Nukeproof Horizon V2 Carbon Riser Bar 35mm review

Nukeproof’s Horizon V2 Carbon riser bar is a revised version of the original model, and is offered in plenty of rise, width and clamp options.

CRC house brand Nukeproof started out as a budget component company that branched out into bike production and then came full circle by offering quality, no-nonsense aftermarket parts.

The brand has a reputation for solid, reliable kit at a fair price and just like its successful pedals and wheels, this carbon mountain bike bar offers good value for the materials and finish.

Nukeproof Horizon V2 Carbon Riser Bar 35mm specifications

Nukeproof’s carbon bar was updated a couple of years back and, like its cheaper alloy sibling, comes in three height options (12mm, 25mm and 38mm), two widths (780 and 800mm), and two bar clamp diameters (31.8mm and 35mm).

All sizes share a 5-degree up and 9-degree back geometry, but this bar feels flatter than many mountain bike handlebars, with less upsweep unless you roll it forwards in the stem clamp.

Made from uni-directional carbon layers (like most bike frames), the bar has a denser/finer 3K carbon weave on the tips for extra strength and resistance to damage from grips, brake levers and shifters.

The clamping interface zone also uses dimpled particle paint to help grip components.

Nukeproof wanted back sweep at the curvier end of the spectrum for more comfort, but has done something unique with the handlebar shape to counteract how this usually places your hands closer to your body and effectively reduces reach on your frame.

Essentially, the bar is ‘clocked’ slightly forwards so your wrists sit at the same angle, but the bar lies further forward than most rivals; offsetting slightly like this gives more options to tune its position and that of your hands.

The Horizon is one of the cheapest carbon bars (£109.99), yet competitively light and backed up by a lifetime warranty against breaking.

Nukeproof Horizon V2 Carbon Riser Bar 35mm performance

Even though straighter and slightly more forward 8-degree bars are more common, plenty of riders like more sweep, as seen here on the Horizon.

The shape of the bars makes it feels as if their tips angle downwards, or are slightly lower than their centre. This goes against the up- and back-sweep figures, but isn't necessarily a negative.

This means the outside of your palms and little fingers aren’t twisted up and out as much as with many bars. It’s a bit odd considering the claimed 5-degree upsweep is in line with most rival bars.

I ended up rolling the bars further forward in the stem to achieve the desired hand position, but once set, the Horizon offers a good blend of solidity and comfort.

It’s twang-free and stiff enough, but much more soft and supple than the Santa Cruz Riser Carbon Bar, for example.

Damping and trail buzz is difficult to compare, even when swapping back and forth immediately, so you’ll be hard pushed to notice much difference in compliance or control against other top-tier carbon bars.

Nukeproof’s glossy finish looks premium too, considering the price is so competitive, but can get scuffed up and scratched over time much easier than Hope’s bar.

Nukeproof Horizon V2 Carbon Riser Bar 35mm bottom line

This is a great price for a smooth and solid carbon bar with a competitive weight. Nukeproof also covers all bases with two widths, two clamp diameters and three rise options.

Other bars on test had a slightly more neutral feel at the hands though and Nukeproof’s shape also feels a little droopier at the tips than the 5-degree upsweep suggests.]