OneUp Carbon Bars | Is The "Compliance" Legit? (Compared & Reviewed)

OneUp components is back at it again, "one-upping" the rest of the competition with their 35mm carbon handlebars designed to achieve the perfect carbon bar with just the right amount of compliance vertically, stiffness laterally and a price point to crush the field. These bars are paired with their EDC Stem, brilliantly engineered to not need a star-nut so you can fit your EDC tool inside the steerer. Does this OneUp Components carbon bar and EDC Stem stack up to the huge field of other options and actually work better? We put it back to back against the best bar/stem combos from RaceFace, Truvativ, and Renthal. We learned a ton doing this test. Handlebar compliance, or some could say flex, actually makes quite the significant difference in feel. How does that translate to you on the bike? Is it solving a problem? Find out in the vid!
Special thanks to OneUp Components for hooking us up with the bar and stem combo for the review!
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[@WorldwideCyclery]

What handlebars are you currently running on your bike?

[@NoBrakes23]

I've yet to find anything as comfy as Renthal, (Carbon or Alloy,) but that's partially because I like a shallow bend. My LBS gave me a deal I couldn't pass up on some Scott Syncros Hixon takeoffs, so my current project bike will be sporting those. Being an old guy, I'm a fan of compliance, so Spank's Vibrocore and this OneUp bar have certainly caught my eye.

[@spencerblackwell4374]

Diety mohawk carbon

[@175thStreet]

These! Oneup carbon 🤘

[@jxrxch]

Spank Vibrocore 31.8mm 50mm rise 800mm width... 50mm rise as my bike's stack is lower than i'd like... had Joystick carbon but like these Spanks a lot

[@th_js]

Nukeproof Horizon

[@maddoxmcpherson3731]

You guys should do a “blind” handle bar test where you black out the bars and see if normal riders can actually tell a difference without know which brand they are or if they are carbon or not

[@benyujr.6545]

Would be interesting if you blindfold the rider too. 😀

[@graysonadams2485]

@@benyujr.6545 haha that's what I was thinking he'd say

[@jacebmace]

Was just logging on to post the same comment. Great minds ...

[@smeash1295]

haha same

[@Chuckolicious]

I know this comments section is old and dead, but gotta say I totally agree. "Tests" like this are not tests at all. Best bet would be to have like 6 identical bikes, setup identically with every metric: suspension, tire pressure, etc. Bars wrapped so rider doesn't know which is which, hopefully wrapped identically so you can have rider repeat certain bars randomly without knowing they are. Further, have them only test climbing, then only descending. Just the fact that he's climbing and descending multiple times is going to drastically change his perception. The MTB industry as a whole really needs some more empirical testing for basically everything.

[@tomchase2954]

I would've liked to have seen Deity in the comparison.

[@175thStreet]

Hell yeah! I got some of those bars a month back from you guys and LOVE them. I totally noticed the compliance and bought them because of my common hand fatigue issues and these totally help me on long rides. 👍👍

[@WorldwideCyclery]

Sweeeeeettt

[@symmetricon1982]

I got a weekend on the bars and stem and love them. The compliance of the bars is noticeable imo. The stem is also nice, it allows you to get perfect even tightness on the handlebars. I'm also running the rev grips. I spend my days at the bike park and now get no hand fatigue.

[@esdubya]

Maybe you shoulda compared carbon 31.8 in this video too, just to give us a overall view!

[@caleboshier3505]

I love this back to back review, thanks!

[@willmoua1]

I prefer stiffer bars. Stiffer seems more precise and accurate. Had an easton monkey lite, and whiskey no.7. Carbon bars. They were way too noodly. I'll stick to my alloy bars

[@4wheelfan365]

What width were you running? Would there be much of a difference between a stock 800mm bar vs a bar cut down to 770mm? Do you think the cut down bar would be noticeably stiffer vs the uncut bar?

[@byronswogger]

I was waiting to compare the Spanx vibrocore since it's so similar

[@solobellimino2356]

Being a rigid single speed rider, this definitely an interest

[@thelegendmtb3483]

Currently running Spank Spike 800 x 50mm vibrocore bars, super sweet bars, they work very well. Very intrigued by the OneUp bars, however still cautious of carbon bars, being a big dude and riding hard, but if I were to go carbon it'd definitely be OneUp. I concur with your opinion, OneUp make some badass gear and I'm super stoked on all of it.

[@raupenimmersatt6906]

The Vibrocore bars are the best choice imo

[@Jaredcouture12676]

lol The sexy music and seductive slow motion as you tightened the locknut on your grip. 🤣🤣🤣

[@workhorsemtb7075]

Can you say stiffness one more time please?

[@dylan-5287]

Oh yeah, screw that nut with 6nm. Come on baby, don't stop.

[@igniaulfsborg8946]

Wow, I’m really impressed to hear an honest opinion amongst the marketing speak. Thanks!

[@Tyresandsoles]

Great review and test comparison. Nice one guys :)

[@jonnysnakes5417]

Ive got rf atlas 35mm and have been looking for carbon bars to take the sting out of the chunky trails around here. Well stoked on the review.

[@WorldwideCyclery]

You may have found your answer here sir 😁

[@playgroundchooser]

I just found this video because I too am going to go from RF Atlas to something "softer" because my hands can't take a full run anymore. How did it work out for you?

[@jonnysnakes5417]

@playgroundchooser they do help, i dont notice any flex and steering is still as precise as any other bar but my hands can hold on for longer

[@outbackwack368]

Very thorough HONEST review. Great job!

[@WorldwideCyclery]

Thanks!

[@themiddleagemasher8108]

Running the race face next carbon 760 mm. They work perfectly. I get numb hands so the fat paw grips and bars definitely help

[@WorldwideCyclery]

Nnoooiiiccee.

[@RATBURL]

Love when you do Shoot Outs on different products 👍🏻

[@MrDirrrty]

I like how he had to clarify quickly what he meant by “me too” 😛.

[@slapperdinky]

Me too 😅

[@arctifoxdrew4362]

Jeez u should do music! You got bars!!

[@PhilipProchazka]

Finally something different and useful, i did think about this since i did have extreme pain in my wrists after pursaging rental fatbars, i did not know why but i did sell my bike becouse of noticing few other things beeing wrong like my brake positioning. funny thing is i did buy a bike with descendants :D so i can see all of my direct comparison without testing :) THANK YOU!! this will save my day!

[@Pienimusta]

Their dropper lever is superb for the price when compared to stock setups.

[@WorldwideCyclery]

Agreed!

[@TheRickysee]

Thanks fior the excellent (as always) explanation, and your hair (as alwyas) looking epic today.

[@Craig-mk6wn]

Good evaluation Jeff. Well done.

[@WorldwideCyclery]

Thank you Craig! Ride on.

[@Musicsson]

Good review! Thanks! Just ordered it in 35 mm rise since I wanna give my Santa Cruz TB a more DH-friendly position & feel in rowdy terrain. Despite, it is lighter than the stock bars SC delivers.

[@hammertimee777]

i always feel that with bar stiffness and compliance, one is not better than the other. Sometimes after you've used a stiff bar for a long time, it feels refreshing to use a soft bar and vice versa. If you do strictly down hill, then a a soft bar is great. But if you do all kinds of riding, then you should get a stiffer bar for efficiency. If your hands are feeling tingly or stiff from a stiff bar, then maybe you should adjust your tire pressure, tire brand, tire model, fork air pressure/rebound/compression settings, different grip, and different gloves.

[@hardtailparty]

I wonder if the stem stiffness is coming into play. I run 760 bars. I've got the Next R bars and the OneUp bars and they both feel almost identical to me. I can't feel any noticeable flex/compliance in my oneup bars. Worst case scenario, I found some bars I like as much as my Next R bars for $65 less. That's a win for me. I wonder if I were running them at 800mm if I'd notice the difference more.

[@andyfaden]

Hi - just wondering what the bars are that you found for $65 less ? Thanks

[@BullyGovJ4F7775]

I love my Race face next r 35. No pain, arm pump, etc ever and i have wrist problems as well as numbness in my hands from doing almost anything from diabetes and they feel great. I really want to tey tbe one up bars now.

[@hardmtnbiker]

I’d be interested to see they feel on my fully rigid single speed.

[@ShoppingBag]

Me too. I'm running Chromag OSX on my 29+ fully rigid singlespeed and my wrists + fingers hurt after a full day in the mountains. I've never had wrist + finger pain before, but this is my first 35mm diameter bar.

[@deepbluesky6546]

Is it weird that we go find gnarly trails and then spend tons of money to make riding them more comfortable?

[@ASAP2525]

And then we make even more gnarly trails and the cycle repeats

[@yoondaman316]

I think it would be great for a hardtail or something with shorter travel, say, 120mm. Hope that I am not repeating anyone else's comment.

[@lagwall]

Great video with very useable information. Thank You!

[@Tomzzzzzz]

Good info! I wonder how where the Santa Cruz carbon bars with 20mm rise would fit on that chart? When I went from my old Tallboy which had 31.8 carbon bars to a Hightower with SC's 35mm carbon bars I immediately noticed how unforgiving the 35mm bar was on rocky/chattery descents. So much feedback up into the arms that it hurt on long descents! This could also be due to the going from a Fox 32 to Fox 36 fork. I think the sweet spot for a trail bike would be a 34mm fork paired with this OneUp bar. That's probably what I will use for my upcoming Tallboy V4 build. Plus the OneUp price point is spot on!

[@mattrohr1266]

I replaced my Nukeproof 31.8 , both cut to 780 and it is noticeable and worth it. it feels like you have another 10-15 travel of when you hit sharp edge stuff or chatter at speed, far less arm pump, but I fortunately dont really have a problem with. Love them

[@twowheelslater7112]

Cool there is an option with 35 now. I run an Enve M5 bar on my xc rig for the compliance.

[@WorldwideCyclery]

Yeah definitely. Lots of riders loving 35mm ride bars these days so cool to see OneUp make these bars in that rise as well.

[@rod2emmaus]

Great 👍🏼 Review! I’m sold on One up 😎

[@ZenEndurance]

The answer is D shaped carbon like some seatposts. Will flex down on bumpy surfaces but stay rigid when pulling on climbs.

[@jeffs2031]

Well thought out & put together video. I have RF Sixc currently.

[@bikebudha01]

It's been 3 years since this video came out. Is there any brands making forgiving bars like the OneUp, or is OneUp still the only compliant game in town?

[@Chromedome-ss6mg]

I'm running easton haven 35mm bars. Love em.

[@mattleonard5268]

I think handlebar diameter can only go so big and at some point they’re gonna start going smaller for a while. Just for staying ahead of the trend, I’m running 25.4. I’m ahead of the curve.

[@ShotShapeFitness]

This was a great video! Have you done anything similar with carbon wheels? I’d love to know the feel difference between Enve, DT, Zipp...etc.

[@raupenimmersatt6906]

Yeah you feel the lighter Wallet with Enves - and then they brake lol

[@saturupiah5940]

Love to see that too. I ride on Roval Control SLs. They're way cheaper than Enves and for me they're perfect. Re handlebars, just got the Enve M6 handlebar and stem haven't put them on yet.

[@graysquirreltreeservice7299]

Nice running race Face 35

[@binkzera2777]

You should do a blind test, hiding the handlebars.

[@WorldwideCyclery]

You could easily tell the difference between the OneUp bars and the others. But the difference between all the stiffer bars would be hard if not impossible to tell. Most are pretty similar in feel but the OneUp. I was shocked at how much difference there way. Coming into this test I thought it'd be total placebo effect but it ended up not being like that at all.

[@binkzera2777]

Worldwide Cyclery Cool stuff. I think some long term testing with some epic rides would be necessary to determine which you prefer. Anyway, have you tried the Spank Vibrocore bars? They supposedly have yet another feel to them.

[@tallpaull9367]

also, be great to run the same test with a 200-240 lb. rider and see what they think

[@grantzupanc7372]

What rise have you been riding? Also do you need to use the one up stem with the bars? Hope all is well!

[@WorldwideCyclery]

I have been riding the 20mm rise bar because for a little while that is all they offered. But they just came out with a 35mm rise bar as well. And no you do not need to use their stem, the bar clamp diameter is 35mm like any other bar so it will work with any 35mm clamp stem. 🤘

[@grantzupanc7372]

@@WorldwideCyclery thanks!

[@Shooterthecat1]

Nicely done!! Thx!

[@focus04]

damn i am in the market for some new handlebars

[@ericpmoss]

So, if you had the Zipp 3Zero Moto wheels, and this bar, do they complement each other, or do you end up getting vagueness in handling? Would then adding a more compliant seatpost in the mix help, or are you always off the saddle?

[@th_js]

How do you add a more compliant dropper post??

[@WorldwideCyclery]

That's a good question! If you start mixing in all of these new age "compliant" carbon components at what point does the bike get flexy ...? My assumption is that it won't because all of this stuff is still a bit stiffer then it's aluminum counterparts. But would be fun to test and try and quantify!

[@ericpmoss]

@@th_js Good point -- I don't do any gravity riding, despite having a dropper.

[@suhail8554]

If I want to make Bicycle Handlebars using carbon fibre/epoxy, using Resin Transfer Moulding. What are benefits of using my selected composite material and process for the part? What are the main difficulties for the design and the manufacturing?

[@ToshJucker]

I love that you did this back to back test, I’ve been having that exact problem with the rental lite carbon 35 bars getting mega hand pump during park/DH days. For most of my rides they are amazing, unlike the stiffness, I’ve just been really noticing the abuse on the downs and I’m not sure it’s worth the trade, or just stick it out. In your opinion, what are you going to ride?

[@owenamos3863]

I was riding the renthal carbon downhill bar 31.8 on a stumpjumper . My hands were going numb. Now i'm riding aluminum bars. No more numbness

[@RickyDownhillRDH]

Jeff rides? I thought he was just a desk jockey. 🤣

[@wittwer427]

“Unless I’m at whistler and hitting braking bumps all day” bruhhhh. Just did 3 straight days in the park riding all day. Pretty sure I got arthritis now.....

[@WorldwideCyclery]

Haha yep! Bike parks will eat your hands alive.

[@AJ-we9kd]

Bike parking is the only real place I would consider this. I would still pick a beater dh bike over my fancy trail/enduro bike with compliant carbon bars. Still a killer piece of kit at a great price.

[@peaohvee1784]

I just did 9hrs of bike park on a 130/120 mm bike.............I can’t even write anymore

[@Whitehawkvisionfilms]

Very Helpful!

[@reinholdachleitner2069]

Nice handlebar comparison shootout.Good bike handling skills.Its a pity you don't do handlebar weight comparison,many weight weenies out there including myself.Cheers.

[@Klips005]

Have you guys compared Spanks Vibrocore bars to these or anything similar?? Thanks

[@erikgmolina]

Running Yeti 780 carbon, wondering what bars they compare to the most on your test?

[@brandonwalker8611]

Jeff, how do you guys at worldwide cyclery feel about 31.8 vs 35mm bars? I’m only 145 lbs and so I’m scared to put a 35 mm carbon bar on my bike and be too stiff. What thinkest thou?

[@zoubtube]

I have to agree that oneup really does have great products, especially for the price. I have the dropper, pedals and chain guide and all three have been flawless after a quite of bit of use. the dropper is an excellent value and a very solid product

[@WorldwideCyclery]

Completely agree. Crazy how well they make products, innovate design and somehow crush the competition when it comes to pricing as well.

[@laurenceturner9346]

I'm running carbon bars with integrated stem, 220g all in.

[@hutchowens4353]

I wish there were more sweep options for people with bad wrists like myself. I’ve had a hard time finding something with the right amount of rise and sweep.

[@elguero7185]

Im debating between this one and pnw range handlebar? Any thoughts?

[@ks2717]

I couldn't make it out, but what helmet are you using?

[@WorldwideCyclery]

POC Tectal 👍

[@ImRokhound21]

Jeff what helmet are you running in this video?

[@WorldwideCyclery]

POC Tectal. Love that helmet. I like the looks but it also just fits super well and the straps don't interfere with glasses. I'll probably upgrade to the new Spin version at some point once this one gets old or I bonk it on the ground. Here's a link for you - www.worldwidecyclery.com/products/poc-tectal-helmet-uranium-black-md-lg

[@Mrich775]

I'm running a flat s-works carbon bar, ultra light, low and racy, just my style and fit.

[@cedriceveleigh]

No comparison with Vibrocore bars? Compliance is not the same thing as vibration damping.

[@calvinregan1559]

What is the brand and model of the bike helmet you had on during the testing?

[@Josh-sm3hg]

Do I need a special stem to run a One Up carbon bar?

[@scottpratico1315]

I thought fork sensitivity was taking out trail chatter?

[@mtbbrisbane1065]

Renthal bar all the way. Tried race face on one of my new bike, almost killed me. Guess I was spoiled by renthal.

[@jtphotography0]

Your local trails look fun!

[@WorldwideCyclery]

They really are! Come ride with us some time.

[@jtphotography0]

@@WorldwideCyclery I wish I don't have any time even summer 😩

[@ChannelZeroOne]

Would feel trust tasking large gap jumps with these on a regular? I am talking 10 to 15 ft gap or table tops, nothing too big. 20 to 25 mph. The short landing is what I am concerned with. I have had a few hard lessons and pretty much boycotted anything carbon since.

[@oli_wats_on]

What about jump trails and stuff you pump. It kinda like the argument between having flexible carbon rims and having stiff carbon rims

[@eric9432]

Just picked a set of these up but pretty disappointing that they don't come in 820's. Hopefully the feel will be worth the lost width.

[@ertai222]

Why do you need so wide? Anything past 780 seems to be pushing it and will probably cause you shoulder problems.

[@eric9432]

@@ertai222 not at all. I'm build like Sasquatch and have really wide shoulders and all. Actually had my shoulder rebuilt after completely destroying it and have a bunch of surgeries. And going down to much less hurts more honestly. I have tried from 780 up and 820 seems to be that sweet spot for me. Actually ended up sending the 800's back and grabbed another 820 bar after a few rides.

[@ertai222]

@@eric9432 if it works it works i guess. That's why they make em.

[@AppalachianDroneFlights]

"We're out here on the trail today"...translated to "I'm standing in the same shop I'm always in with a green screen behind me...dat audio and lighting doe!" lol. Keep up the great work.

[@th_js]

Just ordered one :D

[@koukimonzta]

i like wide bars but in 10mm riser

[@XCRiders]

How do they all compare to an aluminum bar?

[@AwesomeRedKite]

what are those "posts" on next to each of your grips?

[@Jean-jk4zv]

Bought a Neat oxygen carbon and omg this is too stiff for me after thousands km with al bars, dunno if I will go back to carbon bars for 100g saving ... Maybe I may try this one up as a plan B. 😮

[@bryceridesbikes]

I was hoping to see a comparison to a high end alloy handlebar like a renthal alloy bar or RF Turbine R

[@spacetaco1]

Not one stiff joke? WTF Jeff ? lol

[@307.William]

Watching this in2023 wondering if the one up is still the way to go

[@WorldwideCyclery]

Good question. I talk about this more in our upcoming video for the most popular products of 2022 which comes out in a week or two. Short answer is yes if you are looking for that much flex. Nothing is as good at that. However I have also changed my taste a bit and on bikes with 100mm+ travel I am liking a bar with a bit more rigidity as long as I am not riding ultra long downhills or the bike park. I helped design the Trail One Crockett carbon bars to be this middle ground of rigidity with some flex but not too much. Hope that helps. Cheers! - Jeff

[@307.William]

@@WorldwideCyclery I’m looking forward to your update! I ride a lot of really rough trails, full of holes from cattle, rocks, roots etc. And some long rides. My last Enduro I couldn’t feel my hands by the time I finished a stage. Thanks again

[@thelongestnameinthecomment9677]

They should make clipless pedals

[@ashevillescarborough]

Why not throw in a aluminum bar or two in the test as well?

[@jtphotography0]

Is carbon more brittle than aluminum????

[@oscarsimpsonjacka7917]

I’m pretty sure it’s better in every way except when it breaks carbon snaps but aluminium bends

[@bradmetzgar7344]

I run the OneUp on my DB Mission Pro bike. And the RaceFace SixC on my Trek Top Fuel. Can certainly notice the difference between the two. I do prefer the OneUp a bit more. Leads arm fatigue for me. May switch over to the OneUp on my Trek, as well.

[@zepp3lin]

All these bars can be solved with Rev Grips, nothing beats a stiff bar with Rev Grips.

[@cheeseburger3209]

Ive got rev grips on these one up bars. Thats where its at

[@freethinksman4393]

I would love to see a comparison between these and the French manufacturer Baramind. They make 3 different suspension handlebars called BAM- the MTB, City, and Trek. I use the Trek and it really does what it claims. I don't know if they have a U.S. distributor yet, but I ordered mine last year and they only took a week to get from Paris to Vermont. Absolutely worth it.

[@NoBrakes23]

@2:23 I see you, undercover TOGS user.

[@trapy1989]

What width were you running?

[@jazzechos1372]

Ok so what about a fatigue test and a crash impact test? The best fiber bars do not surpass aluminum in a crash but do extremely exceed aluminum in shock.vibration fatigue tests. where do these fall?

[@paul--b]

I had a crash where my shin snapped a carbon bar. I think it acted like a crumple zone in a car, my shin injury could have been worse with an aluminium bar.

[@jazzechos1372]

@@paul--b Ouch that had to hurt but in over 30 years of riding I have not seen or experienced of that type of a crash. Fortunate you are for sure but in most crashes that just effect the bar, the aluminum typically is still rideable vs the carbon most likely would not be. I just that when they start messing with the shapes and the pattern lay in order to optimize for a desired effect they then want to mess with the number of layers. I myself would like to see the standard test done before I were to risk my dental work. We seem to take the innocuous handlebar for granted. Just like cutting threads in a steering tube just to stash a kit of tools. I have yet to see a sticker that says place threads here...also given that the manufactures are also concerned about the weight of their product, I would think they would make the tubes as thin as possible just to save on material cost. I have seen those babies snap,

[@rawmancemtb]

3:43 for the graph.

[@luminousfractal420]

i'll stick with my vibrocore which are brilliant. raceface..cheap overmarketed overpriced (like maxxis). i do like your plug though 😂 dont need a star nut...no you just need your steerer thread cut and to spend about $120 more on a cheap multitool. star nut and keyring allen set ftw ($6 for both and its lighter)

[@neilmartinez143]

Thanks for this. Will this work with a Deity Copperhead, 32.8mm, 50mm stem?

[@makda971]

Carbon is too stiff for my liking going to go with some Ali burgtec ones next time

[@rrrrrhino]

How about the Wren bars?

[@verymental6999]

Reverse Seismic Carbon - love’em

[@mtnbikerva1]

Is 31.8 always better than 35, for downcountry or trail riders? Not everyone is REDBULL RAMPING.