The EA70 AX handlebar from Easton is a slightly tweaked version of the MCD road bar and offers more stability when the roads get gravelly. Those changes have resulted in a bar with a comfortable shape and one that supplies confidence when travelling at speed in the drops. However, not everyone will appreciate the stiffness or the price.
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Easton EA70 AX handlebar - Technical details
This handlebar gets the very same top shape and reach as Easton’s MCD road bars but the biggest change comes in the form of its flare which has been increased from four- to 16-degrees. The brand has settled in this figure as it reckons that number represents the perfect flare and best possible access to the controls while in the drops.
Elsewhere, you’ll find the MCD Drop Technology or Maximum Contact Handebar tech. That means the bar gets an 80mm reach and a 120mm drop. What’s hard to see is that there’s a portion that flattens slightly partway down the drop, boosting overall hand contact with the bar.
The EA70 alloy handlebar is Di2 compatible but not with a bar end junction and there are no recesses or channels for any cables or brake hoses to hide but the round bar means the wrapping process is easy.
As for weight, the EA70 AX comes in at 308g which is the ballpark for bars of this nature.
Easton EA70 AX handlebar - Performance
Before getting onto how the bar rides, the setup definitely needs a mention as Easton has been super nice here and printed a couple of guides around the top of the drops that help with setting your brake lever height. It’s super easy to follow and a really nice touch, making a traditionally timeous exercise short and easy to do.
In terms of performance, the EA70 AX stacks up rather well. I’m a fan of the MCD drop tech as the reach is reasonably short, which helps me keep my back straight on the bike and my body position up a bit when I’m sitting in the hoods. Those who prefer a more aero focus will want to go for a longer stem to compensate for this but it’s something I quite like about the bar.
When in the drops, things remain perfectly comfortable. Easton’s restraint in going crazy with flare has paid off as the 16-degree flare adds useful stability and confidence when tearing it downhill.
While Easton has put a lot of thought into the bar’s flare, it would be great to see a flatter top section just for better comfort over longer distances. Of course, this may not be to everyone’s taste and it does allow for the attachment of lights and other gubbins. Though my main issue is the stiffness, especially on brake-heavy descents and over long distances. Some extra flex would be nice but given the relatively light weight of the bar, there is a bit of a trade-off here.
Easton EA70 AX handlebar - Verdict
At £100, the Easton EA70 AX is pretty pricey for a simple alloy bar and there’s some stiff competition at this price point, namely from the £95 Deda Gravel100 RHM bar. Stu praised it for its ability to dampen vibrations and it's lighter at £275g.
Another competitor at £100 is Spank’s Flare Vibrocore which gets a fancy foam core that’s been added to reduce vibrations. This one is more aggressively flared at 25-degree though and is weightier at 355g in a 460mm width.
If you’re looking for a reasonably lightweight bar that doesn’t go too crazy on the flare front, the Easton EA70 AX does a commendable job. While it is a little stiff, it’s comfortable but there are plenty of other bars that’ll perform similarly for less cash.