Race Face

Aeffect 35 20mm Rise Handlebar

We don't see any reason why the trail and XC crowd shouldn't benefit from the added peace of mind afforded by oversized handlebars. Race Face agrees, and the Aeffect 35 20mm Rise Handlebar gives those of us on the hardtail, four-, or five-inch side of things a beefy bar option. It's obviously not for XC racing, but if you're more interested in gear durability than in counting grams, then 35 may just be your lucky number.

The Aeffect 35's titular 35mm clamp section all-but eliminates the risk of bar failure due to over-clamping or over-torqueing. Triple-butting further reinforces high-stress areas while thinning the tube walls wherever possible to keep the claimed weight at a reasonable 335g. It's not the lightest bar, but it's also built to withstand a hell of a lot more abuse than featherweight carbon bars. The Aeffect's longevity is boosted by a round of shot-peening, which further increases the cold-drawn, 2014 aluminum's already stout fatigue resistance.