Originally Posted by
Kapusta
I’ve noticed a difference in vibration damping on flat bars going to CF. Not massive but it is there. Likely makes no practical difference on a town bike, but on a MTB ridden in rough terrain it does.
The.differwnce is more noticeable with drop bars.
Whether it is “worth” the extra cost for that and the weight savings is entirely subjective
I don't screw around with cheap CF bars. I stuck with reputable brands,
Just to balance one piece of totally subjective data with another, I have never noticed any difference whatsoever between lightweight quality aluminum bars and lightweight quality carbon fiber bars.
Now, bar tape and underlying gel cushioning - yes there is a difference for me. But the bars, no.
I haven't been afflicted by weight-weenieism for a few years but IIRC, you can get inexpensive aluminum road bars weighting, say, 300 grams, and good CF bars aren't much lighter than 200 grams? I could be wrong, but saving maybe 3 ounces on a 29 pound bike? Anyone can spend their money anyway they want. Me? I'd save my money and in the future get a lightweight bike where lightweight parts are appropriate. Plus, for much cheaper, maybe for $0 if they need to be replaced anyway, you can save quite a bit of weight with higher quality tires and lightweight tubes and improve the ride much more than any handlebar switch will do (which, imho is none for the bars).