First Look: Renthal Fatbar Light and Lock-on Grips

Jan 18, 2013 at 7:50
by Matt Wragg  
New products

Fatbar Light

The Fatbar Light is Renthal's new trail-width handlebar. It's lighter than it's bigger brother, the Fatbar, but it is just as strong. This is possible because the bar width has been reduced from 780mm to 740mm. The smaller width means less leverage going through the rise, so they have been able to reduce the material there as it's no longer needed. We took a look at Renthal's testing last year and it's clear they're not the kind of company to make this kind of claim unless they were completely sure of it. While they have reduced the width, they have not altered the shape of the bar, so they will be instantly familiar to anyone who has used a Renthal bar before. Once again, there are no colour options available, just this lovely gold finish. They are available from a nearly flat 10mm rise to a BMX-feeling 40mm.

Range of bars.
Bar details

Fatbar Lights details:

- Available in 10, 20, 30 and 40mm rises
- High strength 7 series aluminium alloy
- Optimised lightweight tapered tube
- Shot peened for increased fatigue life
- Corrosion and abrasion resistant hard anodised finish
- 31.8mm clamping diameter
- Weight: 269-271g

- MSRP: $84.95 USD

30 38mm
10 20mm

Lock-on Grips

These are arguably the most-awaited grips of the last few years. It's no secret that Renthal have been working on these for several years, but weren't prepared to release them until they felt they were perfect. This obsessive pursuit of the right product lead them to move away from the system ODI and similar grips use where the collars are separate from the grip. With these the grip is bonded onto the collar. Renthal say this means no more loose grips, it also means that when your grips are done you can't just replace the rubber. It's not a huge cost and, in honesty, in our experience most people tend to replace the whole grip anyway. Like their previous grips, these are available in a huge range of compounds, including their magic kevlar flavour, which manage to be both soft and last forever. When they passed the super-soft compound to their World Cup riders, they found them too soft and there was too much movement in the grip for that kind of ultra-aggressive riding. Fortunately Renthal test their products at a range of levels and for their local testers doing more relaxed loops they were a real favourite as they were so comfortable. This approach for testing their products is something they are rightly very proud of, if it had solely been down to the racers the super-soft grips would have never seen the light of day.

Range of grips
Grip details.
Grips

Lock-on grip details:

- Available in medium, soft, super comfort and kevlar compounds
- CNC aluminium locking collars
- Integrated central core for all-weather security on the handlebar

- Soft, Medium and Super Comfort - MSRP $29.99
- Kevlar - MSRP $32.99


www.renthal.com

Author Info:
mattwragg avatar

Member since Oct 29, 2006
753 articles

149 Comments
  • 167 5
 There is a pile of cash on my computer, My credit card in the CD drive, a hand written check in the floppy drive... But nothing is happening, Take my money!!!!
  • 93 1
 You still have a floppy drive?
  • 229 11
 Dafuq is a floppy drive? Is that like a really loose chain, or?
  • 14 5
 I personally do not, one of the computers in my office, yes.
  • 30 2
 Oh that made me lol, great way to start the morning, thank you Salute
  • 7 3
 Déjà vu.....
  • 5 1
 NitGrits got a PC
  • 1 0
 PMSL at main comment! I do like the look of these bars. Might get one in 1mm rise for me AM rig. Big Grin
  • 13 54
flag GabrielDugas (Jan 25, 2013 at 8:25) (Below Threshold)
 basically, they reduce weight by making them shorter... wich is not really a weigth reduction since the product is not the same... not impressed honestly.
  • 15 1
 I'm not sure you understand. The bar is lighter, and can be BECAUSE its narrower
  • 9 0
 Haha literacy is unfortunately not too common these days, is it?
  • 3 0
 Because they are narrower they have been able to reduce some of the reinforcement needed in the original bar, that's what I understood
  • 4 0
 I got the 780 fatbars in10mm rise on my meta am, there feel awesome, I had some Easton havens and the fats are twice as good. !!!
  • 2 0
 The havens are 711mm compared to 780mm so comparing the 2 is tricky I would say. I run 740mm's on my meta AM so these could be a worthy upgrade Smile
  • 1 4
 i really do understand trust me, the leverage ratio is shorter thus they can reduce material thickness. the thing i didn't get is at first read, i tough they said "our new wide bar is ligther and 740mm large" and tough they were no longer offering a 780mm
  • 2 0
 I didn't say I was comparing them I simply said the feel much better!
  • 1 0
 Guys, I think it boils down to an individuals build. For me 740mm was too wide, but 730mm is perfect feel. I'm currently running SuperStar Component chrome bars on me Tracer 2 and feel Brill.I.Ant! As i'm only a 5'6" short arse. So for someone nearing 6' a wider bar will no doubt suite them? Smile
  • 2 0
 STOP THE PRESS! Bars can be lighter if they are narrower! Sam Hill used 600mm bars in a DH race! 75% of the trend toss riders shorten their bars for minor weight savings!!!
  • 1 0
 I find that pretty hard to belive, because I use 680mm on my xc bike and that feels tiny, and the weight reduction is minimal I mean, I would understand someone doing this in XC but I honestly think you got something wrong there...
  • 51 1
 Go ride with your white grips and return home with free mud-brown grips !
  • 5 113
flag tworldsmine (Jan 25, 2013 at 1:06) (Below Threshold)
 Use your riding skills to avoid mud?
  • 194 3
 Riding on the road is not a skill
  • 6 0
 Actually, I rode my Kevlar grips in pretty muddy conditions (when the snow was melting) crashed once of twice in the mud, and they came out still yellowish, no traces of mud once you've sprayed some water on it.
  • 12 2
 Not falling is a skill Wink
  • 7 0
 Jose, you've summed up how to mountain bike in 5 words.. PB editors! We need a riding how-to article on not falling!
  • 3 1
 @six66 that's soo damn right
  • 17 0
 I'd rather see an article on how to fall properly!
  • 4 0
 White stuff gets dirty, live with it, just because it looked epic... once Smile
  • 1 0
 alcohol usually cleans them up but why bother, just go black
  • 1 0
 Yes, falling, I do it all the time, could use pointers to avoid it or do it better.
  • 3 0
 While not falling is a skill, knowing how to fall is even better--enables a rider to push limits. If you never crash, do you really know how not to crash or are you just being a bitch when you ride. Had a nasty end over end crash recently and was complimented for my "grace". I got skill?
  • 3 1
 To be honest, I'd rather wait a couple extra months and then hit something when I'm 120% confident I'll stick it than sending it before I'm fully ready and getting myself a broken bone or a concussion. I don't get paid to do this, so to risk a sort of lenghty layoff of riding just by taking an extra risk doesn't seem worth it for me.
  • 1 0
 I wish I was good at falling, I'd be more willing to hit things, and wouldnt have to be out for 30% of the year with shattered bones. Frown
  • 1 0
 it's a semi- deathwish in the northeast Frown with the cars, trucks, potholes, glass, nails, wood, texters and just general eeediot drivers....road riding takes much skill...not to get killed
  • 25 2
 For those of you using the ODI or ODI style grips, all you need to do is just slightly twist and rotate one of the lock on collars on each grip; this will remove any play from the assembly. In doing so, you'll have more options when buying new grips and collars. In addition, you'll save on excess waste. Disclamer: I own Renthal components and they are great however, I find the grip play thingamabober issue a bit moot. Gonna have to get up earlier to pass that one by me.
  • 1 0
 Yup. Apparently the guys at Renthal can't set up lock on grips properly Big Grin . In all seriousness though the kevlar rubber seems like an awesome idea that would be perfect for dj/street riding when mixed up with a mushroom pattern. Comfy, grippy and long-lasting.
  • 2 0
 My god, I can't believe I never thought of that. The play on my ODIs has been driving me nuts! thanks len...
  • 4 0
 You're welcome! I'm just passing on to others, what was shared with me. Anyway, that's what we're here for.
  • 18 1
 "Renthal have been working on these for several years" - geez, so much of wild technology to tame! :/
  • 3 0
 My exact same thoughts, it's just grips...
  • 4 0
 to be honest, the best grips i've had was when i tore one at the start of a day, and used some old innertube...
  • 1 0
 Wow that's a good alternative, I'm sticking to my stock grips, they look like hell but they work (when they're dry)
  • 16 0
 I wish somebody would make a Bar Width vs Shoulder Width optimum width calculator. Needs a snappier title.
  • 4 0
 I think we need some more metrics to fully optimise the results:
* Arm length
* Bicycle size / reach
* Stem length

... definitely doesn't help with making the title snappier Razz
  • 3 0
 Riding style/discipline ...
  • 4 0
 Nah, we'd never be able to capture the feel in a chart. There are too many variables, especially when you include the bikes themselves and their geometry. It's all about feel, or for some riders, style.
  • 1 0
 That was exactly my point... too many variables. I just kept going a little wider over the years untill I felt they were too wide, put me too low over the front of the bike, my ideal width for a DH or freeride bike is 29". My trail bike runs slightly narrower, and I do that for clearance because of how tight some of the trils I ride are.
  • 3 0
 Yeah the width thing became almost ridiculous the last few years. I'm running 30" now, down from 31" a couple years ago. And I've figured out that the bend angles and rise are just as important to getting that feel. I like 7-8* sweep, no more, and I like steeper upsweep. Helps get my elbows out.

At any rate, like I said, it's just all about finding the width/bend/rise combination that gives you the best feeling.
  • 7 0
 Bargonomics!!!!!
  • 3 0
 There's a formula for it:

nL=cL+1"

where nL is the new bar length and cL is the current bar length
  • 12 0
 I love Renthal and I have owned several pairs of "fatbars".. Best sweep/bend/esthetics in the business. But... Could you please do a limited addition run of just flat black? I get the originality and marketing factor of the Renthal "gold/brown". It stands out, but.... Please just a limited few in black. I will personally buy 4.
  • 10 0
 Eric, get a can of black matte spray paint, give it a couple of coats & in one afternoon, you have your black Renthal bar. This is what I do.
  • 3 1
 that is what I did too, dump
  • 4 0
 I totally agree, but it would be nice to have the clean look and duribility of the anodized or powder coated bars. Better esthetics than rattle can, and it doesn't hurt to rep that Renthal logo..
  • 3 0
 ESI silicon grips for life! I pump a little black silicon under the ends to stop them moving around at all. I also use it to repair any crash damage. I don't use gloves and these grips are so comfortable. When I put my ruffians on my hands and wrists feel like they are going to be blown apart by the time I get to the bottom of a rough decent. With the silicon grips I can use a nice loose hand grip on the bars and as a result never get arm pump anymore. I don't want to have arthritis in my hands and wrists when I'm old too
  • 2 0
 Long awaited grips? - I dont know about anyone else but the shop I work in has been selling these for quite a while and I even have some of the super comfort white ones.
However, I highly rate the super comfort ones, theres pretty much no movement, no more than i felt in any of my ODI grips anyway
  • 2 5
 the grips are good but you get a cheap plastic bar end plugs!!!!!
  • 4 0
 cant say theres much wrong with the plastic barends myself, take it you've had some problems?
  • 3 0
 I like plastic on my barends, I always run the plastic caps on my ODI's, they slide when I occasionally tag a tree or rock with the bar.
  • 1 0
 i like bar end and i do hit rocks tree and the ground but plastic brakes too easy that's all there cheap bar-ends!!;(
  • 2 0
 If it's good high impact plastic like the ODI caps then it wont break. For example, the cheap plastic bar plugs you get with the slide on Renthals blow apart pretty quickly. I assume these are more durable.
  • 1 1
 Fair enough, I only use cheaper versions on the Odi Ruffian grips

(www.clarkscycles.com/index.php/html/product/pagetype/aftermarket/id/clo201-ano-blk-blue-lock-on-grip)

pretty much the same grip without the price tag, £9.99 Bargain - but they come with the very cheap push in ones (dont spread which you can see in the link) but up to now they've lasted pretty well! im surprised!!
  • 2 0
 I love Ruffians. I can't stay away from them. Every time I try to explore other options I quickly go back to fitting my ODI's !
  • 1 0
 Same here, I always end up buying Ruffians. They just work well for me.
  • 2 0
 loving these bars on me trail bike. The original fatbar was actually too wide, and since it is actually a spare bar for my DH rig, i didn't cut it down. The fatbar lite though comes it just about the right width uncut.

The claims for just as stiff? well, I tend to disagree. There is abit of flex in them bars. Nothing to worry about, but still perceptible amounts of it. That, or my stem (Renthal Duo) is flexing instead Wink
  • 6 0
 YES! Lock-ons finally!
  • 5 0
 Nice lens. Wish we can see the product.
  • 4 0
 So when your grips have rental written on it they become magically 10 bucks more expensive...
  • 1 0
 Excellent, I cut my low rise Renthals down to 740mm thinking I'd never get rid of them, and now I want a higher rise I was worried nobody would want to buy a shortened bar. 1st genereation all mountain Renthal low rise anyone?
  • 1 0
 Having had the fat bar on my 4x bike for a while now I decided to go for the light version. The bar material is noticeably thinner than the normal fatbar but Renthal are the only company I would trust with doing this. There is no way I would chose carbon bar over this bar. Also I have just got some Kevlar grips to and they are brilliant. However I won't be swapping my Thomson 50mm Stem for a Duo any day soon, I have heard them creaking!!
  • 4 0
 Time to get Fat, but Lite! Big Grin
  • 1 0
 The kevlar grips are super durable, I have been using them on my KTM 200 enduro for a few years and they can take a beating, have a nice small diameter and offer really good grip!
  • 10 10
 "It's lighter than it's bigger brother, the Fatbar, but it is just as strong. This is possible because the bar width has been reduced from 780mm to 740mm."
So its not technically lighter, there's just less handlebar there?
  • 6 0
 It will be specifically made for that width therefore they can make it lighter, rather than being specifically designed for a wider width with the option of cutting it down I hope this helps?
  • 2 0
 the renthal fatbar lite is muck litter, 100 grams more than the normal, if you read the article you will understand that, I have this in the 20mm rise option and weights 269 grams, the normal fatbar in the 20mm rise option and cute to 740 weight more than 310 grams
  • 6 0
 It is lighter than a Fatbar cut to the same width. "The smaller width means less leverage going through the rise, so they have been able to reduce the material there as it's no longer needed." There is more material in a Fatbar cut to 740mm than in a 740 Fatbar Light as the tubing used in the regular Fatbar has to be thicker to take the stress of being used at 780mm.

So technically it is lighter, and there is less handlebar there, even when the regular bar is cut to the same width.
  • 1 0
 To put it in layman's terms, the wall thickness is reduced in the rise area of the bar so there is less aluminum and less weight for the same length.
  • 1 1
 @zemigueltavares: Haha, "muck litter". You mean "much lighter"?
  • 1 0
 Which compound (medium/soft/extrasoft/etc) is closest to that of ODI grips? I’m looking to try one that is softer than my ODI ruffian.
  • 3 0
 Maybe just one picture with the whole grip in focus?
  • 1 0
 Im having trouble finding a distributor in Canada. Anyone know an online store i can purchase from (the renthal store appears to only post to the us)
  • 1 0
 do you have mounts i can use on my girlfriend?
i am currently running renthal twin wall bars off my YZF450 on her, but i find 'fat' bars would be ideal for my fat girlfriend.
  • 2 0
 The article should state the bend and sweep of the bars

Anyone know what it is?
  • 1 1
 Mmm white grips,browny yellow after first ride. I've felt these as they've been out in my lbs for months now and found them too thin and nothing special/new. WOWZA GRIPS!
  • 1 2
 I'm not sure I get it. Sure Renthal makes great bars but how the hell is a sustantially shorter and marginally lighter bar an improvement. I hope I didn't commit blasphemy here...
  • 3 0
 Well, it starts by recognizing that a 800mm bar makes no sense for all mountain/enduro (and in many people's cases neither does it for downhill, because bar width is associated with discipline, but also to one's size, not everybody needs an 800mm wide handlebar). Then, by noticing that since it's narrower, you don't need as much material for it to still be as stiff as it's bigger brother, and then deciding that the change in weight is substantially enough for the gram shaving people to justify spending $80 on a new handlebar and that it's production will be profitable.

That's pretty much it. I still find the price steep, though.
  • 2 0
 It would be nice to get a single in focus shot of the grips.
  • 1 0
 Agreed - wide open is not Always the best way to shoot product shots.
  • 2 0
 I have the Fatbar strong and durable bar..
  • 1 0
 That color,is too rusty for me..,but it's still rental so who gives a f*ck Smile
  • 4 3
 they need to make the bars in black!!!!!!
  • 3 1
 bokeh-licious
  • 3 6
 Got a pair of kevlar grips, and I must admit they're super comfy and grippy. I'm tempted to put them on all of my bikes Smile

I also run a Fatbar on my miniDH, and planned on using a Fatbar Lite (I actually bought one ...) on my AM bike, but finally heard Renthal bars were not made in house in Manchester Frown so back to my made in France bars Big Grin
  • 1 3
 They are not made in UK anymore? So all we have left in EU from handlebars is Syntace?
  • 2 0
 I'm sure a company like Renthal would ensure that the highest standards of production are applied when making their bars, regardless of where they are produced
  • 2 1
 The quality is still superb ! one of the best around, as it's not a catalog product (like some other brands ...) not denying that, I just wanted a made in Europe/USA set of bars ^^

Well I got hold of a set of Neken handlebars (that are from France), but few left and they don't plan on making new ones before a few years ...
  • 5 4
 @Thegoose - It's nothing about the quality. If I need to buy a new product then I want something made as localy as possible. In my case it is Europe, I want to support industry and believe that this creates or maintains true jobs, or if you like: keeps own economy in a good shape.

So if they are not made in UK anymore, the German Syntace it shall be...
  • 3 1
 As close as possible?? for a bar??? If something went wrong with it they have to send you a new ...no matter where its made...distribution is still in England last time I checked :/ !
Renthal does first choice quality stuff...end of... Buy one ..I did and I am happy Smile
  • 3 1
 The jumpbars are still made in England, just the fatbar/fatbar lite. And I repeat, it's TOP quality. Just that, like WAKI, I wanted something made somewhere else than south east Asia. And I've found what I was looking for, just not with Renthal written on it.
  • 3 4
 Themountain - you have not understood what I wrote at all. Whatever, when are you getting something from BOS suspension Poultre? Big Grin I desire DeVille so badly!
  • 1 3
 Not getting any ... The Vipr is not the best shock for the Five I'm getting next week, so I'm getting a modded Fox CTD, and on the front I'll have a fully modded Lyrik (air spring and damper). Not as good as a Deville I'll admit, but cheaper, super easy to service, and colour coordinated Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Ploutre: having trouble confirming, but looking on the web for the jumpbar: it kinda looks like they're not making it anymore, availability is scarce, and chainreaction has it labeled as "discontinued." Hope I'm wrong though, looking at them, I think they're more what I want for my new bike than the tweet tweet bars I was looking at before.
  • 2 0
 So you can't buy made in Asia bars because it's not supporting the local economy but you go full on American suspension?
  • 3 1
 Was planning on writing a long answer, but no.

I'll just say I do whatever I can, within reason, for my next build to be made in somewhere-else-than-Asia. If that includes using a TW dropper post, TW fork and shock, then so be it, I know the rest will be from around here. If you want to keep buying overexpensive frames from TW because it's written a specific frame maker on it, then so be it, but I'd rather pay 1500€ for an Orange Frame, which by the way, has a much better suspension design than most frames out there (than say, a SC Nomad for example).

Let the hate continue! as it has already started Smile

(oh and that was the short version)
  • 2 2
 JoseMPM - Rome wasn't built in one day. Suspension made in Europe is extremely expensive, unlike components. My dream is to have a bike made solely from Euro-made stuff bought in LBS.

Wouldn't you appreciate if I was buying wine from Spain on regular basis rather than from Chile, even though Chilean is very likely to be better?
  • 1 0
 ....even though Chilean is very likely to be better?

Excuse me ???
Obviously where you come from they know fu²k about wine lol
  • 1 2
 Buahaha, What else? Real Madrid is the best footbal team in the world? I'm sure it is the best one in Spain though
  • 1 0
 Well as a almost catalan I can´t commend that....but who gives a hoot about soccer??
  • 1 1
 Mah, I saw you are from Barcelona so just wanted to see if I can piss you off with something like that. So any chance if getting what I meant? That someone can see a holistic value in buying "local" stuff?
  • 2 2
 That's gotta be the ugliest bokeh I have ever seen on that title image. Was this shot through a f/1.8 beer bottle?
  • 1 0
 i want one of those bars!
  • 1 0
 and i thought 720 was wide for a trail bar. but 740? lawdy
  • 1 0
 They need to do different colors for their bar!!!!!
  • 1 0
 got the bars, amazing control, nuff said
  • 1 0
 wish renthal would make some half-waffle grips.. best grip pattern IMO..
  • 1 0
 I'm running the super soft drips, they're amazing.
  • 1 0
 Gonna order some of these
  • 1 0
 130mm grips? no thank you
  • 1 1
 that will match my DUO stem. I might have to replace my Chromag.........................................................not.
  • 2 1
 Kevlar lock ons at last
  • 1 1
 where can i get some lock ons
  • 1 1
 Like the grips fairplay Smile
  • 1 1
 Kevlar lock-ons just ordered after reading this
  • 1 0
 Renthal is so good now!
  • 2 2
 Soo they took off weight by cutting 20mm off each side.. uhh
  • 4 0
 Read the effing article, how many times is this question gonna be asked!??
  • 1 3
 Now they're not only heavy and an ugly colour, but also narrow. Good to see Renthal striving for further mediocrity in the MTB market.
  • 1 0
 The goods!!
  • 1 0
 Pastel colors? Really?
  • 3 3
 Want Want
  • 2 1
 Had the lock grips for a week now!!!,
  • 2 1
 I have the Kevlar ones, awesome! Bye bye ruffians...
  • 2 1
 the same too dude..
  • 1 3
 "Fatbar Lite" on the bars, and the headline says "Fatbar Light".
  • 9 1
 Woow, someone call the police.
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