As you most likely figured, I wish to journey every kind of bicycles – as many as I can get my fingers on. Whereas driving all of those fantastic bikes, I’ve additionally ridden a whole lot of various kinds of handlebars. I’ve a psychological checklist of favourite handlebars, and the PNW Parts Carbon LOAM Bar simply made it to the highest.
I’ve a fairly broad number of handlebars on that “favorites” checklist. For instance, an previous (’97?) Titec titanium flat bar, Jones H-Bar, Velo Orange’s Nouveau Randonneur Handlebar, two Tumbleweed Bicycles bars, the Prospector chromoly bar, and the Massive Dipper Drop Bar.
I’ve two of the LOAM Bars on two completely different bikes. The Haro Saguaro 1 which is an aggressive “All-mountain” hardtail, and my private Salsa Blackthorn which is a full suspension “all-mountain” bike. In each instances, the LOAM Carbon Bars changed the aluminum RaceFace Turbine R handlebars.
The LOAM Bar has a distinct geometry than the Race Face Turbine R. And, as you would possibly count on, it’s additionally lighter. Within the image above, you may see the distinction within the weight between the 2 bars.
It’s How LOAM Bars Are Constructed…
PNW Parts makes use of a “patent-pending, proprietary CBD layup course of” when developing the bar. They are saying it brings “unparalleled chatter-absorbing consolation” whereas “paired with a super quantity of horizontal stiffness”. I say that the journey high quality of the LOAM Bar is snug and predictable.
The LOAM Bar is claimed to be made through the use of the best high quality pre-preg UD carbon available on the market. Mix the development of the bar with PNW’s anti-fatigue geometry, and you’ve got a bar that delivers the consolation and clean dealing with that’s promised.
The LOAM Bar has been extensively examined and rated sturdy sufficient for eBikes, and DH. Like all PNW merchandise, the LOAM Bar comes with a Lifetime Guarantee.
LOAM Bar Set up
PNW recommends utilizing a torque wrench when putting in the LOAM Bar, which I did (and you must at all times do for any carbon element). PNW additionally conveniently gives a small tube of End Line Fiber Grip carbon meeting paste. They advocate you observe the paste’s directions throughout meeting.
I added the paste to the stem, wherever it’s touching the carbon LOAM Bar. I moved and adjusted the place of the bar within the stem, and tightened the face plate utilizing the required quantity of torque spec. There have been alignment graphics on the bar which made centering and adjustment very straightforward to do.
When ordering the LOAM Bar, you’ve got the selection of 10 completely different decal colours to get matchy-matchy in your steed. I ordered mine with the Moss Inexperienced however had a tough time making use of them. As soon as they have been utilized, I didn’t completely take care of the appears of the decals. I imply, I didn’t set up them very properly, so your outcomes might differ.
Anywho, I opted to take away the decals and run the bar within the good-looking low-key Cement Gray branding that it comes with.
How Does the LOAM Bar Really feel?
Thus far, the bar does really feel a bit of completely different between the 2 bikes. This might be because of many elements. Geometry, headtube angle, quantity of entrance journey, the entrance finish’s lateral stiffness, and driving place all play into the equation.
I really feel the results of the bar a bit of extra on the Haro. The Saguaro 1 is a 140mm journey hardtail, and the LOAM Bar was a game-changer on this bike.
It’s so noticeable that the bar has a vertical compliance that smooths out all the path’s small frequency bumps. On the very first journey with the LOAM Bar, I shortly observed the bar’s geometry relieved the wrist fatigue that I used to be experiencing with the Race Face bars. The distinction isn’t a lot – simply 2º of backsweep from the 8º Race Face to the 10º PNW. However I discovered that small enhance in backsweep extra snug.
In back-to-back testing, the LOAM bar appeared to supply the identical degree of management because the aluminum Race Face bar. Cornering was exact with zero perceptible flex from the LOAM Bar, with sharp and centered steering.
PNW LOAM Bar Specs and Retail
Retail: $159
- Patent Pending CBD Layup
- Premium pre-preg UD Carbon
- Rated sturdy sufficient for e-bikes and DH driving
- Upsweep: 5° Backsweep: 10°
- Width: 800mm (examined) (740mm minimal trim width)
- Clamp dimension: 31.8 and 35mm (examined)
- Rise: 25mm (examined) and 38mm
- Max stem width: 70mm
- Max stem torque: 8nm
- Max lever clamp torque: 6nm
- Max rider weight: 268lbs (130kg)
In Conclusion
PNW makes high-quality components that gained’t break the financial institution. They usually supply wonderful customer support. Supporting PNW is straightforward to do.
All in all, this bar has far exceeded my expectations. I used to be searching for a bar that may be extra snug on my wrists, provided a tiny bit extra rise and again sweep, and smoothed out the small stutter bumps that I often journey on. This bar tackled the problem with ease. Plus, it appears nice too.
The LOAM Bar is competitively priced and reasonably priced for a carbon bar of this high quality.
I might strongly recommend this bar to anybody out there for a large MTB carbon riser bar.
Try the opposite high quality bikey bits that PNW has to supply by hitting the hyperlink under.
