Thursday, November 1, 2007

Easton EC90 Track Bar Review...

Okay, I'm sitting here wondering how I'm going to start this review without saying these bars are the shit or are the raddest or some other moronic euphemism. But honestly, I can't. They ARE the shit and they ARE the raddest FUCKING track bars out there. Well, as far as he techy sort goes. I have a couple of vintage steel ones that I'd NEVER part with. In any case, what makes these bars SO SICK is the fact that not only are they the lightest out there but they're also the strongest AND stiffest. Half the weight of steel coming in at 320 grams. 15% stronger than steel and 50% stiffer. I was a little skeptical at first when I saw them on the website but once I got my filthy mitts on a pair my fears were IMMEDIATELY aleviated. What I hadn't realized until I got them is that they're Carbon wrapped Aluminum. Which explains what makes them so light and stiff. Awesome fucking combo. The best part of which is that it makes them really thick up top for big hands (such as mine). Imagine the stem mount area on a set of 31.8 oversized bars that just keeps going. The drops are a thinner diameter but once wrapped matches the rest. The one pain in the ass part is that the drop ends are rounded instead of open which makes buttoning up the wrap annoying. Whatever.. Once you get these fuckers wrapped and mounted the ride is KILLER. They have a really great feel to them. The grip is great too despite not being wrapped on top. Totally comfortable as is. Which is funny cause I really don't like riding bare steel. But with these, no sweat. I love getting in the drops when sprinting and wrenching the bike back and forth. Fucking sweet! Now the one and only bad thing is of course, as usual, the goddamn price. These retail at a SUICIDAL $350-$400 bones! FUCK THAT!! But wait! They do show up on ebay from time to time for MUCH less. I bought my first set (pictured) on there for $250-ish new a couple of years ago. Then I bought another new one which also included a new EC70 stem for $225. Sold the stem for $80 and I was STOKED. I actually saw someone selling one new for $200 but no one went for it. Anyways, I've ridden a lot of different bars from steel to aluminum to carbon but these ones are definitely in a class of their own. Get a set and have NO regrets...
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4 comments:

Dubbayoo said...

I got a pair off Ebay for my Fuji Track Pro - $242. I haven't ridden them yet since I still lack a bottom bracket but soon...very soon. I didn't realized they were alloy inside either.

Anonymous said...

hey you don't put bar tape on them you use grips it look much better. already learnt my lesson. best bars ever to ride.

Alan Sikirić said...

None of the bars I've bought have ever come with them :( Otherwise I'm sure I'd be all about em too!

StephenLane said...

Yeah bro these bars are on my track bike and I totally adore them... I will also get a new set tonight for my new sprint bike... they are seriously amazing. Nice review.