#8 on this list
Face Next R 35 Carbon
Race
The Race Face Next R 35 Carbon is aimed directly at weight-conscious trail and all-mountain riders who want an exceptionally light cockpit without sacrificing the wide leverage and durability required for aggressive descending. Derived from Race Face's gravity-focused SixC lineup, the 'Next R' designation blends cross-country weight savings with all-mountain impact strength. At a verified weight around 215 grams, it stands as one of the absolute lightest full-width 35mm carbon bars on the market. On the bike, that low mass is immediately apparent when lifting the front wheel over obstacles or making rapid directional shifts. Steering precision is instantaneous; the 35mm clamp zone and unilateral carbon layup resist flex under heavy out-of-the-saddle sprinting and hard cornering loads. However, because Race Face engineered this bar to be stiff and featherweight, it delivers a firmer ride than compliance-focused options like the OneUp V2 or PNW Loam. While it cuts out basic surface chatter better than aluminum, heavier braking bumps and sharp rock impacts are communicated directly to the rider. Retailing around $180, it commands top-tier carbon pricing. It is an ideal choice for fit, fast riders who prioritize a snappy, direct steering feel and raw weight reduction on long climbs over maximum downhill damping. Riders prone to arm pump, however, may want to look toward more vertically compliant alternatives. **Highlights** - Exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, weighing an impressively low 215 grams. - 35mm clamp interface provides rapid, direct steering response with minimal flex. - Built with high-strength carbon fiber tested for aggressive all-mountain duty. - Clean matte aesthetic with distinct Race Face graphic treatments. - Available in various rise heights to accommodate different rider preferences. **Watch-outs** - Firmer vertical ride quality communicates more trail feedback than tuned-flex rivals. - Premium price point of roughly $180.
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#9 on this list
Carbon Adjustable Width
Ibis
The Ibis Carbon Adjustable Width handlebar offers an ingenious solution to a universal cockpit dilemma: finding the exact right width without permanently cutting down an expensive carbon bar. Trimming a traditional carbon bar is irreversible, and riders often struggle to know whether 760mm, 780mm, or 800mm fits their shoulder width and local trail clearance best. Ibis solves this by using threaded aluminum inserts that screw securely into the bar ends, allowing users to adjust the width from 750mm up to 800mm in minutes. Beyond its modular party trick, the Ibis bar is a legitimate, high-performance carbon cockpit component. It features a compliant carbon layup engineered to damp trail buzz and reduce rider fatigue over long days in the saddle. On technical terrain, it delivers precise handling without feeling overly rigid. The threaded insert mechanism is completely concealed beneath standard lock-on grips, meaning the bar looks, clamps, and performs exactly like a standard one-piece bar once assembled, without creaks or play. At roughly 254 grams (including inserts), it carries a very slight weight penalty over non-adjustable carbon bars of similar dimensions, but it remains competitively light. Retailing near $170, the price is comparable to standard high-end carbon options, making the added versatility effectively free. The main drawback is mechanical complexity; riders must ensure inserts are torqued properly to avoid loose grip interfaces. **Highlights** - Threaded insert system allows easy width adjustment between 750mm and 800mm. - Eliminates the risk of permanently mis-cutting an expensive carbon fiber bar. - Well-tuned carbon layup delivers effective vibration damping and control. - Clean, creak-free integration under standard lock-on grips. - Competitive weight of around 254 grams despite the modular hardware. **Watch-outs** - Additional threaded hardware introduces extra points of maintenance and setup checks. - Slightly heavier than fixed-width carbon bars in the same category.
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Face Next R 35 Carbon | Carbon Adjustable Width |
|---|---|---|
| Clamp Diameter | 35mm | — |
| Claimed Weight | 215 grams | — |
| Material | Unidirectional carbon fiber | Unidirectional carbon with aluminum inserts |
| Intended Discipline | Trail and all-mountain | — |
| Approximate Price | $180 | $170 |
| Weight | — | 254 grams (claimed) |
| Adjustable Width | — | 750 mm to 800 mm |
| Adjustment Mechanism | — | Threaded internal bar-end inserts |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Face Next R 35 Carbon
- Class-leading weight at roughly 215 grams for a 35mm all-mountain bar
- Exceptional torsional stiffness provides immediate and precise steering
- Rated for aggressive trail and all-mountain duty despite ultralight build
- Effective attenuation of high-frequency surface vibration over aluminum
- Noticeably stiffer vertical ride quality transmits sharp impacts to rider
- Commands a premium price point near $180
- Requires a 35mm clamp stem, limiting compatibility with older cockpits
Carbon Adjustable Width
- Allows reversible width changes from 750mm to 800mm without cutting
- Competitive 254-gram weight despite modular aluminum insert hardware
- Effective vibration damping reduces hand and forearm fatigue
- Reasonably priced compared to conventional fixed-width carbon bars
- Additional threaded interfaces require regular torque checks and cleaning
- Slightly heavier than ultra-minimal, single-piece fixed carbon options
Prices change constantly — the figure shown is the last verified catalog price, and the buy buttons always go to the current listing.