At 290g the Opium 3 bar’s main selling point is its low weight. The full-width Opium is 780mm wide, and is comparable to bars such as the Renthal Fatbar (345g, 780mm) and Easton’s Havoc (315g, 750mm).
The Opium is available with a 15mm or 30mm rise, with a nine-degree backsweep, and comes in a stunning iron colourway, which has attracted many complimentary comments out on the trails.
You’d be forgiven for thinking such a lightweight bar might not stand up to downhill abuse, but we’ve had no problems despite a pretty hard run-in with a tree and several minor scuffs.
Many riders like the security of a heavier bar, but heavier doesn’t necessarily mean stronger. An element of flex can be felt through the Opium – not so much so that steering or the contact with the front end is affected, but enough to slightly dampen trail buzz.
This article was originally published in Mountain Biking UK magazine, available on Apple Newsstand and Zinio.