It’s clear from the get-go that Renthal has done its homework for its first venture into the world of carbon with the Fatbar Lite Carbon.
The handlebar’s 740mm width may not be sufficient for everyone’s taste, but we found it bang-on for trail riding, with more than enough leverage and control on tap.
With seven degrees of backsweep and five degrees of upsweep, the shape feels incredibly natural and instinctive, and we felt at home before our tyres had even hit the dirt. Get screaming down the hill, and the balance struck between stiffness and comfort is extremely impressive.
The Fatbar Lite Carbon doesn’t feel harsh or jar your wrists as you bang through rock gardens, but it’s still plenty stiff and responsive enough to make steering precise.
OK, it isn’t cheap, but we think the quality of finish, minimal 182g weight (for the 20mm rise version) and the level of comfort on offer more than makes up for the dent in your wallet.
