read some negs of people getting used to carbon wheels (shimming-vibration) on descents. Just didn't know if corning, descending, was diff with the carbon.

My Orbea's stock bar was the alloy version of this. I have no beefs with it... so I was just going to get the idential bar in carbon. In link below...
http://www.orbeaproshop.com/products/detail.aspx?id=68

Ops?

Thx-
Miranda

[Cataboo]

I can't say I'm a super fast cornerer, but I'm quite happy descending fast.

I don't notice any difference with the carbon bars in terms of handling, they do soak up vibrations and make my wrists happier.

I use the fsa k-wings and like the flat area.

As for carbon wheels... My spinergy rev-x's soak up vibrations and chip seal like nothing on earth... the bike comparatively feels heavy I guess you would say, the wheels are heavier than my others... but I'm fast on them I don't corner hard on them and try to take it somewhat easy 'cause you hear tons of horror stories about those wheels... but they do warp if you corner them hard (the bf has done it on them... pushes the rim into the brake pads).

I don't notice shimming vibrations on descents... I do gain a ton of speed downhill with the wheels. They're a bit freaky on a windy day or if a big truck passes me.

[Miranda]

I can't say I'm a super fast cornerer, but I'm quite happy descending fast.

I don't notice any difference with the carbon bars in terms of handling, they do soak up vibrations and make my wrists happier.

I use the fsa k-wings and like the flat area.

As for carbon wheels... My spinergy rev-x's soak up vibrations and chip seal like nothing on earth... the bike comparatively feels heavy I guess you would say, the wheels are heavier than my others... but I'm fast on them I don't corner hard on them and try to take it somewhat easy 'cause you hear tons of horror stories about those wheels... but they do warp if you corner them hard (the bf has done it on them... pushes the rim into the brake pads).

I don't notice shimming vibrations on descents... I do gain a ton of speed downhill with the wheels. They're a bit freaky on a windy day or if a big truck passes me.

Thanks, Catriona. That's exactly what I was looking for. I have also considered getting carbon for wheels, besides my bar. When I got my new bike, that change in itself was enough. My stock wheels are Reynolds Solitudes. Good alum clincher, w/semi-aero rim. I too can tell the diff in the wind overall. Part is the whole bike is lighter. Part is the semi-aero wheels. But, seems like that got better towards end of season, from completely freaking out I would get blown over at the start. The lbs offered to do a change upgrade to Reynolds Attacks w/carbon. Now, along with my carbon bar, I'm wishing I would have. Unfortunately they chip-n-sealed more of my fav riding roads. So, my vote is, let the carbon soak up as much as possible.

Any more ops, bring em on.

[Ana]

My LBS suggested these "buzzkill" (Bontrager) things you stick on the end of your handlebars instead of bar ends They are supposed to soak up the vibrations. Because it's been cold/snowy/icky, I haven't tested them yet but I will let you know!

[nscrbug]

My LBS suggested these "buzzkill" (Bontrager) things you stick on the end of your handlebars instead of bar ends They are supposed to soak up the vibrations. Because it's been cold/snowy/icky, I haven't tested them yet but I will let you know!

I have the BuzzKill bar ends on my bike, and I have to say that I really don't feel that they "soak up" a lot of road vibration. And I'm riding a full carbon frame (Cervelo Soloist Carbon). I think I'll be looking at carbon bars, next.

[Ana]

I have the BuzzKill bar ends on my bike, and I have to say that I really don't feel that they "soak up" a lot of road vibration. And I'm riding a full carbon frame (Cervelo Soloist Carbon). I think I'll be looking at carbon bars, next.

Oh, I'm so disappointed to hear that! My LBS said I could bring them back if they were overselling it and I didn't find them helpful

[Cataboo]

Unfortunately they chip-n-sealed more of my fav riding roads. So, my vote is, let the carbon soak up as much as possible.

Any more ops, bring em on.

I do fine on my titanium bike on chip seal as well - which I think could be partly several reasons - my chip seal is like 2 years old now, my core is a lot stronger than it used to be, it does have carbon handlebars, and I think titanium is just not jarring. Chipseal on an aluminum bike is just unpleasant buzzing and jarring, the ti gives a buzz, but it's not unpleasant and doesn't jar. The ti bike has a quick lively feel, my all carbon bike doesn't have the same liveliness even though it does feel more powerful accelerating - and I haven't figured out whether that's just because I'm not getting as much feedback from the road on the carbon or what. Either way, I like both bikes

[MartianDestiny]

I haven't noticed any handling difference with carbon bars (have them on my roadie, mountain bike, and soon the cross bike as well).

Honestly, I buy the carbon road bars because they are the only ones I can find in my size and in the style I like. I'd be buying them in aluminum as well if they made them in aluminum. Since I haven't ridden my (full carbon) road bike with anything other than these carbon bars I can't really say if they soak up any vibration.

My new wheels however, have smoothed the ride out just a hair.

I would think that bar characteristics such as width, drop shape, and reach would have more affect on handling than material.