Aimed at hardcore riders and downhill racers, and measuring in at 780mm wide, Answer’s ProTaper Carbon handlebar is light, weighing in at just 265g thanks to the company’s ProTaper technology.
Answer have given it their usual top notch attention to detail, with accurate cut marks, a roughly textured area to ensure secure clamping, and some of the most detailed centre and angle markings at the centre.
The ProTaper is pleasingly comfortable to ride with while still being stiff and responsive too – giving just enough flex to remove any feeling of harsh deflection, while still giving enough feedback to ensure you know what’s going on down below you as well.
The 8-degree backsweep and 4-degree upsweep give a comfortable feel too, although we did have to roll the bar quite far forward to find our favoured position. It’s also available with a 1in rise as well as the 1/2in option we tested.
This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.