Black EZ Curl Bar?

[AttyGuy]

So, I’ve been thinking about getting a black-oxide EZ curl bar lately and I’m having a hard time choosing among the various bars out there. Two points: the choice of black oxide, and the choice of an EZ curl bar. Black oxide certainly has some advantages over bare metal and chrome in some circumstances. For me, it's purely aesthetic. I use an EZ curl bar because of forearm pain when using a straight bar.

I did some research on this site, and also searched the internet for various brands and this is what I came up with:

• Body Solid - Olympic Curl Bar- Black, OB47B. 47”. 18 lbs. MSRP $59
  
• Cap – Deluxe Black Curl Bar, OBT-57B. 57”. 30mm grip. 800 lbs. capacity Est. $130.
  
• Cemco - Olympic Black Oxide E-Z Curl Bar, OCB-B. 52”. 25 lbs. 1200 lb. test. 125,000 tensil psi. 100,000 yield psi. Est. $130.
  
• Fitness Factory (Body Solid) - Black Olympic Curl Bar. 47”. 18 lbs. $69.00 (but available for $49.99 at Amazon).
  
• Hampton Fitness - International Black Oxide Curl Bar. 49”. 22 lbs. MSRP $160.
  
• Ivanko – Olympic Black Oxide E-Z Curl Bar with Collars, OBZB-20. 48”. 1 1/6” grip. 20 lbs. 60,000 psi rated. Not recommended for commercial use. Imported. Est. $170.
  
• Ivanko – Olympic Black Oxide E-Z Curl, OBZ-30. 5’ long. 30 lbs. 30 mm grip. 70,000 psi rated. Imported. Est. $160.
  
• Ivanko – Olympic Black Oxide E-Z Curl, OBZ-55. 54.5” long. 30.3 lbs. 30 mm grip. 218,000 P.S.I. rated. Recommended for commercial use. Made in USA. Est. $299.
  
• Ivanko - Black Oxide EZ Curl Bar, OBZ-40. 6 ft long. 35 lbs. 80,000 P.S.I. rated. Should fit within a cage. Imported. Est. $175.
  
• TKO - Black Olympic Curl Bar. Has company’s “TriGrip” gripping system. 47". 31mm grip. 24 lbs. MSRP $150.
  
• Troy - Olympic 47 Inch Commercial Olympic Curl Bar – Black, TOZ-47B. 47”. 17.2 lbs. 27mm grip. Est. $90- $150. (May no longer be black oxide, but black paint)
  
• Troy - Olympic 60 Inch Commercial Olympic Curl Bar – Black, TOZ-60B . 60”. 26 lbs. 30mm grip. Est. 150. (May no longer be black oxide, but black paint)

Even with the narrow range of EZ curl bars, there are objective reasons for selecting one EZ curl bar over another on the list above. Heavier lifts would require a stronger bar. Working within a cage might suggest going with a 6' bar. Those are not factors for me.

My inclination would be to go with the 48" Ivanko, which would appear superior to the Cemco and Troy bars. The reality is that I'm never going heavy and I'm never going to need that level of precision or quality. Is there anything I'm missing with the lower-priced bars that I should consider?

[cgc]

Why's it got to be black???

[RBLOCK]

I've got the Troy black oxide bar, and the coating seems to rub off enthusiastically. Ivanko's coating is probably more durable...

[fishingeek]

I've got the Ivanko OBZ-30.
It's been a great bar. I use is several times throughout the week
Another bonus is that you get the compression collars with it.
You can get it for $170 shipped from GTech.
http://www.gtechfitness.com/ivankoob...ezcurlbar.aspx
I got mine there and they are great to work with.
I also have the OB60B which is great too.

Geek

[dumb.bell]

I've got the Hampton and the 6ft Ivanko OBZ-40 (Ivanko's web page says the bar weighs 35lbs rather than 40lbs and that is consistent with my bar). They are both great bars (brass bushings), but if I had to choose 1 it would be no contest. The 6ft Ivanko is the clear winner for me, but for reasons that you said are not factors for you (use in a rack).

The utility of being able to use the Ivanko in the rack is what makes it such a great bar. The Ivanko can do everything the Hampton does, but additionally it serves as a great bar for close grip bench, reverse grip bench, and skull crushers without worrying about hitting yourself in the nose or forehead.

If I were going with a short curl bar, and cost wasn't an issue, I would definitely go with the OBZ-55 due to the superior angles (where did you see it for $160 - Ivanko's web page has it listed at $390).

Next choice would likely be one of the other Ivanko's (due to compression collars being thrown in), the Cemco, or Hampton

[cgc]

Why's it got to be black???

Eh...Funnier in my head than typed out.

[AttyGuy]

Awesome. I'm really inclined to go with the Ivanko OBZB-20. Amazing stuff. . .

[smokeater]

I bought a Troy bar a few years ago and have been very pleased with it.

[TwoHeavy]

I use the Ivanko obz-30 and think its the greatest curl bar I have ever used one thing to think about is bar thickness the obz-30 is 30mm which is one of the reasons I love it cause I got big hands and have always had trouble holding onto a regular curl bar so just something to think about

[AttyGuy]

I bought a Troy bar a few years ago and have been very pleased with it.

What pleases you about the Troy? Cost, angles, overall feel, wear?

[smokeater]

What pleases you about the Troy? Cost, angles, overall feel, wear?

I paid around $100 for it. The feel is very good. The knurling is deep enough to get a good grip but not deep enough to rip your hands apart. The angles are enough to be easy on the wrists and get a good grip. I clean it every few months, with a toothbrush, and have not noticed much wear. This is all based on about 6 working sets per week of use.

[StephanBB]

I realize I'm bumping an old thread here... Been looking for a similar answer and this thread has some really good info. Which EZ curl bar did you end up selecting.

[AttyGuy]

Stephan, this was an early post of mine and a favorite too. I went with the Ivanko OBZB-20 with the black COT1.25 collars. It was and is a sweet economy Ivanko bar. Yes, ther are hex bolts in the ends, but it is a beautiful bar, well-made and reasonably priced.

Sadly, it is no longer offered by Ivanko. I hope that Ivanko is just changing up its line-up and we'll see more economy level bars from them.

[ffrink]

Stephan, this was an early post of mine and a favorite too. I went with the Ivanko OBZB-20 with the black COT1.25 collars. It was and is a sweet economy Ivanko bar. Yes, ther are hex bolts in the ends, but it is a beautiful bar, well-made and reasonably priced.

Sadly, it is no longer offered by Ivanko. I hope that Ivanko is just changing up its line-up and we'll see more economy level bars from them.

The Ivankos are nice. I am stuck with a couple crappy old York bars......

[AttyGuy]

The Ivankos are nice. I am stuck with a couple crappy old York bars......

I have one of those too.

[fishpat86]

Why's it got to be black???

Because once you go black you never go back.

[AttyGuy]

Lol! Purely aesthetic reasons.

[Biggerfoot]

I have the 48" Ivanko bar. I bought it about 5-6 years ago and it held up very well.

Since I really like thick bar training, the thicker bar was nice.

Here is is after about one years of use:

[AttyGuy]

Sweet pic. Sweeter York plates, blobs and roundhead. Why aren't you in the York Barbell Club?

[Biggerfoot]

Sweet pic. Sweeter York plates, blobs and roundhead. Why aren't you in the York Barbell Club?

Thanks...even have the York power rack and dumbbell rack and more but no bars. I ran out of room and had to stop building my collection but am reminded everyday with my paperweights on my desk....

[AttyGuy]

Are those the brass paperweights that York used to give out to dealers, etc.?

[hulked]

Thanks...even have the York power rack and dumbbell rack and more but no bars. I ran out of room and had to stop building my collection but am reminded everyday with my paperweights on my desk....

Repped... Really nice...!!!

[Biggerfoot]

Are those the brass paperweights that York used to give out to dealers, etc.?

They are just cast and painted. However, I do believe they were promo items.

[AttyGuy]

Ivanko has the OBZB20 for sale on clearance.

[johnparker323]

Ivanko has the OBZB20 for sale on clearance.

Do you have a link as I could not find this.

[ajsat23]

Do you have a link as I could not find this.

http://ivankobarbell.com/products/ol...bar_clearance/

[matrix563]

one day i want to get a better curl bar, but for now i'm happy with what i have, some cheap curl bar lol. .

[jackbravo]

Thanks...even have the York power rack and dumbbell rack and more but no bars. I ran out of room and had to stop building my collection but am reminded everyday with my paperweights on my desk....

i got an extra one at a reasonable price if you want

[BAVE]

I have the 4 ft Troy. I can confirm it is not black oxide and the finish does not appear as durable as I expected. However, for $100 it has a great knurl and is better than the CAP bar it replaced. I dont know if I'd want to spend more than $100 on a curl bar.