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PRO Tharsis handlebar review

Impressively, aggressively stiff bar

Our rating

3.5

100.00
55.00
259.00

Russell Burton

Published: January 10, 2015 at 12:00 pm

Our review
An excellent set of bars – but not for the faint hearted

Shimano-owned PRO works with a lot of top riders to produce ‘signature’ products – but its own bars are distinctive performers too. You can tell the Tharsis is seriously stiff straight away.

There’s zero deflection whichever direction you’re pushing it in and dramatically clear ground feel through your grips. It has slightly less up- and backsweep than most bars too, which increases the aggressive feel.

The tharsis's uncompromising feel means sturdy arms and/or forgiving grips are crucial: Russell Burton

The Tharsis's uncompromising feel means sturdy arms and/or forgiving grips are crucial

It’s light too, and while 740mm might not be enough width for power steering fans, it’s more than enough for most XC riders and there are cut marks right down to a Euro friendly 660mm.

Cut marks go down to 660mm: cut marks go down to 660mm Russell Burton

Cut marks go down to 660mm

The aggressive feel can take its toll on your wrists, palms and arms pretty quickly on hard, rocky or icy trails though, so it's essential to fit the right grips – or just toughen up.

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