As you most likely figured, I prefer to trip every kind of bicycles – as many as I can get my fingers on. Whereas driving all of those great bikes, I’ve additionally ridden lots of various kinds of handlebars. I’ve a psychological record of favourite handlebars, and the PNW Elements Carbon LOAM Bar simply made it to the highest.
I’ve a reasonably large number of handlebars on that “favorites” record. For instance, an outdated (’97?)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 totally 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 Elements makes use of a “patent-pending, proprietary CBD layup course of” when setting up the bar. They are saying it brings “unparalleled chatter-absorbing consolation” whereas “paired with a really perfect quantity of horizontal stiffness”. I say that the trip high quality of the LOAM Bar is snug and predictable.
The LOAM Bar is alleged to be made through the use of the very 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 easy 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 need to at all times do for any carbon element). PNW additionally conveniently offers a small tube of End Line Fiber Grip carbon meeting paste. They suggest you comply with the paste’s directions throughout meeting.
I added the paste to the stem, wherever it’s touching the carbon LOAM Bar. 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 will have the selection of 10 totally 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 had been utilized, I didn’t completely look after the appears of the decals. I imply, I didn’t set up them very effectively, 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?
To date, the bar does really feel somewhat totally different between the 2 bikes. This could possibly be as a consequence of many components. 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 consequences of the bar somewhat 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 the entire path’s small frequency bumps. On the very first trip with the LOAM Bar, I rapidly seen 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 measurement: 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 received’t break the financial institution. And so they supply wonderful customer support. Supporting PNW is simple to do.
All in all, this bar has far exceeded my expectations. I used to be on the lookout for a bar that will 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 trip 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’d strongly counsel 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 beneath.
