We are beaming with stoke as the reviews of The Loam Carbon Handlebar continue to roll in. It’s no secret that we put a ton of development into making the Loam the best carbon handlebar on the market – and hearing from our trusted media sources that we nailed it, is just about the best news we’ve read all year.
I HONESTLY THINK THEY NAILED IT
"The bar was supportive when I got out of the saddle and felt lively when picking through rocks and roots. On the downhill, the compliance was noticeable on bigger hits as the bars flexed, while keeping a nice little spring in lighter corners, almost like a cambered ski. Overall, the LOAM bars lean toward the stiffer end of things and I appreciate the snappier ride.”
“I honestly think they nailed it and have created a 3rd option for riders like me, who like performance but need a little extra comfort on long days in the saddle.”
“I think I found my bar for next year’s Downieville Classic.”
“The LOAM is great as an enduro style bar when you’re riding some bigger terrain and the bike’s suspension does most of the work smoothing out the chatter. It would also be a great upgrade for downcountry rigs, where stiffness is needed to perform, but the added compliance helps smooth out the bigger hits”
Read the full review on MEN'S JOURNAL
FEELS NICER THAN THE ONEUP
“So far really liking the new PNW carbon bar…a real world difference. I will report more as the miles are added.”
“Got mine installed tonight. Good quality--feels nicer than the OneUp, close to the quality feel of the Tenet bar but maybe a touch behind (although the decals are better). Rise and sweep felt comfortable in a lap around the block, but no trail time yet. The centering and sweep markings are very good.
Get the scoop from MTBR
THE LOAMS HAVE A “JUST RIGHT” TUNE
"I’ve tested the bars through some of the best handlebar testing conditions out there–if you believe those exist. I do. On Colorado’s Western Slope in Grand Junction, you’ll find plenty of janky, square-edged rocks just poking their heads out of the dirt. My second and third rides on the Loam bars were in Moab, and my fourth was back home on a fast, rutted, and rocky trail. If I summed up the PNW Loam carbon bars simply, I’d say I have had no complaints about their ride feel."
"The Loams have a “just right” tune to them and I don’t expect to have any complaints about them in the future. Handlebars are one of those things you get a good sense of right away if they are going to be too stiff or not."
Learn more at SINGLETRACKS
MIGHT JUST BE A GAME-CHANGER
“After two full days of riding technical terrain in Sedona, followed by a 12-mile ride in the chunk around Phoenix, AZ, I realized my usual wrist and hand discomfort was noticeably lessened; the vibrations from the trail just didn’t feel as harsh as before. This new handlebar might just be a game-changer for me."
Get all the dirt from THE RADAVIST
38MM OF RISE AT A REASONABLE PRICE POINT
"I am probably the most stoked on having another option for a quality carbon bar with 38mm of rise at a reasonable price point. With so many bikes coming with short head tubes, it can be challenging to find an ‘affordable’ lightweight bar with a decent rise and sweep."
"I have yet to log big days of descending in with the Loam bars, but my first impressions on local trails have been great. With the same sweep of the Range bar, it’s comfortable on those all-day long trail missions, but also rated as strong enough for e-bikes and DH riding and includes a lifetime warranty for manufacturing defects. I’m currently running the Range bar on two of my go-to trail bikes, and a lighter weight iteration with a higher rise is exactly what I’ve been looking for."
"This review is meant to focus on the new bars, but the stem is worth a close look if you’re not familiar with it; like the rest of the collection, the Range stem is a well thought out and designed component. It looks good on the bike and it comes in at a respectable weight and price point."other bars; I had to knock in my bar ends with a mallet.”
Read more at BERM STYLE
FAVORITE CARBON HANDLEBARS FOR TRAIL ENDURO OR DOWNHILL RIDING
"Upgrading to carbon fiber handlebars can help reduce fatigue in the hands and make for a smoother and more predictable ride. The PNW Components Loam Carbon Handlebar is one of our favorite carbon handlebars for trail enduro or downhill riding."
Read the full review on MTBR
PARK TOUGH AND TIRE/FORK TESTINGLY ACCURATE
“PNW have done an excellent job of producing a bar that’s park tough and tire/fork testingly accurate while still being epic XC comfy and light enough to be an upgrade on the scales too. I’m also a big fan of the back sweep, as while I sometimes initially prefer a less swept bar, my wrists never take long to remind me I actually don’t."
Get the scoop from BIKE PERFECT
THE QUALITY IS EXCELLENT, THE GEOMETRY IS DIALED
"Is it better than other carbon handlebars? That question will require more back-to-back testing, but rest assured the Loam Carbon bar is worth the price of admission. The quality is excellent, the geometry is dialed, and visually it looks like an upgrade as well."
Learn more at BIKERUMOR
SWEET SPOT OF COMPLIANCE AND CONTROL
"Whatever engineering magic PNW put into this bar, it works. I did not have any decrease in steering precision like I have noticed on very soft XC bars, so it’s really the best of both worlds."
"After a few rides, I knew the PNW Loam Bar was staying on my test bike for the foreseeable future. It hits the sweet spot of compliance and control perfectly and has enough decal color options to fit any build. Get your hands on one and get rid of that arm pump, it really works."
Get all the dirt from THE LOAM WOLF
RISE AND SWEEP FEEL NATURAL
“ I have a handful of rides in on the Loam Carbon Bar so far, and it's done exactly what a good handlebar is supposed to do – almost nothing. The rise and sweep feel natural, and the indicators in the middle of the bar help make getting it installed and centered quick and easy.
I haven't had any hand or wrist pain with the Loam Carbon Bar, and it's faded nicely into the background on each ride."
Read more at PINK BIKE
COMFORTABLE AND PRECISE
“Your bars, like your cranks or pedals or seatpost, shouldn't be noticeable at all if it suits your size and weight and riding style. If it is making you aware of something that's generally a bad thing, like excessive flex or unwanted feedback from the trail. PNW's new carbon bar was both comfortable and precise at 760mm and it seems like a bar I could happily ride for a good long time."
Read more at NSMB