Renthal Fatbar Reviewed

For a while now I have been riding with a set Easton EA30 low rise bars which are 685mm wide. But because of the demanding style of downhill riding, I felt that I had to move on to something flatter and wider, as 685mm is considered quite a thin bar nowadays. Growing up riding motocross and motorbike trials I was always using a Renthal bar, inherited from my Dad. Then when I heard they were making a mountain bike bar I was stoked to try a pair on my Transition Bank.

The Renthal Fatbar comes in two different dimensions either 750mm wide with a 20mm rise or 720mm wide and 38mm rise both uses an oversize 31.8mm clamping diameter. I choose the 750mm/20mm option because I prefer a low rise bar and 38mm rise is too much for me. These bars also come with a great Alugold finish that go very well with most Rockshox coloured stanchions making your front end look sweet. At first I wasn't too sure if the 750mm wide was right for my hardtail and my body shape as they felt a little bit uncomfortable having my arms stretched out so wide whilst riding. But on my first ride with them at my local BMX track I started to notice the differences of wider bars early on, especially jumping and cornering.

To start with by having your weight distributed further apart on the front end this makes it easier to corner faster and lower, by having better balance on the bike therefore not upsetting your body position whilst riding. When jumping I have found that by having a wider bar makes it easier to lever the bike whilst maneuvering in the air and the sweep that the Renthal Fatbar offers makes all of these techniques much more comfortable. After my very successful first ride I still was not sure on the width of the bar, so I decided to cut 10mm off each end to bring the bars down to 730mm. This is made very easy by the helpful markings already on the Renthal Fatbar and the use of the Park straight cutting tool. Out in the car park I could already notice the difference as my arms weren't feeling stretched apart but I couldn't wait to try them out at my local downhill trails for the real test.

Once again I noticed a real difference first time on these bars, hitting a short quick track with a couple of berms, two small jumps and a small drop. The bars instantly felt considerably more comfortable riding at speed and helped me progress getting faster throughout the day. Even after a few rides I am already well made up with these bars, especially after being a long term user of their motocross bars. I am also very confident that these are going to help my riding progress further and faster.

RRP: £59.99. For more information visit: www.renthalcycling.com