OneUp Components has added a new carbon bar developed specifically for use on eMTBs; the eBar. Like their original oval carbon bar, the new eBar has a demonstrable amount of vertical flex engineered into its design via the ovalized profile in the transition zone between the clamp region and the bar end. That flex is said to deliver a degree of vertical compliance and vibration damping, without detrimentally affecting the bar’s steering stiffness. What’s more, this one features cable ports for tidy internal cable routing of Shimano STEPS switch units.
OneUp Carbon eBar
The new OneUp Carbon eBar has a 35mm diameter clamp area. Whereas the regular Oval Carbon Bar from OneUp is available in 20mm and 35mm rise options, this one is available in 35mm rise only, with an 8° back-sweep and 5° up-sweep. It ships 800mm wide (weighing a claimed 238g), but can be trimmed to a minimum of 750mm wide. Markers on the ends of the bar will help make trimming quick and simple.
The eBar passes the stringent Zedler E-MTB Advanced Plus standard and the international DH standard (ASTM Cat. 5 Downhill). The brand say it is the most compliant DH-rated handlebar on the market, coming up 20% more compliant than carbon bars of their unnamed competitors. That’s thanks to the ovalized portion between the clamp area and the bar ends, a design that OneUp holds the patent for.
We’ve seen that on the regular oval carbon bar from OneUp, but the brand have taken it further with eBar, introducing even more compliance by narrowing the bar to just 20mm at that transition zone. The bar returns to the standard 22.2mm diameter at the clamping zone for the grips and other controls. That increased compliance and the reduction in fatigue that follows should suit the demands of eMTB riding well, especially when you consider that eBike riders are doing a lot more descending than they would do on a regular mountain bike.
Elsewhere, the eBar gets 6.5mm ports to accommodate internal cable routing for Shimano STEPS switch units (or any switch unit that has a connector diameter less than 6.5mm). OneUp state the eBar cannot accommodate internal cable routing for the switch units of Specialized, Bosch or Rocky Mountain eMTBs. Also important to note is that grips with a single outer clamp are not compatible with this bar, neither are Control Bar ends (Bull Horns). For more detailed information on compatibility, head to the OneUp Components website.
Pricing & Availability
The OneUp Oval Carbon eBar is available now, retailing at $149.50 USD / $189.50 CAD / €159.50 / £129.50.
