All Arround MTB

Renthal’s Fatbar is one of the most popular bars out there – its distinctive matt-gold finish graces the cockpits of pro racers and weekend warriors alike. Wisely, they haven’t messed with the winning formula on these ‘version 2’ alloy bars. The shape remains the same, with seven degrees of backsweep, five of upsweep and a choice of rises. What’s changed is that both the Fatbar and the Fatbar Lite are now wider (800mm and 760mm, respectively) and available in black as well as the classic ‘AluGold’ finish. The former has undergone a full structural redesign too, and is said to come in a little lighter – our sample weighs 315g – while the latter is about the same – 280g on our scales. There’s no change to the design of the Fatbar 35 and Fatbar Lite 35, but they now come in black too. The carbon bars are unchanged. Price $105

At 206g for the 800mm version (820 and 840mm widths also available), the eXotic SuperWide is very light even by carbon standards, and it’s cheaper than most alloy options that are 50 per cent heavier. It’s only available in a 31.8mm diameter and with a 25mm rise, but the eight-degree backsweep and five-degree upsweep feel fine. There’s no central grip strip, so we’d advise torquing up your stem bolts as tight as safely possible (8Nm) and adding some grip paste to stop the glossy unidirectional carbon finish slipping. There are no cut marks either. Ride feel is well balanced, with a bit of initial flex for comfort but a firmer feel under pressure for decent accuracy when you’re pushing the pace. Despite initial cost/weight concerns, the bar hasn’t made any worrying noises during testing. Our previous CarbonCycles sample was fine too, and the company have been trading for over 20 years, which is reassuring from a back-up point of view. Price $87

At 800mm wide with a 15mm rise and seven-degree backsweep (or a 30mm rise and nine-degree sweep, if you prefer) and 35mm clamping diameter, this is right in the big-bar sweet spot. Indented cut marks make trimming easy, and the firm but not numbing ride will appeal to high-control fans who like to know exactly what’s happening at the front wheel. The 248g weight and the fact that the distinctive design, with its hexagonal centre and bulged ‘shoulders’, has been unchanged for several years point to reassuring strength that nothing made us doubt during testing. The shape does make fitting lights or other accessories a pain, though. Price $187

As used by the likes of Brendan Fairclough and Sam Blenkinsop, Deity bars are becoming a popular choice with racers and freeriders. The 800mm-wide Blacklabel is available in a range of rises (15, 25 and 38mm) and seven colours. With five degrees of upsweep and nine degrees of backsweep, it puts you in a slightly more centred position on the bike than equivalent bars from Race Face or Renthal. The 355g weight (25mm rise) is comparable with those two, though, and on the trail it offers a good balance of handling precision and compliance. There’s not much to fault here, though the bold graphics aren’t quite our style. Price $85

A trusted name in dirt jumping and street riding for many years, Atomlab are now back in the UK and this bar is just one good reason to check them out again.

NUKEPROOF HAVE REDESIGNED their Warhead Carbon riser bar for 2016 and it looks and feels like a highquality bit of kit, especially when you consider it’s one of only a few composite bars to come in on or under the 150$ mark.

The sixc riser is an old favourite, winning the ‘best carbon bar’ accolade in our last group test. Upping the clamp diameter to 35mm has enabled Race Face to make this new version 15mm wider but even lighter (220g for our 10mm rise sample).

Joystick started life in Canada but their range has recently been getting a lot of love in the UK and we’re not surprised. The 8-BIT bar is a seriously wide (800mm) piece of smoothly tapering pipe that adds masses of steering leverage.

We’ve seen a ton of carbon handlebars hit the markets over the years. over time, they have grown wider, stronger and stiffer but most maintain the same basic tubular shape from one end to the other. The new Box X Bars appear to have broken out of that mould with a unique crosssectional shape that is both fashion and function.

Even in a crowded market a really outstanding product can come along that resets the benchmark, and when it comes to alloy bars that's exactly what the Vibrocores do.

CHEAP AND CARBON are two words you rarely want to hear used together, but we've had no issues with this carbon bar from direct-sale specialists Superstar.

DEITY HAVE A great reputation for downhill and dirt jump bars but this Tracy Moseley signature steering stick is all about the enduro.

RACE FACE'S SIXC is an old favourite and the new version has become an instant go-to test upgrade. The literal big difference is an increase in width to 785mm (from 750mm), which puts serious swagger into your steering.

WHEN WE FIRST tried the Strut we were wary. The fact it was significantly lighter and cheaper than other bars rang alarm bells even though Kinesis have always turned out excellent products.

MOTOCROSS MEETS MOUNTAIN biking in this ultimate brawler's bar. The 780mm width gives plenty of leverage for crowbarring your way out of high-load situations and the limited sweep and rise (20 and 38mm also available) give it a really aggressive feel.

RAGLEY'S EVOLVED WISER nails on-trail control in a great looking, great value package. The big change is an increase to 760mm width (from 740mm) for a useful bit of extra muscle.

EASTON PRETTY MUCH forged the reputation of reliable carbon fibre bars back in the day and their latest Haven Carbon offering doesn't disappoint.

ENVE HAVE AN enviable position at the top of the carbon fibre component aristocracy through their work with Santa Cruz and others. The lightweight Riser bar performs accordingly but is priced that way too.

THE SIGNATURE BAR of enduro racing legend Jerome Clementz is unsurprisingly aggressive in shape. The 750mm width is a happy medium in terms of power-assisted leverage and tree dodging on tighter technical trails, but it's chop marked if you do want to cut it.

RITCHEY HAVE ALWAYS made distinctive bars and their WCS Trail Rizer is true to form. Rather than bending from the centre, the Rizer sweeps back from the front edge.