Answer ProTaper 780 DH Handlebar

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I run the aluminum bars on my demo uncut with a 1" riser and absolutely love them. I use the larger rise on the demo because I have a direct mount so with the rise it makes the perfect height for my liking. I am no expert in the air so I fortunately can say they have been abused and have no problems bending so far after a couple seasons, me well thats another story im surprised I haven't made the fails but its practice.

I also have the carbon bars on my "enduro" machine with a low rise. I can say they are just as strong and true as ever. Best bars I have ridden and have used a majority from bontragers(stock), ODI's, carbon havocs, and a couple others I can not recall. I was a little concerned with a low rise but I have found my my perfect set ups on my bikes.

STATS. So, Answer have been around for a while, they make a bunch of Moto stuff, and their bike stuff isn't half bad either. The 780mm Protaper DH is, as the name suggests, their downhill/FR (does FR even exist anymore?) bar. It weighs in around 335gm, so its not super light, but it's not as heavy as some offerings either, and it's price is definitely competitive. The Protaper DH utilises a slightly flatter and straighter design (8 degree backsweep, 4 degree upsweep) compared to most bars (9 degree x 5 degree) and at 780mm wide are on the restrained side of the width war (some brands have made it out to 830mm). I'm not an expert on body geometry, but this design felt good to me, keeping my hands down low and in a comfortable position.

PERFORMANCE. On the trail these bars were faultless. My hands were comfortable on 15minute DH runs, and they kept me in control in hairy situations many a time. They weren't so stiff as to transmit every last jolt into my palms, but that being said, I never noticed any flex during riding (for reference, I'm 80kg/186cm). They just sat there, looked good, and got on with the job.

Durability was also good, surviving two bikes, countless DH/AM/Slalom runs, and a few hectic crashes. The paintwork held up quite well (much better than the Atlas, and a bit better than the Gravity 800) and stayed looking fresh for ages.

OPINION.I'll be blunt about it, I love these bars. I've had a few big bars (Gravity 800, Funn Full On 750, Race Face Atlas) but these were definitely my favourite so far. I'd recommend them for anyone looking for a solid bar on a big big, and would also consider putting one on a burly 6in bike.

Super happy with these strong, stiff, wide, light bars. Would highly recommend.