Easton Haven 35mm Carbon Bar and Stem
35mm bars haven’t gotten nearly as much attention as the wheel size debate but that doesn’t mean they’ve been met only by acceptance. “Why do we need another standard?” is a familiar refrain, or “what’s wrong with 31.8?” According to Easton and other 35mm defenders, the increase in bar diameter allows for increased stiffness for a given amount of material, allowing a 35mm bar to be lighter than a 31.8 bar with equivalent specs (including stiffness). For example, there is a 12g difference between the 31.8mm and 35mm Havens, even though the 31.8mm versions are 10mm shorter. It may sound small, but those incremental differences across all the components of your bike are the reason we’re seeing lighter bikes every year.
Earlier this year, Morgan took a look at the Easton Haven 35 aluminum bars. I had the chance this past month to try the carbon version of the Havens.
The specs of the carbon Havens are the same as the aluminum version, with a 750mm width, 9° bend, 5° upsweep and a choice between 20mm and 40mm rise. However, the carbon Havens come in at 188g (20mm rise) and 205g (40mm rise), whereas the aluminum versions are 270g (20mm) and 280g (40mm). For those who prefer bars wider than 750mm, there is the option of the Havoc 35, which have the same bend and upsweep but an 800mm width.
The stem is the same Haven 35 stem that Morgan reviewed earlier, with the only difference being that mine was a 50mm length. Easton offers the Havoc 35 stem in 40mm, 50mm, 70mm and 90mm. 60mm and 80mm length stems are missing from Easton’s 35mm lineup, although 90mm (if not 80mm as well) stems for this intended use (Trail/AM) seem longer than we would expect to see on most bikes.
I’m not much of a weight weenie but will never argue with weight savings, and I’m not a machine so I cannot confirm the stiffness resulting from the 35mm diameter. However they felt precise and stiff, I feel comfortable on these bars, and these rise and sweep numbers worked well for me.
Easton’s quality machining and subtle graphics are present on the bar and stem. I’m alright with “obnoxious” colours for parts, but not so happy with obnoxious graphics. The gloss over the matte carbon looked nice, and the black on black matched the Norco Range I am currently riding as part of the intern bike project. The bar itself is carbon black, but Easton offers 4 colour options for the graphics: black as seen here as well as lime, red and blue.
Easton Haven bars retail for $160 USD, and the Haven 35mm stem is $100 USD. If the spec and width work out for you, the Eastons are definitely worth a look.
Sleek and subtle…
Comments
Callum Bland
9 years, 5 months ago
I like that your running deore brakes. I run deore brakes, and they are great!
Reply
Please log in to leave a comment.