#!markdown
Hi Ivan, I think it is fair to argue that it is a cosmetic upgrade over 31.8.
The same way that 31.8 bars looked better on big-tubed alloy bikes over 25.4,
the 35mm bars definitely make for a more organic pairing with the even-bigger-
tubed carbon frames today.
I know that is probably not a valid justification for most people commenting
on MTB media, but Renthal is definitely known for the tuned ride quality of
their bars (alloy and carbon) and it's hard to imagine them switching to the
35mm trend without carrying over those characteristics.
I'd agree that there are some ridiculously stiff (ridiculous!) 35mm bars on
the market - particularly some of the carbon ones I've tried - but I've also
ridden some 31.8 bars that are the opposite of comfortable so I'd argue tuning
the ride characteristics of a bar definitely transcend clamp diameter.
That said, I LOVE The 31.8 x 780mm aluminum Renthal bar I was running until
recently - swapped out for a test bar that is wider - and I'll definitely be
very disappointed if the 35mm version - now in an 800mm width - of the alloy
Fatbar doesn't have a similar ride quality. We have carbon and alloy bars in
for testing and I'll be reporting back on an alloy model once I have enough
hours to comment.
Thanks for reading!
June 8, 2016, 3:04 p.m. - DrewM
#!markdown Hi Ivan, I think it is fair to argue that it is a cosmetic upgrade over 31.8. The same way that 31.8 bars looked better on big-tubed alloy bikes over 25.4, the 35mm bars definitely make for a more organic pairing with the even-bigger- tubed carbon frames today. I know that is probably not a valid justification for most people commenting on MTB media, but Renthal is definitely known for the tuned ride quality of their bars (alloy and carbon) and it's hard to imagine them switching to the 35mm trend without carrying over those characteristics. I'd agree that there are some ridiculously stiff (ridiculous!) 35mm bars on the market - particularly some of the carbon ones I've tried - but I've also ridden some 31.8 bars that are the opposite of comfortable so I'd argue tuning the ride characteristics of a bar definitely transcend clamp diameter. That said, I LOVE The 31.8 x 780mm aluminum Renthal bar I was running until recently - swapped out for a test bar that is wider - and I'll definitely be very disappointed if the 35mm version - now in an 800mm width - of the alloy Fatbar doesn't have a similar ride quality. We have carbon and alloy bars in for testing and I'll be reporting back on an alloy model once I have enough hours to comment. Thanks for reading!