Favorite Handlebars?

[SouthernBelle]

I love my pocos too. But I don't think they come in a 31.8

[ehirsch83]

I am curious as to the reason why you prefer alloy bars over carbon. I have found that anything with aluminum echos the road vibrations versus carbon which dampens it. Definitaly curious to find out others reasons for liking the alloy!

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Like I said, I didn't get the carbon only because the alloy bar was cheaper and because I would have had to get a whole new stem as well. Would have cost me about $100 more overall! So I got the alum alloy Poco bars.
Carbon bars have a thicker diameter where they sit in the stem than aluminum 26mm diameter bars. Carbon bars need stems made for carbon bar diameter.

[rhiannon008]

I also prefer the alloy because the price is right, and the weights are pretty comparable for the size that I need. I also plan on eventually racing, and I am concerned that a crash could cause $200 carbon bars to fail in a major way. Personally, the most comfortable bars that I ever used were OEM bars from a Giant that my bike fitter swapped for my Deda 215 Shallows. Unfortunately, I can't find them in an OS model to fit the stem that came with my new Cervelo, and I am wary of using a shim in my current stem.

~Rhiannon

[ehirsch83]

Rhiannon- On the crash aspect, you get a warranty when you buy bars,through most companies, and they are covered in a crash(so are wheels,frames,etc)

[emily_in_nc]

<raising hand>

Another very happy Salsa Poco 38cm bar user here (alloy version).

Emily

[rhiannon008]

I am sure carbon is a perfectly suitable handlebar material for alot of riders, but I have always been satisfied with the performance and value of alloy. On a full carbon frameset, I think some gel tape and my favorite Bontrager Buzzkill handlebar plugs should work nicely for me. I do wish the Salsa came in a 31.8 for me to try (nice drop and reach numbers), but I don't want the additonal expense of replacing my stem. Thanks for the suggestions thus far, and keep them coming!

~Rhiannon