If you're looking to shave some weight off your trusty steed, one place you may not have thought much about is your handle bar.

Easton has been making a light-weight carbon fiber handlebar for years. The Easton CT2 weighs in at a svelte 125 grams for a 23" bar.

There seems to be an unfounded fear or hesitancy towards carbon bars. Carbon fiber has a bad rep as people fear it will snap. The truth of the matter, however, is that Easton's carbon bar is not only lighter than alloy bars, but is also significantly stronger. This is a virtually bomb-proof piece of equipment. If for some reason, something were to happen and you survived a particularly nasty crash in better shape than your bars, Easton has a very generous free crash replacement policy.

If you're not a gram counter, there's still a benefit worth considering with a carbon bar. The CT2, like other carbon bars has an incredible ride feel. The carbon fiber naturally absorbs high-frequency vibration thus reducing hand fatigue.

The CT2 does have one shortcoming. The bar doesn't include any reinforcements in the ends making bar end installation a scary thing. Easton chose to save weight by skipping the reinforced ends so it is very easy to split the carbon bar when tightening bar ends. Once split, the bar's strength is greatly compromised.

At $69.99, they're not cheap, but with Easton's crash replacement policy they may be the last bars you'll ever need to buy.

Who's it for

Gram counters, carbon junkies or anyone looking for a killer set of performance bars.

Who isn't it for

Downhillers, free riders, or those wanting to use bar ends.