The Odub 31.8 Handlebar is the latest model from the component and bike brand DMR. Developed in conjunction with factory rider Olly Wilkins, it's a strong and dependable bar with some clever butting technology that shaves unnecessary weight and makes it very comfortable for a heavy-hitting alloy bar. It's well priced and looks great, just so long as you like the colour black.
- Best MTB handlebars - tried and tested trail bars
- Are wider MTB handlebars better?
- Fasst Company Flexx Enduro handlebar review
DMR Odub 31.8mm handlebar - Technical details
The DMR Odub is the new signature handlebar of cheeky trail maniac and DMR team rider Olly Wilkins.
DMR has worked with Olly over the last decade refining its predecessor the DMR Wingbar and, with tweaks to the shape and some clever spiral butting to increase strength and durability, the result is the strongest and lightest bar DMR has ever produced. This 31.8mm rise version weighs 340g on my digital scales, not bad for such a bombproof bar.
The primary aim with the Odub was maximum versatility, one bar to do it all. Olly wanted a reliable and robust bar with a comfortable but commanding shape that he could run on all his bikes from his dirt jumper to enduro or DH bike.
After trialling many configurations, Olly settled on his fave eight degrees of back sweep with five degrees of up sweep as it's just what ‘felt right’ for all types of riding.
As well as the mid-height 35mm version I'm testing here, the Odub also comes in a low 20mm rise option and a lofty 50mm high-rise which should be perfect for the dirt jumper or riders wanting a taller front end. DMR offers the bars in both 31.8 or 35mm bar clamp options with a nice healthy 780mm or 800mm of span, respectively.
When it comes to the choice of material, alloy was the obvious choice for Mr Wilkins owing to its ability to take the knocks and spills without the worry of it snapping on him without warning like carbon bars sometimes can. The Odub is manufactured from top quality 7075 heat-treated aluminium with the spiral butting process ensuring there are no sharp edges or stress risers internally, even when viewed under a microscope, meaning no weak points in the structure that could lead to premature failure. This is a bar that's built to last.
The Odub is a cool-looking handlebar with a hard-wearing anodised gloss black finish and classy monochrome laser-etched graphics. Also present are clear marks for accurate bar roll and centring and cut gradients should you wish to trim the bars to your preferred width. Unfortunately for fans of glitzy cockpits, at present, the Odub is only available in black, with no alternative colour options available as yet.
DMR Odub 31.8mm handlebar - Performance
Coming from a 35mm diameter Renthal Fatbar, the 31.8mm Odub looked a little weedy in comparison - it's been a while since I've ridden a non-oversized ‘old skool’ cockpit - and I was interested to see if this would translate to a noticeably different ride feel on the trails.
Unsurprisingly, coming straight off one of my favourite shaped bars, the Odub’s eight-degree back and five-degree up dimensions felt pretty darn perfect, with identical up sweep and just a degree more back sweep than the Renthals. I also kept the bar at its full 780mm span, as I've found that's my go-to width for all types of riding. I also prefer a slightly taller front end these days, so the 35mm of rise here felt great on my long-reach enduro bike providing a great balance of front wheel traction and confidence in the steeps.
While somewhat subjective, the construction and material of a handlebar play a huge part in how a bike feels, and full credit to DMR for balancing the characteristics of the Odub bar quite brilliantly with a comfy-but-accurate ride quality. While a narrower 31.8 gauge bar will almost always offer a little more flex and compliance than its stiffer 35mm counterpart, it's often at the expense of feedback and accuracy. However, the Odub manages to mute a great deal of trail buzz and vibration, whilst remaining reassuringly solid and torsionally stiff when the terrain gets rowdy.
That clever spiral butting also plays a part in this by tuning the tube profile internally to optimise comfort while retaining a direct and accurate steering response.
Build quality and finish appear to be top-notch, too, with the bar looking as good as new after several months of riding and a few crashes thrown in for good measure.
DMR Odub 31.8 handlebar - Verdict
On the whole, it's pretty hard to fault the DMR Odub handlebar. It feels great with a nice familiar shape and a comfortable ride quality that keeps hands fresher than most in this 31.8mm format. Additionally, with DMR's proven pedigree for making tough and dependable handlebars, I've been happy smashing through rock gardens and sending drops safe in the knowledge it's got my back. At 340g, it's not the lightest bar out there but it's a competitive weight for a full-width bombproof alloy bar. The fact DMR and Olly opted for aluminium over carbon fibre keeps the price down, too, and at £75 it's decent value for the quality on offer.
For a little context, the recently released OneUp Aluminium handlebar costs £89 although thanks to the same ovalised profile as its carbon sibling, it's claimed to offer enhanced vertical compliance without sacrificing steering stiffness. The OneUp bar is only available in either a 20mm or 35mm rise with no high rise option like the Odub and it is only offered in a 35mm bar clamp making it slightly less versatile than the DMR bar.
Another worthy contender in this category is the Gusset S2 handlebar. It's a beautifully finished and robust alloy handlebar that at £60 is a good bit cheaper than the DMR bar. The S2 also trumps the Odub when it comes to rise options with five to choose from 10mm up to a high rise 50mm option and it can be bought in either 31.8- or 35mm diameters, making it super versatile. It's a little harsh on the hands in 35mm format though, with a very direct and precise ride feel that would suit aggressive riders looking for pinpoint accuracy over comfort.
Overall I've been very happy with the DMR Odub 31.8 handlebars. The Odub is a great value, no-nonsense alloy handlebar that just works well across the board, with a perfect blend of compliance and strength and a really comfortable shape as well as a wide range of rises to suit most riders. The classy monochrome design also looks awesome on pretty much any bike, although it would be nice to see some more colourful options in the future. While it might not be the lightest bar you can buy, it's far from the heaviest and I'd take a few extra grammes for peace of mind in gnarly terrain every time.