ABOUT THE PNW LOAM CARBON BARS
PNW Components followed the release of their first-ever carbon handlebars with a 31.8mm diameter version of the 35mm Loam Carbon Bar. Regardless of bar diameter, the Loam Bars are provided at an 800mm width, with 10mm increment markings for measureless cutting down. These marks extend to 740mm, which is the bar’s minimum width. PNW offer the Loam Carbon Bars in 25mm, 38mm, and tall 50mm rise options, letting most riders get their fit dialled in.
Along with quite a few size options, PNW offers several different color options for the Loam Bar’s decals. Customers can choose from nine color options, granted the colors are in stock.
The PNW Loam Carbon Bars are appropriate for use on various bikes, from trail bikes to enduro and even downhill. They are also rated for e-bike use, which will please many. A major reason the PNW Loam Bar is able to stand up to the highest levels of riding is its use of a high quality pre-preg UD carbon fiber, creating a carbon known for stiffness, strength, and durability. This same type of pre-preg carbon fiber is found in race car and aerospace manufacturing.
PNW also uses its patent-pending Compliant Bore Design (CBD) in the Loam Carbon Bar. The carbon layup produces a unique inside shape and variable wall thickness. With the CBD layup, PNW can design the Loam Bars with the chatter-absorbing vertical compliance many expect from a carbon bar, while maintaining their lateral stiffness to offer handling precision.
Like many mountain bike handlebars, PNW designed its Loam Carbon Bar with 5° of upsweep. However, PNW stepped away from traditional bar geometry, giving the Loam Bars 10° of backsweep. This relaxes the wrists a little, and places the rider’s hands noticeably closer to their body. PNW explained that growing reach numbers have riders more stretched out, putting increased strain on their shoulders and arms. The additional backsweep of the Loam Bars helps eliminate some of the added stretch from increased reach numbers, alleviating the strain on the body.
Along with the 31.8mm and 35mm Loam Carbon bars PNW sent my way, they also sent along their new Loam Stem. The fully CNC’d 6061 alloy Loam Stem comes in both a 31.8mm and 35mm clamp, with 32mm or 40mm length options and four color choices. The PNW Loam Stem retails for $99.
THE DIRT
Stems are a difficult product to review. As long as they don’t shear off and hold the bars well, what else is there to discuss? The new Loam Stem looks damn cool and pairs well with the Loam Bars. If you are considering purchasing the Loam Bars, consider grabbing the Loam Stem as well.
Compared to most other bars I’ve ridden, the PNW Loam Carbon Bars have only 2° more backsweep. However, the jump from 8° to 10° of backsweep proved to be a more considerable change and adjustment period than expected. There was an apparent difference when I first put the Loam Bars on my bike as it was very evident that the 10° backsweep brought my hands much closer to my body. This change led to an adjustment period of at least five rides, maybe as many as seven. While some bars will begin their sweep further towards the grips, the Loam Bar sweeps back quite early on, giving a pronounced rearward hand position.
The first handful of rides using the Loam Carbon Bars were a little awkward. Adjusting to the 10° backsweep proved more frustrating than I expected. Technical climbing was more difficult than expected, and when I pointed the bike back downhill, I did so with much more hesitancy than usual. Fortunately, after a few rides, PNW’s 10° backsweep became my new normal, and I no longer focused on the position of my hands.
The Loam Carbon Bars perform well in everything we expect carbon bars to do – plenty of precision, and at 233g they shave a good chunk of weight over an alloy bar. The magic though is that PNW’s CDB layup gives the bars enough vertical compliance to soak up the vibrations and trail chatter that often gets hands buzzing with carbon bars. Yet, they remain stiff in big compressions and corners, providing confidence on more technical sections of trail.
However, it was the 10° of backsweep that actually pushed the PNW Loam Carbon Bar to the top of my handlebar list. Although there was the awkward adjustment period getting used to the backsweep, I’m happy I pushed through. PNW’s anti-fatigue geometry (the 10° backsweep) is no joke — I was blown away by how well my hands and arms felt compared to other handlebars I’ve used. The additional backsweep causes the rider to ride less stretched out over the front of the bike, which usually puts more stress on the hands, arms, and shoulders. After getting comfortable with the PNW Loam Bars, I needed to stop and rest on prolonged descents when my legs told me to, rather than due to arm fatigue.
Aaron Kerson, CEO and Co-Founder of PNW Components, explained via email that they created the 31.8mm and 35mm diameter bars to have the same ride feel. From my time using both size bars, the difference between the two is negligible at best, even with back-to-back testing. If there is a difference (which would be incredibly minute), the 35mm bars are perhaps a bit stiffer — which is what you would expect with a larger bar. I preferred the 35mm bar, but that was more due to how they looked rather than feel or performance. With minimal weight penalty, the 35mm bar just appears stronger and burlier, giving that little mental edge.
The Wolf’s Last Word
If you struggle with arm pump, hand fatigue, or sore shoulders on prolonged descents, I urge you to check out the PNW Loam Carbon Handlebars. While getting used to a bar with 10° of backsweep took longer than I liked, reducing arm pump and hand fatigue was well worth enduring a handful of awkward rides. 
Price: $164
Website: PNWcomponents.com
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ABOUT THE WOLF
The local boy — Travis was born and raised in Bend, OR. Skateboarding consumed his life until his high school years (yes, he can still kickflip), but was replaced by mountain biking…then rock climbing, whitewater rafting, and finally back to mountain biking. After a stint in the big city, Travis returned home, trading a teaching career to be an okay mountain biker and above-average journalist. He is an outspoken 90s grunge fan, cornering poor souls in conversations about the meaning behind the lyrics of Alice In Chains’ “Would.” Most days, Travis hopes to be outside, whether that is on an early morning ride or a hike with his family (the best days include both).
Rank: Contributing Writer
Size: 5’8” / 172cm | 195lbs / 88kg
Social: @travis_reill_writes
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