The OneUp Components Carbon Handlebar does things a little differently but the result is a sublimely comfortable cockpit that doesn’t compromise steering feel. Complete with very usable angles and helpful markings the Carbon Handlebar is one of the best MTB handlebars on the market but it does come at a high price point.
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OneUp Components Carbon Handlebar - Technical details
The Carbon Handlebar from OneUp Components is designed to blend the direct steering character, stiffness and comfort.OneUp claims that this has been done through its patented oval shape that’s most noticeable in the bar’s rise, where it flattens out. This shape reduces vibration transmission to the hands without compromising stiffness. In fact, OneUp has tested the bar to offer 28% more stiffness in its steering plane. It’s then stated that this shape results in a 21% increase in vertical compliance when compared to traditionally shaped handlebars.
In terms of dimensions, it measures 800mm as standard which can be cut down to 740mm. It uses a 35mm clamp diameter and there’s an eight-degree back steep and a five-degree upsweep. It comes in either 35mm or 20mm of rise (the latter pictured here). The bar isn’t compatible with bar-ends or grips with a single outer clamp.
There are seven colours available: black, red, green, blue, orange, purple, and white.
It’s claimed to weigh 220g with the 20mm rise and that measures accurately on my scale.
OneUp Components Carbon Handlebar - Performance
Setting up the Carbon Handlebar is a simple feat thanks to the absolute array of markings and guides. Around the clamp area, there are degrees to help determine the bar’s roll in the stem and, towards the ends just inboard of the grips are markers to help set brakes and controls symmetrically.
My favourite products are ones that push the design envelope in order to achieve strong results and the OneUp Carbon Handlebar is one that ticks both boxes. This bar also looks incredible. Though the profile does look a bit weird at first glance, I’m a big fan of how the finish shows off the carbon layup. Beautifully exhibited through the bar’s finishing lacquer is the seam of its final wrap of carbon. The carbon is laid by hand, too, which, in practice, doesn’t mean too much but I love that proof of that is clearly on display.
Out on the trail, OneUp’s efforts in combining steering stiffness and vertical compliance haven’t been in vain as my bike’s cockpit has never felt this comfortable. Steering is responsive and direct as expected from a fat-clamp bar. It’s more than easy to keep the front wheel tracking straight but what’s really special is the vertical compliance that the oval shape provides.
This shape clearly adds a level of vertical compliance as it absorbs a noticeable amount of vibration and trail chatter. However, it does so without feeling like a wet noodle. This heft of compliance and vibration damping seriously smooths out the bike’s overall ride, which ups control, too. With this newfound control, I’ve been able to edge further out of my speed comfort zone, simply because my grip and arms aren’t compensating for harsh vibrations.
Elsewhere, the Carbon Handlebar works like any other and the dimensions are spot on. To be honest, the back and upsweeps are pretty common, as well as the width but this is a wise move as it’s taken no kind of adjustment period in order to reap the vibration-reducing rewards of this handlebar.
Even though OneUp has done something radically different with its handlebar, it's hard to fault. Its vibration-damping properties have helped to stave off arm pump and general fatigue even late into any ride, allowing me to ride harder for longer.
Though, users of bar end-stashed tools may find an issue in that the inside diameter of the bar ends aren’t consistent, as a result of the hand-laid carbon.
OneUp Components Carbon Handlebar - Verdict
It might be pricey but the OneUp Components Carbon Handlebar is a justified option. The bar does a very similar job to the Fasst Company Flexx handlebar, which uses elastomers to offer 5mm of travel towards the bar ends. It doesn’t do it to quite the degree of the Flexx bar but it does it at a little more than a quarter of the price. It’s lighter too and rides much more like a normal handlebar from the outset.
It’s cheaper than Renthal’s FatBar carbon too which will set you back £174. This also gets vibration-damping properties but not to the level of OneUp.
A carbon handlebar that I’ve been happy with, and one that offers useful compliance is the Nukeproof Horizon V2 Carbon Riser Bar. I tested it in the 31.8mm clamp and even then, it wasn’t as vertically compliant or as laterally stiff. But it costs £110.
Even though it costs a little more than a number of handlebars, a lot of people will find value in the OneUp Components Carbon Handlebar. Whether you’re looking for a more compliant bar to stave off fatigue or help cope with an injury, it offers performance benefits that are tough to ignore such as improved control. Other than its high price, this handlebar is a sublime piece of kit.