Carbon Vs. Aluminium Handlebars | Which Are The Strongest?

Thanks to Controltech for the products used in this video. All opinions expressed are the presenter's own.
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For years now, many riders have preferred aluminium bars to carbon, as they believe the carbon bars will fail dramatically. But does this actually happen? Are carbon bars actually stronger than aluminium?
Si went to the Controltech factory, and was given free reign of their fatigue and impact testing machines to test aluminium and carbon handlebars to destruction! The results were really quite surprising, make sure you take a look.
Let us know whether you prefer carbon or aluminium handlebars in the comments below 👇
If you'd like to contribute captions and video info in your language, here's the link 👍 gcn.eu/rk
Watch more on GCN...
Which bars do the pros use? gcn.eu/probars 📹
Choosing the right bar shape gcn.eu/chooseahandlebar 📹
Photos: © Bettiniphoto / www.bettiniphoto.net/ & ©Tim De Waele / www.tdwsport.com
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Leave us a comment below!

[@morisjohnny84]

Carbon can cause huge cracks to your wallet.. That is an undeniable fact 🤣🤣🤣

[@scottpaciorek8247]

How about testing some eBay Chinese carbon bars.

[@mistera1mL3Ss]

Scott Paciorek how about no?!

[@i4u2nv]

I'd like to see them tested too. Curious.

[@mistera1mL3Ss]

James Murphy there are a lot of Videos on this Topic. Some are useless ( but hilarious ) to be honest but the other will be helpful​ to quench your thirst for knowledge...

[@stupidasso77]

I did buy a carbon fork off eBay. Did a disc brake conversion on a Specialized Langster. I destroyed a Stans Grail ZTR rim and the fork is solid as can be.

[@Jasonsadventures]

China make the best carbon in the world (outside a F1 team)

[@ginomordocco4710]

The feel of a carbon bar on the road is much better than aluminum as it takes a lot of the vibration out. The beauty of this video and others like it regarding carbon versus aluminum is that it makes us aware of how these materials can fail. Since we are all bike nerds I would bet the majority of us look over our bikes often for cracks and breaks. Especially after we crash or hit a pothole. It’s all about how much you can afford and more importantly we are aware of these things. Stay safe friends and if it’s carbon or aluminum it’s still a bike and that’s why we love it!!

[@IGotsBadFeeling]

Aluminum is cheaper in most cases. And I think it's often good enough for amateur racers or people who just ride for fun. Too each their own I guess.

[@fernandocycling9662]

Onypop yeah...this is my case.

[@szczepankonieczny1666]

Yep, no need to buy carbon bike, just improved CdA by... not messing with lower bars position to have lower air impact area, but lowered down drag factor by using aero shield :D s17.postimg.org/z96xdahpr/Aero_Bike_EU_front_gears_62_T_20170826_122321_for_forum_with_cop.jpg Concept so simply and cheap, that many bike companies might be not interested in it since... everyone can do this at really low cost, so they will not be able promote expensive other "aerodynamic" bikes ;) This shown aero shield is prove of concept only prototype while for 2018 my ALU bike will be much faster by using Schwalbe Durano 1.35 tyres and aero shield optimized to expected cruise speed eg. 30kph or 40kph like expensive TT bikes for more powerfull riders .

[@thedistance1155]

Or bike to work

[@MartinFeigenwinter]

Thanks for this interesting comparison. I have been using a carbon handlebar on my carbon racebike for 15 years. I had light crashes as well and it still does its job perfectly. My gravelbike is suited with an aluminium handlebar. I think if‘s manufactured properly either of them will give you a lot of pleasure. There’s an other point which haven’t been mentioned. The aesthetics. Often carbon handlebars does have a better look and this has nothing to to with functionality. Be honest ... sometimes you just spent the money because it looks nice and it makes you pleasure, don’t you.

[@brucewayne3141]

No handlebars were harmed in the making of this video.

[@albertmanzo9510]

Control Tech Props for such stress testing and demo of safety for riders and their most critical piece on their bikes!!!

[@sidehop]

Wow...ControlTech lives. They used to be like 'the' brand to go to back in the '90s. Glad to see they're still around.

[@djconnel]

A challenge with the carbon is if the crack is under the tape it might go unnoticed, leading to catastrophic failure later.

[@giovannispinotti]

Dan Connelly it happened to a friend of mine: the tape actually held the handlebar together so that he was able to see that the bar was broken but no catastrophic failure.

[@ydvitaSwim]

Exactly, if carbon were damaged, you will feel the softness, still it won't fall apart. And, of course, if there were a crash, you need to check the bike, and not only the bar, but carbon frame too.

[@nikoschrysikopoulos3000]

Really cool test, you should make more testing videos like this!=)

[@earlpolsenbriones8244]

The more you watch GCN the knowlegable you become. Thanks GCN

[@kobehabtie1795]

Nice vids guys you motivated me to start riding more... Like A lot more. Keep it upp

[@gcn]

Great stuff Kobe!

[@enki42ea]

I'm more worried about the damage from when the bike falls on it's side then from a pot hole

[@mudiesimon]

My S Works aerofly carbon bars cracked during use, near (but not on) brake lever clamping area. It started at the hole where the internal cables went in. Luckily I spotted it when fitting new tape, it had gone 3/4 of the way round. I’ve replaced them with aluminium ones, spoils the look a bit, but so would an about to happen death crash.

[@LCDGeek]

I'd like to see a long term reliability test with real world conditions, adding in salt (the influence of sweat) and rain and sunshine to see how those factors impact each material.

[@robbchastain3036]

Thanks for the test, Si, and my preference is aluminum. And thanks to Controltech for continuing to offer bar ends--I like straight bars on my commuter steeds but I like 'em better with bar ends.

[@adamgisherwood]

Would have been interesting to see the impact tests after being fatigued (ie more real world appropriate) and also with lateral as well as vertical impacts (the former being more relevant to crashes, the latter to pot-holes etc) Doesn't look like Controltech were really pushing for one result over the other, if they were trying to promote carbon bars then you would have thought they'd provide a carbon bar without flared tops for the test as presumably a round bar would be more structurally sound (though then missing the aero benefits of course)

[@gkazanjian5976]

what's the actual vibration dampening capacity of those handlebars? Is it something actually noticeable?

[@markbraun1366]

Would love to see the impact test when you drop the bars first. My biggest fear is to damage the carbon structure resulting in sudden break. Test seems to me a little bit too far a way from reality.

[@RixterNow]

Broke two carbon bars in accidents. One doing a sloppy trackstand another after getting bumped off my bike by a car at 40kph. Not wasting my money on carbon handlebar again just to save 50g

[@veganpotterthevegan]

I've crashed at 40mph multiple times. My carbon bars have always been fine. The only bar I've damage was an alloy bar in shipping

[@thisandthat1233]

A friend of mine has broken ENVE mtb bars without even crashing. No interest in carbon bars here aswell.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@@thisandthat1233 99/100, that happens from over-torquing(stem or even brakes/shifters), or from really shitty/crooked faceplate install.

[@thisandthat1233]

It happened a few years ago so I don't know the details what caused the failure. It's really dangerous though for a bar to suddenly shatter like that didn't look very good for the manufacturer. I doubt that could happen to aluminium bars(?).

[@veganpotterthevegan]

@@thisandthat1233 It can happen to aluminum bars. I have 10 years of shop experience and I've seen folded bars and seatposts. Especially with ENVE, you can guarantee that it was user error, or the 1 in 2000 bars with an actual defect(no manufacturing process is 100% consistent and perfect). Fuck, Shimano had to recall Dura-Ace cranks about 10 years ago because of a bad batch of alloy. I saw two failures in person. Literally a 3p degree bend in the drive-side ALUMINUM crank arm. Dude ate shit big time. He's a master's crit racer. Not a big guy at all, just doing sprint intervals. His crank couldn't do a rotation.

[@ryandowney5798]

Oh snap, GCN is raising the bar and providing us the best test of stress, bar none. Can you handle it?

[@sc0608023]

Too much pun. Stop! ;D

[@marshja56]

It cracks me up that some get bent out of shape about this stuff. Glad GCN taped this, hands down it's good info.

[@UltimateRT]

Yea, some people just need their ends plugged.

[@_KennethG]

Hahaha

[@BikeLifePinas]

Too much nutrients going to your brain... :)

[@Bangie]

iv had a alaminium flat bar on a motocross bike break at the tripple clamp and when it goes, it goes. it was if somebody lazer cut the bar off instantly. compared that to how a carbon bar splinters like a tree branch. id rather have carbon because both your hands will be attached to the bike still. when the ally bar went on me, i fell straight off the back of the motorbike as it was the left side that broke off which lead to me grabbing a hand full of throttle trying to hold on with the right.

[@cup_and_cone]

Carbon may be "stronger", but every single carbon handlebar and carbon stem I've used has been noticeable flexier than an aluminum handlebar and stem when out of the saddle and hammering. That flex makes me feel like I'm losing energy and not always in control. They're definitely more comfortable on longer rides, however. EDIT: I should mention the bars/stem since I'll probably get flack... They were Ritchey WCS carbon combo and FSA K-Force carbon combo. I settled on aluminum 3T Ergonova bars and ARX stem, which are noticeably stiffer. I've tried many other bars/stems but these are what I've used in last five years; don't think it's fair comparing 15 year old technology to todays.

[@TUNGMaNX]

I think the impact test should use the handlebars with the same shape.

[@rea50]

Watching all these videos about carbon my conclusion is that carbon is disposable, a very very very expensive disposable thing

[@ChasingGiants23]

brilliant video

[@G4ogami]

excellent vid chaps

[@mcarswell100]

This is a pretty timely video. I just taking a break from studying for an exam in the exact content. I guess that means this counts as study and I can take a longer break.

[@gcn]

*winning*

[@mikagami69]

Hopefully you don't fail, because although this video was timely, the comparison is useless because of different shapes.

[@leonlo4383]

I had those control tech bar ends! back in the 90s

[@OWC2000]

Another great video

[@gcn]

+NY Brit thanks!

[@GameH8rs]

love my controltech ct crossbow on my flatbar bike.

[@the_mad_ratter]

I broke my back in a bike accident a few years ago and can't ride crouched down any more. Could I put BMX bars or similar on my ancient Kettler frame to help (I'm also 6ft6) and how would they affect the riding? I currently suffer badly after the 20-30 miles I ride a day, and have two centuries in 2 days next April, then a 2 day break until another pair of centuries, so I won't be able to lean for most of it, but speed isn't too much of an issue. I will add a huge thanks to GCN for relighting my passion for cycling too - now I go everywhere with my son in the trailer, rather than taking the bus locally, so thanks!

[@helioarouca1200]

That testing machines can make other things💯

[@charlesmansplaining]

Another point to mention about carbon is the consistency in the quality of the manufacturing process. It would be to costly to to incorporate the proper tools to test and ensure the quality as done for the carbon parts used in aerospace or aviation manufacturing. It is a well known fact that if you cut the bars open you will see a lot of areas prone to failure. You don't get that inconsistency with the aluminum. In my opinion aluminum bars are much safer, and a better value.

[@veganpotterthevegan]

Depends on the carbon. That said, aluminum has its manufacturing short comings too. For example...Shimano had issues with Dura Ace cranks cracking due to a bad alloy.

[@waynosfotos]

Very true.

[@charlesmansplaining]

I doubt pro road racers experience many issues with carbon or aluminum, but if you really want to know which material is better ask the mountainbike folks. They will say aluminum almost every time.

[@waynosfotos]

Nothing wrong with carbon parts or the design, as the OP said, it is the quality control that is an issue, it varies to much in production. This is why BB30 is poor, it is not the design, it is the tolerances are not kept fine enough so the bearings don’t line up in some individual frames, causing creaking. The real problem with carbon is when there is an issue it may not give signs of a incipient fault, then fails unexpectedly.

[@waynosfotos]

Also remember the the pro shimano wheels that failed a couple of years ago on a pro team, they blamed the wrong tyre size, but this makes no difference/or sense when running a tubular. That was interesting, how it just failed riding down a straight road after the rider went over a pretty smooth manhole.

[@scotthamilton1054]

its probably good to point out that aluminum is prone to failure due to corrosion brought on over time from sweat. if one has a high sweat rate and isn't changing bar tape often then there can be a catostrphic failure. i had a friend go down and break 5 ribs during a crit due to his bars failing. He is kind of a heavier rider.

[@onilovni1234]

Is anyone else sceptical about the fact that they tested an aero carbon handlebar? Aren't standard carbon handlebars a bit stronger since they are round instead of flat?...

[@dxr2002]

Anthony HT i was thinking exactly the same. The shapes of the bar absolutely changes the integrity of the structure. Retest!!

[@adodgygeeza]

Yep a round bar would be much less likely to buckle.

[@RecreationRendezvous]

Agreed.

[@Fcnicolasdiaz]

i agree with you.

[@kalashnikovcortez1380]

a lot of carbon bars now are going aero, that's an allure of going carbon, right? Why would I want a round carbon bar when I can get it aero? It's a valid test.

[@snookerbg]

what a video! 6 minutes of research and then this conclution to end with :D

[@TheOlivefree]

Kosio Varbenov Fk up need to watch test what's this Google it's youtube get a life

[@baidyabiswas4182]

Hi Sr can u share video on different spokes strength test?

[@S4m_tL]

Spoiler it’s wood

[@thexardas8395]

You can also check vid by Santa cruz about braking GF and aluminum rear triangle. Guess which one did better in that test.

[@freeyourmind9000]

i like your video production. do it your own style dont get bought by big tv networks.

[@acanfield87]

I watched this video because I wanted to hear Si say "al-you-MIN-ium". :) But seriously--I've ridden carbon and AL bars and crashed both--never broken a bar but broke some wheels. I will say that I prefer carbon bars for the dampening and a reduced galvanic corrosion potential with the steel shifter clamps. It's not a commonly discussed issue but I probably sweat more than most folks. I didn't realize it was an issue until I snapped off the drops on an aluminum bar after the corrosion ate through it. With carbon bars, the steel clamp becomes the donor and they rust away. After 2-3 years I replace the clamps.

[@leejefferson7011]

Loved it

[@ViveSemelBeneVivere]

This episode should have shown Si growing a beard and long hair while waiting and eventually looking like Chuck Noland in Castaway. 🧔

[@earthstick]

Although Alu bars have less fatigue strength they are also cheaper so you can change them more regularly. But to decide which one to choose you need to know what kind of forces go through the bar during use. This video has only given us half the information we need.

[@TheUrzur]

Much more interesting would be the impact of the weather, rain, low/high temperatures.

[@sepg5084]

When an aluminum part fails, it is a lot of cheaper to replace. Plus aluminum manufacturing is less prone to manufacturing defects especially if there are no welds involved. Also, i haven't seen an aluminum part fail during a race without it being involved in a crash.

[@RandyChaniago]

do the seatpost test next time please

[@charliewhiskey8440]

You can design either material to any strength you like given there is no weight limit specified and that doesn't matter whats over. I'm more worried about the failure modes. Metal cracks are usually obvious and visible on the surface be it coming from impact or fatigue; carbon on the other hand leaves doubt lingering in my mind even if it looks fine on the surface after an impact. For that reason I stuck with alloy.

[@peteMickeal33]

exactly!

[@sbaxter4207]

What about the efficiency of energy transfer to forwards travel? flex?

[@andrewnicholas7410]

What about impacts to the end of the drop from this side? Like what would happen if the bar hit the ground in a crash

[@mariusvermaak2918]

Si sounds like a material engineer!

[@NordieBoy]

The alloy bar on the impact test got the drops straightened out :)

[@MrGTO-ze7vb]

ISO 4210 .... the Real stress test..!! I love the FSA carbon wings

[@Doodleclassy]

Normal vs osymetric gears

[@NJ-wb1cz]

Are you talking about metric gears from Australia, mate?

[@xGshikamaru]

Oh yeah especially since they just showcased Emma Pooley's bike with non-round chainrings.

[@UltimateRT]

Maybe asymmetric chainrings in general ?

[@raphaelbornert6955]

Some scientific studies have been done on non-round rings and so far it wasn't scientifically proven with statistic significance that they are better, or indeed worse. Granted these studies have flaws like small size samples and limited experiment time. So for now it comes down to feeling good or not with them.

[@szczepankonieczny1666]

Chris Froome's osymetric chainrings doesn'tt need scientific proove - he says they give him advantage and he is wondering why other doesn;t use them :D I use in my road bike aka Froome laser cut three oval chainrings 34/52/62 in MTB aluminium bike s17.postimg.org/z96xdahpr/Aero_Bike_EU_front_gears_62_T_20170826_122321_for_forum_with_cop.jpg and I feel huge difference in fighting sweet spot when compared to classic round chainrings no matter flat or while climbing ;) While climbing at lower RPM i used to slide in sweetspot back by pulling SPD blocks and use its smaller diameter to easier increase average RPM, while in the case of classic chainrings one had to change gears to be able keep going up hill. I believe in Chris secret is how he managed to use their osymetric chain rings, and nobody will know what he exactly does since he shows only average cadence and detailed timing within one full 360 deg chainring rotation is not published as I know - Ibelieve in only after race video analysis could reveal such details by frame to frame anlysis of Froome rotation timing - probbaly it is constant rotation speed within rotation at high cadence, but at lower while standing on bike it might be different, I guess.

[@invygithub]

What about combination of fatigue and stress testing? How much does lifespan of both carbon and aluminium decreases after for example hitting a pothole?

[@jeffreylee5770]

In terms of years of regular use by a rider who rides, say, 10-20 miles per day, how do these measures translate? Is a year if riding like 100,000 stress tests?

[@oddspaghetti4287]

What about a carbon handlebar that weighs the same as the aluminum one? There wouldn't be any weight savings, sure but would it handle the impact tests even better than the aluminum one?

[@josezavala49]

What brand is the carbon fiber handle bar you tested on this video?

[@mikedegraaf6176]

For the price of 1 carbon bar i can buy 4 alloy bars. aluminium: 450.000/500.000 cycles x4 = 1.800.000/2.000.000 carbon: 600.000/800.000 for the same price alloy can last more than 2x longer. Not hating Carbon, just for the price alloy would be a better option.

[@Create_o_raptor]

Carbon or aluminium bars? My choice??.. definitely chromoly .. 😂😂

[@FLMKane]

Hahahahaha Seriously though that depends on the particular aluminum allow. A 7075 bar will be stronger till yield. However a 4130 steel bar will absorb more energy for sure.

[@philtobin9510]

@@FLMKane That's an interesting aspect of Alu over carbon. All alloy used within the cycling industry uses a T6 heat treatment process, I won't go into the heat quench timings because it's boring but, the ideas is that elements are present in different alloys to add different characteristics depending on application which translates to different weaves in the carbon world, 1K-12K, UD and so on. It is said that if your going to go with Carbon rims then go for disc or tubs due to the construction behind the braking surface, ie, Tub over clincher. Steel on the other hand is an, oddly, more complex kettle of fish. With F1 using 531 before carbon mono and with Columbus and Reynolds leading the way when it comes to bi-axle and trumpet tubing. With the testing process and ISO standards and with 10N equating to around 1KG for your everyday Joe, if your the sort of rider that puts down 500-1KW on your normal ride then a non branded frame would be questionable but....and there always is, if you haven't got tree trunk legs then a Chinese frame/grey import is worth looking at. I had ridden a Himod Cannondale for a few years and then bought a non branded frame as a winter ride, once built and dialed in it felt better than the Cannondale. I really wanted it to be crap so I gave it some abuse, this was around two years ago. I still have it and it's as sweet as the day I bought it, I've even bought a Grey imp, F8....just as nice to ride. (There has been some testing and frames being cut up in the world of Pinarello and their spec is frames being made from 1K weaves but having cut one straight down the middle they found 3K within and the outside layer being 1K, this is from the horses mouth and not one of those BS myths. Pinarello frames are finished in Italy with a lot of top end brands having their frames constructed in the same factories as you "no good" chinese frames. To conclude, If you pay your wack then you can have a nicely painted frame with stickers on, if you haven't the wack, then you can have the same frame with no fancy paint or stickers. I can tell this is going to open the biggest can of worms but the proof is in the riding. I've been blanked by other roadies due to riding a unbranded ride, it doesn't matter what you ride as long as you ride.

[@keirfarnum6811]

Mine? Titanium!

[@Doodleclassy]

Carbon vs aluminum wheels

[@nickosagbayani9451]

Carbon is stronger. See reserve Carbon wheels of santa cruz.

[@Jose-hq5gv]

Wheels are so expensive 🥵

[@fernandocycling9662]

I prefer aluminum. Some of them are lighter than carbon.

[@mrpeterfrazier]

Electrolytic induced erosion of al bars with a carbon or steel stem (if the paint/coating of the al bars is compromised)...

[@joshchavers7053]

It’s not impact stress that makes aluminum stronger it’s the fact that it can take more weight and that it will give and bend the carbon just snaps the aluminum will just bend.

[@davegrenier1160]

In the stress test, is the stem standardized? Because the way the (stress) machine works, alternately pushing down on the ends of the bar, how much of that the bar could take is, in part, dependent upon how much flex is in the stem. The more rigid the stem, the more stress is put on the bar (because a flexing stem absorbs some of the energy, while a stiffer stem absorbs less, allowing the bars to take the energy). It would be better to mount the bar directly to a rigid upright, so the maximum amount of force from the machine goes into the bar. Maybe also push down on both ends of the bar at the same time, to maximally stress the bar, rather than inducing torsion into the mount, thereby eliminating a variable.

[@viniciovieirajr.]

OK! Mas qual a liga do aluminio testado? Qual a trama da fibra de carbono? Quantas mantas desta fibra? Usa apenas un tipo? Me parece que há muitas questões a serem consideradas antes de avaliar um e outro. Hugs!!!

[@elachichai]

What information actually matters and how much? Most bikers are not pros much less racers. For realistic stress from usage, and durability should one choose everything aluminium? Do we ever get to customize all components in bikes under £1500? They come packaged as one product minus pedals unless one wants to replace and upgrade. Any suggestions?

[@yongling9825]

I can say yes. AL can be resistant to virtually any force vector (won't say absolutely any force vector, to play it safe), but for carbon, only in its intended ones.

[@secretagent86]

pretty much what i expected. been in lots of crashes in my day, never had my steel frame CINELLI Break in half lol

[@janvirtanen9110]

I once was In a heavy side on collision with a van. Almost everything In the bike was destroyed. But the alu syntace bar did not break.

[@gcn]

Alloy bars certainly are tough!

[@boglin7855]

What about the Nm force when clamping stuff on? I always think carbon compresses over time and that's why things can slip, but maybe it just slips because of the material? Carbon is really _really_ hard - it takes 2 or 3 hacksaw blades to get through a fork steerer.

[@yongling9825]

It's prone to slipping because of the material's nature, this is why carbon paste is meant to be used on smooth carbon parts that are to be clamped. If you try to clamp it dry to have a rotation-resistant force equivalent to an AL counterpart, it could break. And what? I've seen mechanics cut a carbon steerer tube with just one hacksaw blade, saw them cut another one months later, with the same blade, no major signs of deterioration.

[@pv9383]

So in the breaking-test you compare an aero-handlebar with a normal round handlebar? You would better compare apples with apples and pears with pears. What about compairison of stiffness or comfort. I'm currently deciding between two handlebars for my gravel-project. Alu: 233g / 80 Euro. Carbon 190g / 260 Euro. OK, 40 gramm ist 40 gramm, and if you don't know where to safe them, you perhaps need this carbon handlebar. But if you go out for a ride these 40 gramm won't bother you. So for me would be verry interresting, what about stiffness and comfort - maybe also which ist stronger - but only for the same shape and dimension of handlebar.

[@Dparrey]

What about the issue of damage visibility? Isn't it more of an issue with carbon having invisible damage where as alloy it's more obvious to the naked eye?

[@paulstephens1513]

Daniel. Yes, the problem that isn't mentioned is that visible damage could well be hidden under bar tape (happened to me).

[@JohnLumapaskeith]

"We turned the machine off" LMFAO!

[@robertguzowski472]

Are you going to do a similar material on stems?

[@DIEGO.L]

Accident impacts never occur in the direction that the force was applied in this test. It generally happens sideways, which is the weakest part of a handlebar because forces while riding are never applied that way.

[@TroggyPK]

What about on gravel bikes? Do they make handlebars stronger for them? Seeing as they see more stress over time?

[@coreylawson1103]

changing the bar's clamping area diameter over the years has made that area stronger, yes.

[@leochen3898]

I like the thumbnail of Si's face

[@simonrussell2642]

Great video really informative lots more like this please

[@gcn]

+simon russell thanks Simon!

[@gcn]

Glad you like it Russell, more where this came from!

[@jamescatlover123]

I highly doubt the fatigue test. My aluminum bike is 16 years old and still no issues

[@jonnythelegs2597]

I see a lot of comments about steel bars here but how's about titanium people seemed to have forgotten ti bars If done properly as light or lighter than an alu alloy bar but with better damping and fatigue life than steel, I live by the coast so the fact it doesn't corrode either is a big bonus too.

[@carstenweiland7896]

Crashing with an aluminium bar:"Oh it seems fine, lets ride home." A few miles down the road :" Oh Oh ." Aluminium breaks without warning, happened to me twice, switched to steel on my MTB and to Carbon.

[@colnagocowboy]

Ive never had a bar fail on me' but ive broken seat rails, sheared pedals off of crank arms and even bent chainrings.

[@BenRowleythetheoryofeverything]

Would like to see a graphene test

[@markwilliams5654]

Test hemp fibre handle bars or carbon titanium fibre handle bars

[@bee_whisper]

It also depends on the stem aswell. Mixing aluminium components wih carbon can reduce the lifespan of the part especially in winter . This is because the salt reacts with both materials and makes a battery which corrodes the carbon.

[@aminlife]

Which best carbon seat post in the market?

[@b5thomas7]

excellent video... would love to see something similar for wheelsets

[@gcn]

+Brad Thomas thanks Brad, we'd love to try that video.

[@keirfarnum6811]

When I was racing MTB in Alaska, I got sick of dealing with aluminum bars breaking and switched to titanium bars. Titanium rules!

[@joesmithiii6287]

My alloy mountain bike bars just snapped on one side dropping onto the street from the sidewalk . Crash. If any type of bars are old just replace them to be safe. No indication mine were going to break, they just went under a small force load. Glad I wasn't going faster or downhill.

[@zazhogin]

What's a frame brand on 2.48?

[@crypto_que]

After buying a carbon seat post at a steal, I'm once again hooked! Looking to replace aluminum bars by control tech with carbon ones. The difference in ride quality is night and day. The new bars were also a steal at $99, honestly I don't care if they break b/c that level of comfort & lightness is totally worth it. Anyone looking to do significant miles on a bike should be looking at carbon components.

[@mikagami69]

@John And you don't understand how handlebars work.

[@chungyeungvideo]

The time it break may not in as you expected, as you controlled scenario. It just create accident

[@mtbrider1287]

What about aluminum coated with carbon fiber handle bars?

[@ynotnilknarf39]

Carbon both flat bar and drops. Have being riding carbon flat bar on my commute/utility tourer for 8 years, a lightweight 120g job made by Bottechia, I've been rear ended in a hit and run, a spill when a numpty kid ran into me in the middle of the road and a spill on iced over compacted snow down the hill to the supermarket (my fault going too fast). Not a murmour, nor to the carbon forks nor the carbon stays, oh yeah,I'm 102kg on a good day and I carry 20kg+ loads reasonably often and I'm not gentle with the bike. (Spesh globe pro). Just bought some 'PRO' flat bars to go on my adventure/gravel rig, I use Modolo Curviussima on my CF racer. I'm still running TIME carbon composite forks from 1991. Make your own mind up but CF bars all the time for me, I'd never go back to alu, too stiff and not as robust.

[@adonaycerdas3975]

Tengo manivela CINELLI DESDE 1978 y nunca me ha dado problema a pesar que la usé para competencias amateur pero competencia al fin me quedo con aluminio de la marca cinelli saludos desde COSTA RICA .

[@MissingLinkMTB]

I don't think the argument is really understood here. Everybody knows carbon fiber is stronger as it's engineered to be, but only in an "as intended" to be used circumstance. You rightly pointed out that the aluminum would be stronger in a crash, and THAT is why people choose aluminum (well, that and the price tag). Coming from the world of mountain biking I've seen tons of carbon parts having to be trashed because of damage from crashes where an aluminum part would've fared just fine. Case in point is my aluminum Santa Cruz Nomad. The things I've done to that frame.... yet I've not had to replace it because I've scratched it.

[@77DucMon]

So, why did you use a round aluminum bar and an aero with internal cable route carbon bar for the impact test? Possible results were stacked in the aluminum favor by the shape of the bar. For the comparison test to be reliable the bars would need to be the same shape.

[@rollinrat4850]

You should have tested Nitto steel track bars or titanium mtb bars

[@brunorca]

I'd stick with aluminium for the insanely lower price, specially in my country where road bikes are super expensive and I still couldn't buy an entrance level one. That love for Road Cycling will never let me have money to spare.

[@elh93]

RCFP is also a brittle material. Aluminum is ductile, in addition to the mentioned work hardening.

[@mikagami69]

Hardening makes it more prone to breaking, dork. Quit using words that describe processes that you don't understand.

[@jazzguitarjackson]

I'd love to see a video addressing user feel... I find carbon bars mute the feel of the road a bit and thusly prefer aluminum bars with thin, sticky tape.