Poor results four years ago
Over four years have passed since our last Handlebar stem test from 2014 with sobering results. Above all, the series variation in carbon handlebars and the associated risk of breakage were a cause for concern. At that time, the results of the carbon handlebars in the test varied by an average of 74 per cent, which spoke for poor quality assurance. In the current BIKE handlebar test, handlebar-stem combinations had to prove themselves once again - from cross-country to enduro/downhill use, made of aluminium and carbon.
Exciting features
In addition to safety, some manufacturers also focus on suitability for everyday use. Syntace and Pro offer additional benefits for the customer with their stems. For example, the Pro stem can accommodate a Shimano Di2 battery in the steerer tube. Syntace creates a super stable interface for smartphone and/or light mounts with the Twinfix clamps, which weigh just eleven grams more. The clamps are compatible with the Syntace Megaforce 2 and the new Megaforce 3.
You will find these MTB handlebars in the test
The entire article with all test results including points tables, technical data and grades is available as PDF below in the download area:
- Beast Components MTB Flatbar (Cross Country / Trail)
- Aliexpress carbon model for 20 euros (Cross Country / Trail)
- Enve M5 Mountain Handlebar (Cross Country / Trail)
- FSA SL-K MTB CSI Flat (Cross Country / Trail)
- Newmen Advanced SL 318.00 (Cross Country / Trail)
- Newmen Advanced 318.20 (Cross Country / Trail)
- PRO Tharsis XC (Cross Country / Trail)
- Race Face Next SL (Cross Country / Trail)
- SQLab 311 FLX Carbon (Cross Country / Trail)
- Syncros Fraser iC SL (Cross Country / Trail)
- Beast Components MTB Riser 25 (Enduro / Downhill)
- Enve M7 Mountain Handlebar (Enduro / Downhill)
- FSA Gradient Riser (Enduro / Downhill)
- PRO Tharsis Trail (Enduro / Downhill)
- Race Face Turbine-R (Enduro / Downhill)
- SQLab 30X 12° low (Enduro / Downhill)
- Syncros Hixon iC 1.0 Rise (Enduro / Downhill)
- Syntace Vector Carbon Superlight (Enduro / Downhill)
- Syntace Vector 7075 (Enduro / Downhill)
- Truvativ Descendant Carbon DH (Enduro / Downhill)
- Truvativ Kyle Strait CoLab Bar (Enduro / Downhill)
How BIKE tests
In addition to the ISO test, which works with low loads, three test samples were tested in the so-called Advanced Plus Test at the independent testing institute Zedler in Ludwigsburg. The significantly tougher test is based on real-life data and is made up of different test blocks that reflect real-life load situations. The test ran for all handlebar-stem combinations up to the failure of a component or a maximum of 250,000 load cycles. Depending on the category, the following load cycles are relevant for an unqualified recommendation:
- Cross Country: from 100,000 load cycles
- Enduro: from 150,000 load cycles
- Downhill: from 200,000 load cycles
- E-MTB: from 250,000 load cycles
An MTB handlebar fails the ISO test
Compared to the test four years ago, there is a positive trend in terms of durability and safety. Instead of just 24 per cent, this time 45 per cent of the handlebar-stem combinations passed the maximum hurdle of 250,000 load cycles and can therefore withstand many years of downhill or even e-MTB use. Only one handlebar failed the low ISO standard and failed extremely early.
When an MTB handlebar breaks...
Download: Download test as PDF
You can download the complete comparative test including all data, points tables and the score overview as a PDF.
