The OneUp Components aluminium handlebar is an all-mountain, enduro and downhill offering which has had special attention applied to ride characteristics. An unusual oval shape helps tune vertical compliance whilst retaining a direct feel. The bar does a good job of taking the edges off trail features handling square-edge hit and deflections without detraction from accuracy. With a range of rises and decal colours, OneUp has most basis covered as long as you have a 35 diameter stem.
OneUp Components Aluminium handlebar – Technical Details
OneUp components claim the performance of a carbon bar at an aluminium price. This aluminium bar uses the same oval shape as seen in their carbon bar which allows the flexibility of the bar to be tuned with vertical compliance in mind whilst retaining steering stiffness. The vertical compliance aims to reduce vibrations from the trail and therefore reduces fatigue on long descents. OneUp claim this shape optimises the best characteristics of the 31.8mm and 35mm bar standards to get the best feeling bar.
Made from 7050 – T76, the aluminium bar is available in 35mm diameter bar clamp only with 20mm or 35mm rises. A maximum clamp width of 80mm should make these compatible with direct mount stems which opens up the option for downhill bikes. With an 8 degree back-sweep and 5 degree up-sweep, they’re shaped like what is considered common in today’s handlebars, a comfortable and familiar shape to many. It comes in the usual 800mm width however OneUp state they can be cut down to a minimum of 740mm.
Handy cut markers are included at the end of the bar in 10mm increments to help trim them down to the required width. The centre of the bar also has a handy marker which lines up with the OneUp stem to help ensure the bar is central on the bike.
With a claimed weight of 318g for the 20mm rise these alloy bars are by no means heavy.
The bars come in a black anodise finish with gloss black OneUp logos etched into the bar. Logo decal kits are available separately in 11 different colours to customise the look of the bar to your style.
OneUp Components Aluminium handlebar – Performance
Fitting the bars was a straightforward affair, made easier with the corresponding markings from the OneUp Stem which helped get everything aligned.
Initially I tested the bars at the full 800mm width however decided to cut down to 780mm for a slightly less outstretched position. There was no noticeable change in stiffness between the two widths, both having the same vertical compliance feel.
Fitting the decals is a little fiddly although the option for the stealth look by fitting no decals is a nice feature and it keeps things flexible if you want to change your style or move the bars to a another bike with a different colourway.
Out on the trail the vertical compliance was hard to notice during usual trail riding and I still found the high frequency trail chatter vibrations coming through the bars as you’d expect. I like to run thick grips so this is cushioned somewhat by those but, just like any other aluminium bar, it is noticeable. The extra flex is noticeable on bigger hits, square edges and heavier landings where the sting is certainly reduced. It’s not going to cure arm pump but there is an appreciable flex which is notable. The flex doesn’t reduce accuracy or impede control, just helped takes edge off, so to speak. Steering inputs still felt plenty direct enough, there is enough flex in the fork and wheel so steering vibrations are already well dampened. At 95kg, I do have plenty of gravity on my side to help get the bars to flex so it may be less noticeable with a lighter rider.
OneUp Components Aluminium handlebar – Verdict
Retailing for £87, these are a on the more expensive side for an aluminium handlebar however the performance and quality on offer do go towards justifying the price. Other aluminium handlebar options include the Race Face Turbine handlebar which also has a well-tuned feel. It comes in a little cheaper at £80 and in a range of anodised colours.
Other options available in the market include DMR’s Odub handlebar, which is a signature Olly Wilkins edition. This bar comes in both clamp diameters (31.8 and 35mm) along with a range of widths and rises, and has proven to be a versatile bar for all applications. At £75, they’re worth looking at.
The OneUp Components aluminium handlebar is a well tuned and compliant aluminium bar which helps take the edge off the trail numbing square edge hits and heavy landings. The vertical compliance is welcomed whilst retaining a direct feel. The styles can be customised with decal kits and it comes in a range of rises so should suit most applications as long as you run a 35mm diameter stem.
OneUp Components Aluminium handlebar
Product purpose:
Build extra:
Clamp Diameter: 35mm
Max Stem Clamp Width: 80mm
Width: 800mm
Upsweep: 5°
Backsweep: 8°
Weight: 337g (35mm), 318g (20mm)
Material: 7050 – T76 Aluminium
Finish: Fine shot peen, black anodize, glossy logos compatible with OneUp handlebar decal kits
Decal Kit Colours: Red, Green, Blue, Orange, Purple, Silver, Gold, Turquoise, Matte Bronze, Oil Slick and White
Product construction
Product construction extra:
Good fit and finish
Product performance
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Product durability
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Product weight
Product comfort
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product value
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Product value extra:
Overall performance:
Product likes:
Retains a direct steering feel
Customisable colourways
Product dislikes:
Limited rise options
Not the cheapest
