Everything is a game-changer these days. But, if everything is a game-changer, then is it really true that nothing is? I say no way because there are some products that truly make a world of difference and wider bars with the proper upsweep/backsweep will dramatically transform your current ride. That said, the new RaceFace Turbine R bars can make that huge difference for a modest investment.
RaceFace Turbine R Alloy Bars Features:
- Features 7075 Aluminium construction
- 35mm optimized triple butted design
- 800mm width
- Available in 10, 20 or 35mm rise
- Black/black decals offer muted styling
- 8 deg backward and 5 deg upward sweep
- Weight: 300 grams (stated, 20mm)
- $80
Change your bars, blow your mind
No, the Niner SIR 9 isn’t a 6-inch enduro bike. And, no, I don’t send it on A-Line, but I love fast, sweeping singletrack and latch onto anything that helps give me more control on any trail. Well, seek and ye shall find with the new RaceFace Turbine R 35 riser bars. Available in 10, 20 or 35mm rise, you can select the proper position for any bike or riding style — enduro or not-so-enduro.
Over the years, every new set of bars has gone wider and wider. The young lads won’t remember the days when 600mm bars were commonplace. All it takes is a few pedal strokes and a sweeping turn to realize just how foolish we were. Yes, 800mm is quite wide, but boy does it feel good.
The key ingredient to handlebar feel is a calculated mix of upsweep and backsweep that puts you in the proper attack position. In my miles of testing, RaceFace has matched my taste for cockpit feel with the Turbine R 35.
For the most part, I’ve become accustomed to the idea that carbon bars are the way to go for that “just right” cockpit feel. And, that’s a safe bet but not all the time. On occasion, I’ve found a set of alloy bars that have defied that convention and now I’ll add the Turbine R 35’s to that short list. The instant control and bike feel that came with these was grin-inducing.
With 27.5+ bikes, you do have to angulate the bike to get the most out of it. The wider the bars, the easier it is to angulate the bike through the turns. That has been a fantastic benefit of these 800mm wide bars as I could more easily charge the local singletrack with increased confidence and control.
I’ve found that standing climbs are also more comfortable as I can finesse the bike at low speeds. The extra width also opens up the chest for improved breathing.
As mentioned, the upsweep and backsweep seem to suit me just fine and I’ve been quite impressed by how refined these bars feel. No, they aren’t carbon, but I don’t know what kind of voodoo RaceFace has enacted here, but I’ve felt like they have adeptly quieted trail chatter more than your typical alloy bars can do. Certainly, some of that is due to the RaceFace Grippler grips I’ve been using, but these are a great shape nonetheless.
The Good
- Upsweep and backsweep that’s easy to love
- Available in a variety of rise options to suit a variety of tastes
- Extra width offers increased control
- Highly-affordable
- Respectable weight
The Bad
- You’ll likely need a new 35mm stem (matching Turbine R stem is an obvious choice)
The Bottom Line: RaceFace Turbine R 35
Considering a wider set of bars on a budget? For $80, you can easily transform your ride into something more (fun, comfortable, commanding, etc.). The extra width delivers great control and can whip long-travel bikes or 27.5+ bikes into shape.
Buy Now: Available at JensonUSA.com
