Renthal FatBar Lite Carbon Zero Rise Handlebar [Rider Review]

Our "Rider Review" article series features the honest reviews from verified purchasers of Worldwide Cyclery. They contain the photos, thoughts, feedback & overall review you are looking for. 

Renthal may be known for their hand in the moto industry, however, they stand proud on top of the podiums of most MTB Races. Their dedication to creating one of the cleanest and trusty mountain bike cockpits has led them to back some of the worlds fastest racers and they have seen more podiums than we could probably count. Our buddy John recently put on some carbon Renthal Fatbar Lites. Let's see what he thought:

John's Review:

When I began to research handlebar upgrades, I had read about the damping ability of carbon bars. I had my eye on these bars for quite some time but was hesitant to actually make the purchase. I was concerned ultimately with the durability of the construction of the bar.

As an avid rider, I had seen several people riding with them at my local trails. I was very skeptical of these claims but loved the idea. Even though I had performed many longer rides and used to the pressures they present, I had experienced arm fatigue and numbness.  I also was looking to change the geometry of my bar up a little and go with a flat bar. My current setup was a 27mm rise which had me sitting upright as if I was on a downhill bike. Renthal has a great name in the industry which provides some sort of peace of mind. I decided to go with the Fatbar Carbon Lite and was not disappointed. Believe the hype! It is well finished and looks great on the bike. A bonus is that they were easy to install.

This handlebar will absolutely dampen the vibrations and chop on the trail. Stiff, incredibly light, and will absolutely provide a quality feel from the cockpit while still being incredibly strong.  This handlebar is one of my favorite upgrades to my trail bike to date.  The majority of my local trails are covered up with roots which quickly become taxing on the body.

I am now able to complete solo rides through rough terrain and allow my son to ride along for more leisure trips while not having to be concerned about vibrations and chop from the trail.

With a zero-rise handlebar, I was able to obtain a much more athletic position on the bike. The geometry change alone makes me a more aggressive and efficient rider while overcoming obstacles that I couldn’t before. I have better control on fast trails regardless of how rough the surface I tackle. The old saying is true that you get what you pay for and that is no different when it comes to this product. There is no doubt that carbon bars are certainly worth the cost when you consider the comfort offered.

Conclusion:

"The bottom line is if you are considering purchasing these bars, go ahead and do it. You will not regret the purchase and the overall impact that it will make on your ride. Who doesn’t want to have the best experience while riding regardless of the trail or terrain from making a small, easy-to-install change such as the bars? My only regret is that I did not buy them sooner." - John