The Form Carbon 35 is Title’s carbon fibre bar that’s designed to combine vertical compliance with enhanced stiffness throughout the steering plane, claiming that vertically, it’s the softest bar on the market. Proportionately, the bar hits top marks while providing a noticeable level of vibration reduction without sacrificing stiffness where needed. However, against much cheaper competition, shelling out for this bar is a tough ask, but it is rather light for its rating.
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Title Form Carbon 35 handlebar - Technical details
Title’s Form Carbon 35 handlebar is built as a heavy-hitting bar fit for enduro, downhill, and freeride, and with that, it passes the EFBE’s TRI TEST Category 5. To do so, it gets a special unidirectional carbon layup that’s been designed to promote compliance along the vertical plane while remaining stiff along the steering plane. That’s all to blend vibration damping, but without feeling like a wet noodle.
As for the bar’s geometry, it features an 800mm width as standard with a 35mm clamp diameter - there is no 31.8mm alternative. It then features a nine-degree back sweep, a five-degree up sweep, and there are 25 and 35mm rise options. The clamping area measures 87mm in width, so it should accommodate most downhill-type stems. That said, Title stresses that the Form Carbon isn’t compatible with Renthal’s Apex stem, which is a shame as it’s a real favourite, but there are plenty of other stems on the market.
Aesthetically, the bar and its carbon layup are left to speak for themselves. Its shape is mega interesting and certainly unique, but that’s partly where it gets its vibration-damping properties. Otherwise, there’s a single Title logo, small white marks to aid stem alignment, and at either end, there are cut guides.
Title claims that the bar with a 25mm rise weighs 193 grams, which for a DH-certified handlebar, is very light. That’s compared to Renthal’s Fatbar Carbon 35 with a 20mm rise at 225g and Burgtec’s Ride Wide Carbon DH bar at 280g.
Title Form Carbon 35 handlebar - Performance
The Form Carbon 35 is wrapped with rather bold claims, being the most compliant but lightest DH-rated bar on the market. Importantly, the bar is backed up with certifications, having been tested and certified by EFBE, and it has passed the TRI-TEST.
In terms of geometry and proportions, there’s incredibly little to complain about. The bar’s comfortable, but none of its measurements are particularly wild, so it's easy to get on with and very familiar feeling. Shape-wise, it’s comfortable.
The theme of comfort runs through its fancy carbon layup, and while the bar's form is strange compared to any other handlebar, it serves a very real purpose. Vertical vibration damping is plentiful, and the carbon adds a subtle but real level of compliance without completely compromising support.
Where the bar’s compliance takes effect is over fast-repeating hits, such as those through low-level rock gardens and roots. In such sections, the bar effectively absorbs trail chatter and a good chunk of the sting that’s transferred through to the hands. The result is a smoother front end and a real boost in control when compared to simpler bars on the market. Of course, this then staves off arm pump through lengthy descents.
Then, steering is just as direct as you could expect from a handlebar with a 35mm clamp diameter. It’s confident, sharp, and precise. To be honest, I never found this bar to be lacking in any aspect, and despite coming laden with compliance claims, the Form Carbon is nothing out of the ordinary at face value, or during the usual car park bounce test. It’s only when pushing a trail at Mach 10 that the benefits of compliance make themselves known.
Setup is super easy too. Although there’s not much going on graphics-wise, which is a trait I’m certainly a fan of, any markers are subtle but useful enough to help get everything centred and in line with ease. Title has then done a great job of hiding any marked geometry details in places that sit underneath the grips, so the information’s there, but it’s not in your face.
Title Form Carbon 35 handlebar - Verdict
The big hang-up on this bar, however, is its price. £240 is a lot of money to spend on a handlebar, and there are a number on the market that have similar compliance credentials, such as OneUp Components Carbon Handlebar. Like the Form, it’s DH certified and built to provide vertical compliance but without getting mega wobbly when steering. It’s weightier at 227g in a 20mm rise, but it costs far less, at £150.
PNW Components Loam Carbon handlebar is designed to do the very same thing in the compliance market, while coming with a more normal shape. Its back sweep is slightly more extreme, at 10 degrees. It’s heavier at 233g, but it is rated for DH and e-MTB use. That bar will cost £150.
The Title Form Carbon 35 handlebar is for those who want something a little different from the norm and hold weight savings in high regard. Compared to other carbon bars on the market designed to work in similar ways, noticeable performance benefits are negligible against products nearly £100 cheaper. But by choosing this bar over its competitors, you do save 33 grams and get yourself a DH-certified product.