Answer ProTaper OS vs. Standard?

[coma13]

Is there any noticable difference in stiffness? I would like to hear from people who have actually ridden both if possible. Also, anyone have the weight difference between the two bars in either rise?

Thanks!

[SPrider]

all i know is DON'T run the standard pro tapers, i snapped some like 2 inches from the stem and it would have been so sh*tty if that happened on a big jump or going fast downhill, i would of ate so much sh*t

[bikenweed]

Why are stiffer bars better? I would think that some flex would work to dampen vibrations.

I ran the standard, first model ProTapers from 1998 for 7 years, and they only bent a little bit. Great bars, good bend, great width, light, and strong. Couldn't be happier, except they don't come in the same low/wide size as they used to.

[FarkinRyan]

all i know is DON'T run the standard pro tapers, i snapped some like 2 inches from the stem and it would have been so sh*tty if that happened on a big jump or going fast downhill, i would of ate so much sh*t

Wow! Your one piece of anectdotal evidence certainly trumps the thousands of people who've run and raced them for years at the highest levels without a problem. I'll be taking mine off and setting fire to them immediately :rolleyes:

[Backpack1]

ProTapers have my complete trust -used them for many years...trust them more than my new OS Deity bar.

[JRogers]

Why are stiffer bars better? I would think that some flex would work to dampen vibrations.

I ran the standard, first model ProTapers from 1998 for 7 years, and they only bent a little bit. Great bars, good bend, great width, light, and strong. Couldn't be happier, except they don't come in the same low/wide size as they used to.

Two good points. Protapers are a good bar and lots of people use them without a problem.

I have used several 25.4 and 31.8 bars and I am pretty sure I can feel a difference in stiffness. It does take away some of the vibration damping, however. I also remember seeing an interview with a guy from Easton who was opposed to 31.8 because it required a heavier bar to reach the same strength. 31.8 will add weight over a standard bar.

I personally run 31.8, but only because the direct mount on my DH ride and the OE stem on my XC bike were that size and the very wide, very low bars I like to run are easier to get in 31.8 (I run a Truvativ Holzfeller and a Funn Fatboy).

If you have 25.4, I say don't bother getting anything new unless you already have the stem in 31.8. I just don't necessarily think there's much of a real performance benefit.

[profro]

I have run both the 25.4 and 31.8 ProTapers and I can tell a huge difference in stiffness while sprinting on my hardtail in BMX and 4x. I can't tell any difference on my DH bike.

[Bicyclist]

I prefer 31.8 for the stiffer feel while sprinting. And more stems are available 31.8 nowadays that are good.

[SPrider]

all i am sayin is they broke on me, do whatever u want, they do have good rise and feel to them, i just expected them not to snap

[stgil888]

I prefer O/S bars. I haven't ridden the same bars by one brand in both sizes, but all the bars I've ridden in 31.8 have felt much stiffer than the 25.4 bars I have. I ran Race Face Diabolous 31.8s in 2004 and 25.4 Protapers in '05, and the difference in stiffness was definitely noticable. As well, 25.4mm Protapers are only available in narrower sizes. I prefer the added width of the Race Face's. I don't notice the stiffness issue too much while riding DH, but when I'm cranking on the pedals on my bike bike, I can feel the bars bending around as I pull on them. I prefered the stiffer feel of the fatter bars.

[jungle]

Standard protapers 685mm wide = 250 grams
OS protapers 690mm wide = 270 grams

i've run the standard protapers for the last 2 years
without any problems, but now looking at getting some OS protapers
so i can use a thomson x4 stem which only takes OS 31.8 bars
otherwise i would stay with the standard protapers