Switching from TwinWalls to Fatbar

hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50
Edited Date/Time 11/30/2020 10:30am
Has anyone in here switched from TwinWalls to a FatBar recently? If so, what differences did you notice? Just wondering if ditching that crossbar is the last piece of the puzzle to finding the comfort I’m looking for. I don’t struggle with gnarly arm pump or anything but I’m just wondering if they provide a better feel. I’m a long time #997 guy and I’m thinking of switching over to the #604 fat bar.
Thanks
-TH
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mattyhamz2 11/29/2020 3:31pm
11/29/2020 3:31pm
hubbardmx50 wrote:
Has anyone in here switched from TwinWalls to a FatBar recently? If so, what differences did you notice? Just wondering if ditching that crossbar is the...
Has anyone in here switched from TwinWalls to a FatBar recently? If so, what differences did you notice? Just wondering if ditching that crossbar is the last piece of the puzzle to finding the comfort I’m looking for. I don’t struggle with gnarly arm pump or anything but I’m just wondering if they provide a better feel. I’m a long time #997 guy and I’m thinking of switching over to the #604 fat bar.
Thanks
-TH
If I remember correctly, Keefer said cutting the crossbar on the twinwalls gets more flex than the FatBar. Just throw some electrical tape around the cut. A lot of guys do it. Maybe try that before buying another set of bars?
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aeffertz
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aeffertz 11/29/2020 3:43pm
11/29/2020 3:43pm
For me it was weird to get used to not seeing the cross bar at first while riding but the bend that felt the most comfortable and natural when I was resting on the bike was only available in a non crossbar type bend. But once I got over the visual oddity it felt way better for me since the bar bend was what I ultimately felt more comfortable on.
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Zycki11
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Zycki11 11/29/2020 3:49pm
11/29/2020 3:49pm
mattyhamz2 wrote:
If I remember correctly, Keefer said cutting the crossbar on the twinwalls gets more flex than the FatBar. Just throw some electrical tape around the cut...
If I remember correctly, Keefer said cutting the crossbar on the twinwalls gets more flex than the FatBar. Just throw some electrical tape around the cut. A lot of guys do it. Maybe try that before buying another set of bars?
Agreed, just cut the cross section and you have the best of both worlds. Also, if your too forward on the bike and it is placing too much pressure on your arms/hands, cut the bars to make them slightly narrower. This will keep your weight further back
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FGR01
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FGR01 11/29/2020 3:50pm
11/29/2020 3:50pm
hubbardmx50 wrote:
Has anyone in here switched from TwinWalls to a FatBar recently? If so, what differences did you notice? Just wondering if ditching that crossbar is the...
Has anyone in here switched from TwinWalls to a FatBar recently? If so, what differences did you notice? Just wondering if ditching that crossbar is the last piece of the puzzle to finding the comfort I’m looking for. I don’t struggle with gnarly arm pump or anything but I’m just wondering if they provide a better feel. I’m a long time #997 guy and I’m thinking of switching over to the #604 fat bar.
Thanks
-TH
mattyhamz2 wrote:
If I remember correctly, Keefer said cutting the crossbar on the twinwalls gets more flex than the FatBar. Just throw some electrical tape around the cut...
If I remember correctly, Keefer said cutting the crossbar on the twinwalls gets more flex than the FatBar. Just throw some electrical tape around the cut. A lot of guys do it. Maybe try that before buying another set of bars?
Yeah it probably is more flex, but it's also less crash bending resistance. Even with the crossbar, Twinwalls are not very bend resistant for how stupidly rigid they are. You also lose a bunch of control mounting real estate on the Twinwalls compared to the FatBar. Every time I ride someone's bike with Twinwalls I can't understand how they can ride with them. So harsh on your wrists and hands.
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cloud41
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cloud41 11/29/2020 3:54pm
11/29/2020 3:54pm
The fat bar is noticeably more comfortable than a twin wall. I do not notice any difference in either handlebar’s ability to hold up to crashing better.
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hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 11/29/2020 4:07pm
11/29/2020 4:07pm
I haven’t ridden any other bar or bend in awhile but in my personal experience TwinWalls seem extremely rigid and I just want to change it up and try something else. It’s cool that Renthal makes the same bend for every bar style.
mattyhamz2 11/29/2020 4:09pm
11/29/2020 4:09pm
hubbardmx50 wrote:
Has anyone in here switched from TwinWalls to a FatBar recently? If so, what differences did you notice? Just wondering if ditching that crossbar is the...
Has anyone in here switched from TwinWalls to a FatBar recently? If so, what differences did you notice? Just wondering if ditching that crossbar is the last piece of the puzzle to finding the comfort I’m looking for. I don’t struggle with gnarly arm pump or anything but I’m just wondering if they provide a better feel. I’m a long time #997 guy and I’m thinking of switching over to the #604 fat bar.
Thanks
-TH
mattyhamz2 wrote:
If I remember correctly, Keefer said cutting the crossbar on the twinwalls gets more flex than the FatBar. Just throw some electrical tape around the cut...
If I remember correctly, Keefer said cutting the crossbar on the twinwalls gets more flex than the FatBar. Just throw some electrical tape around the cut. A lot of guys do it. Maybe try that before buying another set of bars?
FGR01 wrote:
Yeah it probably is more flex, but it's also less crash bending resistance. Even with the crossbar, Twinwalls are not very bend resistant for how stupidly...
Yeah it probably is more flex, but it's also less crash bending resistance. Even with the crossbar, Twinwalls are not very bend resistant for how stupidly rigid they are. You also lose a bunch of control mounting real estate on the Twinwalls compared to the FatBar. Every time I ride someone's bike with Twinwalls I can't understand how they can ride with them. So harsh on your wrists and hands.
I’ve never cut my crossbar on any set of twinwalls so I have no experience with that. I’d imagine you are correct though. I just run whatever I get the bike with and get use to it until I can justify buying a new set of bars lol. Of the 3 bikes I have to ride, all 3 have different bars and none of the bends are similar. Adapting is easier than trying to explain/justify to my wife that I need to spend $100 on new bars Laughing

I do know that Renthal does say you can cut the crossbar on the Twinwalls.
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Zycki11
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Zycki11 11/29/2020 4:16pm
11/29/2020 4:16pm
hubbardmx50 wrote:
I haven’t ridden any other bar or bend in awhile but in my personal experience TwinWalls seem extremely rigid and I just want to change it...
I haven’t ridden any other bar or bend in awhile but in my personal experience TwinWalls seem extremely rigid and I just want to change it up and try something else. It’s cool that Renthal makes the same bend for every bar style.
Mika is great comfort
hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 11/29/2020 4:58pm
11/29/2020 4:58pm
Whether they bend in a crash or not isn’t an issue for me. I am just curious of the difference in feel. Obviously cutting the crossbar is a well known mod but I’m not interested in doing that. Not interested in anything Mika or ProTaper either.
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Darrin Willis
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Darrin Willis 11/29/2020 5:04pm
11/29/2020 5:04pm
Im old and use flexx bars. Odd at first but they work for me. Have to sell a kidney to afford them.
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hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 11/29/2020 5:06pm
11/29/2020 5:06pm
hubbardmx50 wrote:
Has anyone in here switched from TwinWalls to a FatBar recently? If so, what differences did you notice? Just wondering if ditching that crossbar is the...
Has anyone in here switched from TwinWalls to a FatBar recently? If so, what differences did you notice? Just wondering if ditching that crossbar is the last piece of the puzzle to finding the comfort I’m looking for. I don’t struggle with gnarly arm pump or anything but I’m just wondering if they provide a better feel. I’m a long time #997 guy and I’m thinking of switching over to the #604 fat bar.
Thanks
-TH
mattyhamz2 wrote:
If I remember correctly, Keefer said cutting the crossbar on the twinwalls gets more flex than the FatBar. Just throw some electrical tape around the cut...
If I remember correctly, Keefer said cutting the crossbar on the twinwalls gets more flex than the FatBar. Just throw some electrical tape around the cut. A lot of guys do it. Maybe try that before buying another set of bars?
FGR01 wrote:
Yeah it probably is more flex, but it's also less crash bending resistance. Even with the crossbar, Twinwalls are not very bend resistant for how stupidly...
Yeah it probably is more flex, but it's also less crash bending resistance. Even with the crossbar, Twinwalls are not very bend resistant for how stupidly rigid they are. You also lose a bunch of control mounting real estate on the Twinwalls compared to the FatBar. Every time I ride someone's bike with Twinwalls I can't understand how they can ride with them. So harsh on your wrists and hands.
FGR, what bars do you run?
FGR01
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FGR01 11/29/2020 5:12pm
11/29/2020 5:12pm
hubbardmx50 wrote:
FGR, what bars do you run?
Pro Taper Evo stock Husky or the Renthal FatBar 672 KTM/Suz/Yam bend which is the same as the stock Husky bend. I like the flex of these and the lack of cross bar doesn't visually bother me at all. Been running non-crossbars since the early 90's.
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kb228
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kb228 11/29/2020 5:13pm
11/29/2020 5:13pm
Take the crossbar off the twinwalls. Ive switched and prefer the fatbars. The extra flex is just enough.
crowe660
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crowe660 11/29/2020 5:39pm
11/29/2020 5:39pm
I’ve been running fatbars and pro tapers since 01, and I’ve never bent one any worse than it took just loosening the clamp to straighten it back out.
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Rabbit Run 41 11/29/2020 6:33pm
11/29/2020 6:33pm Edited Date/Time 11/29/2020 6:37pm
I just changed the bar on my 19 350SXF. A few issues on that bike. The 19 frames are kinda rigid compared to previous years. The forks are not "supple". The bike comes with a Neken bar. I can affordably change one of those. I put an Evo bar on with the Windham bend. I have used that bar bend/sweep for many years with twinwalls.
I knew the stock Neken had a dead feel. After two track days on the Evo bar, I am very happy with how much more forgiving it is on flat landings and chop into the turns. I was also worried about going without a crossbar, but it really isn't an issue for me now. I think you will be just as happy with a fatbar. They are both quality products. FYI I did e-mail Keefer Testing regarding bar preferences. He recommended the EVO.
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walent215
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walent215 11/29/2020 7:03pm
11/29/2020 7:03pm
Why not just remove the crossbar rather than cut it?
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bvm111
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bvm111 11/29/2020 7:08pm
11/29/2020 7:08pm
i guess i’m an outlier as i prefer a twinwall to the fat bar as i like the crossbar, and to be honest i couldn’t notice a difference in flex or bump absorption.

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hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 11/29/2020 7:43pm
11/29/2020 7:43pm
Thanks everybody. I think some of you were able to answer my question. Think I'm gonna go with the #604 FatBar. I've been running the TwinWalls for about five years now and have had them on three different bikes. But lately I feel like I've gone down quite the rabbit hole and I'm ready to try something else. I still love the RIcky Carmichael bend so I'll be sticking with that
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TheGetFresh 11/29/2020 9:15pm
11/29/2020 9:15pm
walent215 wrote:
Why not just remove the crossbar rather than cut it?
So you can still run the round style bar pad. Some people prefer it.
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Cgrade4life 11/30/2020 3:46am
11/30/2020 3:46am
As much as i love the content and light hearted banter from keefer and Matthes, i throw up in my mouth every time i hear one of them mention cutting the crossbar and taping it up. For the love of god have some self respect and vist your local hardware store and or machine shop and sort your $hit out properly. This method retains "crash strength" but allows flex on compression.

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reded
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reded 11/30/2020 4:23am
11/30/2020 4:23am
Why not just remove the crossbar altogether instead of hacking it in half and leaving it limp dicked?
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Zeke27G
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Zeke27G 11/30/2020 5:50am
11/30/2020 5:50am

Switched to the Fatbar36 after years of running Twinwalls with a cut crossbar and couldn't be happier.

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GoggleFiend904 11/30/2020 6:14am
11/30/2020 6:14am
walent215 wrote:
Why not just remove the crossbar rather than cut it?
That’s what I did recently, and I like it. I’m still going to get some mikas at some point though.

Btw it takes 2 minutes to remove. Pull the two bolts then pry the clamps open
luke11
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luke11 11/30/2020 7:44am
11/30/2020 7:44am Edited Date/Time 11/30/2020 7:44am
Cgrade4life wrote:
As much as i love the content and light hearted banter from keefer and Matthes, i throw up in my mouth every time i hear one...
As much as i love the content and light hearted banter from keefer and Matthes, i throw up in my mouth every time i hear one of them mention cutting the crossbar and taping it up. For the love of god have some self respect and vist your local hardware store and or machine shop and sort your $hit out properly. This method retains "crash strength" but allows flex on compression.

Great piece of work but wouldn’t that still be solid as when the bars flex the crossbar would want to bend (like a triangle). I don’t think the bars will ever flex in a way that the crossbar would move in a straight line out of that sleeve? Am I making sense?
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hubbardmx50
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hubbardmx50 11/30/2020 8:38am
11/30/2020 8:38am Edited Date/Time 11/30/2020 8:46am
Cgrade4life wrote:
As much as i love the content and light hearted banter from keefer and Matthes, i throw up in my mouth every time i hear one...
As much as i love the content and light hearted banter from keefer and Matthes, i throw up in my mouth every time i hear one of them mention cutting the crossbar and taping it up. For the love of god have some self respect and vist your local hardware store and or machine shop and sort your $hit out properly. This method retains "crash strength" but allows flex on compression.

Wow, that’s neat. I really don’t care about running a crossbar though, I don’t mind the FatBar/Pro Taper style bar. Not worth $80 to me to hack up my $120 TwinWalls and I’ll still have them as a spare
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LungButter
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LungButter 11/30/2020 8:52am
11/30/2020 8:52am
Cgrade4life wrote:
As much as i love the content and light hearted banter from keefer and Matthes, i throw up in my mouth every time i hear one...
As much as i love the content and light hearted banter from keefer and Matthes, i throw up in my mouth every time i hear one of them mention cutting the crossbar and taping it up. For the love of god have some self respect and vist your local hardware store and or machine shop and sort your $hit out properly. This method retains "crash strength" but allows flex on compression.

I've watched with my own eyes Factory KTM Off Road mechanics cut the cross bar and tape it up, so.....
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Falcon
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Falcon 11/30/2020 9:02am
11/30/2020 9:02am
Plain old 7/8" Renthals for me.
Grovesy98
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Grovesy98 11/30/2020 9:05am
11/30/2020 9:05am
I used 997 twinwalls for quite a while, and then tried a mates bike with Fatbars and it was so much more forgiving and less vibration. I removed the crossbar on the twinwalls which definitely helped, but shortly after sold that bike (ktm 350). Recently bought a KX450 2020 and have been using the stock 7/8 bars for a few rides which are the same bend as the 997 RC. They feel OK, but I fancied trying the fatbar again so I've just fitted renthal clamps, Fatbars in 604 (RC) bend, and Emig V2 lock on grips. Will be trying it out Sunday, but certainly feels comfy with a nice amount of flex
Ryan625
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Ryan625 11/30/2020 9:47am
11/30/2020 9:47am
I’ve ran two walls on every bike for the last 15 years now, but you guys have me considering the fatbar36. I’ve broken my right wrist twice and my left forearm just recently. Wondering if this would help my armpump issue. Or do you think the Neken or Mako360 clamps would be more beneficial?
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