off-road.cc

The Race Face Atlas 35 is a very wide, reliably solid aluminium bar, and whilst not the lightest, it keeps a decent level of bar comfort, and is a great choice for harder riders or if you're looking for a bombproof set up.

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The Atlas 35 bar is made from cold drawn 7075 alloy, and available in 20mm and 35mm rises (20mm tested). It comes in a slightly textured finish that scuffs slightly as you slide controls on to it.

With a five degree upsweep and eight degree bend, it has a comfortable and neutral feeling. With markings to centre and get the angle dialled in, it's simple and easy to get them clamped.

You may find your cables and hoses a little tougher to get on – the 820mm width is to blame for this. I found they give a stable and subtle feel to steering at that width, but there are marks for cutting them down to more common sizes (772mm is the minumum). 

The Atlas 35s feel really solid on the trail, with a slightly increased steering accuracy but a little more vibration. Even so, they aren’t as stiff as some other 35mm bars, and these give a decent balance of flex, stiffness and strength.

The Atlas 35 bar is nicely made and well-priced. It's a good option for riders looking for a tough, stiff and very wide bar for aggressive, gravity-based riding.

• raceface.com

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