The Answer HyperLite weighs only 143.5 grams yet Answer, with Easton (Jas. D. Easton, Inc. of Van Nuys, Calif) as the actual maker, has done so without too seriously compromising the handlebar strength for its weight savings. These bars use the Easton EA70 aluminum tubing which is said by Easton to be twice as strong as the conventional 6061- T6 or 6063-T6 used by most other makers. EA70 is said to be a complex alloy of aluminum, and other metals that yields superior fracture toughness and fatigue resistance. We have been told that EA70 is a variation of 7050 alloy. The common formulation of 7050 includes 2.3% copper, 2.2% magnesium and 6.2 zinc and the balance aluminum. In making "EA70" Easton has added .12% zirconium to the standard 7050 composition. The addition of the .12% zirconium is well known in aluminum manufacture and is used regularly in 7050 alloy. Notice in our Metals section that T74 tempered (call it T7X, then E7X, then possibly EA70) 7050 alloy has roughly twice the strength characteristics of 6061-T6 or 6063-T6 in terms of Ultimate tensile and Yield strength. These handlebars do not have the wall thickness tapered in the bulge area of the bar. The metal is made thicker at the bulge and wall thickness tapers to become thinner internally, as it moves to the ends of the bar. This is in contrast to convention which makes the wall thickness thinner in the area of the bulge as it is created. We actually cut a Hyperlite in half lengthwise and sanded the cut to make some measurements. The knurled area of the bulge has a 2.02mm wall thickness. At the point of the rearward bend 3 1/2" from the center on each side it has tapered to just 1.8mm wall thickness. Over the remaining 8" or 203mm, on each side, the wall thickness tapers to just 8/10ths millimeter. (The cut bar is on display in our retail store) These bars are made in a 3 degree or 5 degree bend, with a brushed surface treated that fine patterned lines around (circumferencially) the tubing. The bar diameter is 7/8" (22.2mm) at the ends, where the tubing is .7mm thick, and 1" (25.4mm) at the knurled bulge in the center. Answer includes a pair of Black plastic, press-in handlebar reinforcing plugs. The wall thickness may be too thin for use cinch type bar extensions, these 1" long plugs internally support the tapered wall against being crushed. The HyperLite is an ATB flat bar available anodized in Black, Blue or Silver (clear). Ultra-light and Ultra-strong, we found the 23" inch long Hyperlite to weigh 143.5 grams, less than Answers 148 gram specification weight. The pair of re-inforcement plugs, if used, will add 8 1/2 grams. Answer has an unconditional 2 year warranty on this handlebar.
Degree -3-5 / Color -B-BK-S $ Price in Catalog
The most likely area for a handlebar to fail is the two inches to the left and right of the where the stem clamps. The common way of making a bulged bar requires that the metal in the area of the bulge be much thinner as the diameter is expanded to the needed 25.4mm from the original 22.2mm diameter. The handlebar maker, in essence, sacrifices the tubing wall thickness at the bulge to make the diameter larger. Making the metal thinner in that area makes the handlebar weaker. The distinction of the Answer Taperlite 2 is the thickness of the metal is greatest at the bulge area. It remains thicker in the middle and tapers outward toward the ends of the bar. We cut a Taperlite 2 in half lengthwise to make measurements and found the bulge area had a wall thickness of 2.21mm. At the point where the handlebar bends backward, the wall thickness had reduced to just 2.13mm. Over the remaining 205mm it reduced in wall thickness to 1.75mm at the bar end. Answer has Easton make this using Easton "E9" high performance aluminum alloy with this tapered wall design to create a lightweight handlebar with truly exceptional strength. "E9" tubing, we are told is a variation of 6013 comprised of .7% silicon, .28% copper, 1.0% magnesium and .2% chromium. The variation occurs in the material being "worked" to achieve a T9 temper. In our Metals section we mention that a T9 temper is achieved through "solution heat treatment", (meaning the alloy is melted), then "artificially aged", (meaning it's allowed to cool slowly at raised temperatures), then "cold worked", (machine formed into the handlebar shape). To give an Easton identity to the process, the "T" is changed to "E". The TaperLite 2 is an ATB flat bar, available in 3 degree, or 5 degree bends, with a brushed surface treated that fine patterned lines around (circumferencially) the tubing. The bar diameter is 7/8" (22.2mm) at the ends, where the tubing is 1.5mm thick, and 1" (25.4mm) at the knurled bulge in the center. The bar is 23" long and comes in an anodized finish. It is made in Black, or Silver (clear). A Taperlite 2 weighs just 195.5 grams, down from the 217.5 grams of the original TaperLite bar. This is not made any longer.
