Which Rogue Bar for me?

[FlaAtty]

I posted a thread earlier today about a budget barbell. I sold my hex bolt bar today for a decent price, and I need to buy a new bar asap. I was originally considering the Ethos and the CAP OB-86. However, the more research I do on the CAP (which will cost me $140), the more interested I become at simply biting the bullet on a Rogue bar now.

But the question now becomes: which one?

I looked at some of the current boneyard bars, but I'm less than impressed with the thought of a sight-unseen bar with no warranty.

What do you all think of the Echo bar vs the Rogue Bar 2.0? Is there any reason to consider the Ohio bar? I literally know nothing about barbells other than the little research I've done today.

[Domicron]

what's your budget and what sort of lifting do you do

[FlaAtty]

Budget has become $200-250. I might be able to stretch out $290-300, but I'd rather stick closer to $200-250.

Mostly bodybuilding lifts and routines, but learning to work some oly lifts into my workouts too.

[keyboardworkout]

Center knurl?

Weightlifting, powerlifting or dual marks?

Do you want a 28mm bar with whip?

Standard or aggressive knurl?

[FlaAtty]

If I knew the answers to these answers, I probably wouldn't need to ask the question of which bar. I can read and see that the bars have different features. But I'm asking which features (or which bar) should be important to me.

[Domicron]

sounds like you should just go with the Rogue 2.0 bar if you really want rogue.

unless you're very strong, i'd look again at the REP stainless bar people keep recommending to you. it's got bearings too. later you can save up for a dedicated power bar if you want

[NHAngler]

Wow, I literally went through the same thing not so long ago. I was all steamed up to get a bar ASAP and wanted either the CAP OB86 or the Rogue Echo bar. I really wanted a Rogue Ohio bar though... I bought the OB86 and just a few weeks ago picked up a used (like new) Ohio Bar. All I can say that the OB86 is a solid bar that is likely all I would ever need. However, the increase in quality in a Rogue bar is VERY apparent. I don't really need two bars but don't tell my wife or that will make the next one sound even more suspicious.

Really have to answer the question of what you will be doing for lifting and if you plan to buy more bars to support each activity or are looking for a more universal bar for all of your needs.

However, I've been really discovering the addiction of buying equipment only gets worst with more gear so be careful.

Good luck.

[NHAngler]

sounds like you should just go with the Rogue 2.0 bar if you really want rogue.

unless you're very strong, i'd look again at the REP stainless bar people keep recommending to you. it's got bearings too. later you can save up for a dedicated power bar if you want

I would also consider the Rep bar too and wished I'd known about it before buying my cap. For $99-110 and free shipping the CAP is a great value. If paying 140 or more for it and deciding between buying the Rep bar, I'd go with the Rep SS.

[turbolsxstang]

Without knowing what type of lifting you'll be primarily doing all that we can really recommend to you is a general purpose bar. In that case out of the two you have listed I'd go with the rogue 2.0 bar or any of rogues 28.5mm bars.

[RestoringTally]

If I knew the answers to these answers, I probably wouldn't need to ask the question of which bar. I can read and see that the bars have different features. But I'm asking which features (or which bar) should be important to me.

My impression from your posts is that you are relatively new to hard-core lifting.

As with many things in life, one progresses by learning and gaining experience. Although it is admirable to seek advice from others, you are asking others to pick the perfect bar for you. We cannot tell you what is best for you, because we do not know your goals, lifting style and skill level, and personal habits and preferences.

The bars available in your budget range are mostly good, but they may not be equally good for you based on your lifting goals and style. The combined knowledge of the Equipment Forum can help you avoid the bad bars, but the choice of the best bar is still up to you and will depend upon your personal goals, lifting style and skill level, etc. And without adequate experience using various bars, you will likely not be able to pick the perfect bar for you. That is fine. Much of what we learn is through trial and error, which builds our level of experience.

I am amazed at how much I have learned by acquiring and using different equipment. I have learned much through this Forum, but it was applying that learning and gaining experience that really allowed me to build the gym that suits me. Equipment I used to think was good, I would not use now. I look back and realize that my equipment purchases occurred step-wise. As I knew more and got more experience, I got higher quality equipment better suited to my needs and I appreciated that it was better for me.

My suggestion is to buy a good bar within your budget, realizing that you will likely outgrow that bar as you gain experience and skill. Your goals may also change, which may necessitate a different bar. Consider this purchase just one of many you will make as you continue lifting.

[EricAtl]

Cap ob 86 is a solid bar, but buy once cry once. your question is difficult to answer without knowing what kind of lifts you are going to do. If you are not sure, then a multipurpose bar is probably your best bet. I suggest you read the following articles even though they are a few years old.
First, a general article about the different types of bars including reviews:
http://www.garage-gyms.com/olympic-b...hopping-guide/

Then a rogue barbell comprehensive guide:
http://www.garage-gyms.com/rogue-bar...-buying-guide/

[MGM711]

Any of the many Rogue 28.5mm bars should work fine. If you don't mind bare steel, the Castro Bar is a really nice bar.

[lsi1]

normally I'd just tell you to get the opb but since you want to do some oly lifts that would most likely remove large chunks of skin from your hands. I'd suggest the chan bar next. It has iirc both power and olympic markings, a passive center knurl(its there and might stick to your shirt and since you just got a rack I assume your going to be squating), and the knurling is softer than the opb more like the standard rogue bar in my opinion. Without going to rogue's website to verify this I remember the center knurl to be a bit narrower than on most dedicated power bars so it shouldn't get into your legs on deadlifts. I prefer a center knurl for squats but it may or may not matter to you and others will tell you it doesn't matter if this were the case you can't go wrong with the rogue bar 2.0 I have the 1st generation and like it.

[rlundregan]

Here are just some random thoughts......

First, you've probably already done this, but this thread is a great place to start to learn more about bars in general:

https://forum.bodybuilding.com/showt...hp?t=172716751

Second, you mention that you will mostly be doing "static" or "power" moves (squats, bench press, etc for bodybuilding), but you'd like the option to do some "dynamic" or "Olympic" moves down the road. This is pretty common, lots of people include power cleans in their routine. Anyway, you probably want to start with either a power bar (stiffer, usually has center knurling), or maybe a hybrid bar (a little less stiff at higher weights, has power and oly markings, no center knurl).

The Rogue Ohio Hybrid bar is a good choice in my mind. It's stiff enough for most of your movements, but spinny enough to do oly moves on occasion.

Most of us have at least 2 bars. You might consider the Ohio bar at first, and then add a power bar down the road--Ohio Power bar, Texas Power Bar, etc. Or get a CAP bar now, and add a better power bar later.

The CAP bars are technically power bars, even the OB-86B. However, that bar seems like it may have been one of the first bars to really appeal to crossfitters because it was a decent choice for both power and oly moves at the time when it came out.

[Stasher1]

normally I'd just tell you to get the opb but since you want to do some oly lifts that would most likely remove large chunks of skin from your hands. I'd suggest the chan bar next. It has iirc both power and olympic markings, a passive center knurl(its there and might stick to your shirt and since you just got a rack I assume your going to be squating), and the knurling is softer than the opb more like the standard rogue bar in my opinion. Without going to rogue's website to verify this I remember the center knurl to be a bit narrower than on most dedicated power bars so it shouldn't get into your legs on deadlifts. I prefer a center knurl for squats but it may or may not matter to you and others will tell you it doesn't matter if this were the case you can't go wrong with the rogue bar 2.0 I have the 1st generation and like it.

Iirc, it's not that the center (or centre, for our Canadian friends) knurl is narrower, it's that the unknurled section of the bar is wider than normal. This allows the bar to ride up the shins without removing skin...but it can also mean that your hands won't be fully on the knurled portion of the bar if your shoulders/natural grip isn't wide enough.

I like the concept of the bar, but that was a deal breaker for me and one of the main reasons I went with the Lynx Hybrid as a general-purpose bar instead.

[FlaAtty]

sounds like you should just go with the Rogue 2.0 bar if you really want rogue.

unless you're very strong, i'd look again at the REP stainless bar people keep recommending to you. it's got bearings too. later you can save up for a dedicated power bar if you want

The thing is, with shipping, it comes out to $175 for me. Would you recommend it with that price in mind? I can get the Rogue bars for advertised price + $12 shipping. I know I may buy a better bar at the end of this year, but I am looking for something that I can use as an all purpose bar at least until December/January & then use as a secondary or "beater" bar after that time.

[Cleveland33]

The thing is, with shipping, it comes out to $175 for me. Would you recommend it with that price in mind? I can get the Rogue bars for advertised price + $12 shipping. I know I may buy a better bar at the end of this year, but I am looking for something that I can use as an all purpose bar at least until December/January & then use as a secondary or "beater" bar after that time.

I wouldn't bother buying something now that you plan to treat as a beater bar in six months. Personally - I think the bar is your most important purchase in the gym, I would spend a little extra now and get a quality bar for life. You said in another thread you are at 3 plates for deads and progressing nicely.

I would get a power bar, I think they are the most universal - either Rogue's Ohio power bar or the Texas Power Bar. Even on deads and starting Oly lifts it will treat you well. Later, when you know more about what you are interested in pursuing, you can get a dedicated bar for that area like Oly lifts or a Deadlift bar. But the power bar is almost always useful.

[FlaAtty]

I wouldn't bother buying something now that you plan to treat as a beater bar in six months. Personally - I think the bar is your most important purchase in the gym, I would spend a little extra now and get a quality bar for life. You said in another thread you are at 3 plates for deads and progressing nicely.

I would get a power bar, I think they are the most universal - either Rogue's Ohio power bar or the Texas Power Bar. Even on deads and starting Oly lifts it will treat you well. Later, when you know more about what you are interested in pursuing, you can get a dedicated bar for that area like Oly lifts or a Deadlift bar. But the power bar is almost always useful.

Thanks for the response. This helped to cement things. I'm placing an order today with the hopes that the bar will arrive before the end of the week.

[Bench905]

I would get a Rogue Boneyard bar: http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-28-5-mm-boneyard-bars

Boneyard Ohios and Ohios for $225
Some weirdo finish combos for $195

[cwcmac]

I would get a Rogue Boneyard bar: http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-28-5-mm-boneyard-bars

Boneyard Ohios and Ohios for $225
Some weirdo finish combos for $195

Stainless is also in boneyard for $295

[urbanlifter]

They have a raw Matt Chan barbell on Boneyard, seems like a decent bar for $195...

[FlaAtty]

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread. I did some additional research on the Boneyard bars, and I actually opted to for one of the Ohio Bars from the Boneyard. It kept me closer to the the $200 end of the budget. I know I am foregoing the warranty, but I am hoping that I luck out (like so many of the members here) with a good bar for a better price. In any case, I will post pics when it arrives - hopefully by Wednesday or Thursday.

[Bench905]

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this thread. I did some additional research on the boneyard bars, and I actually opted to order one of the Ohio Bars. It kept me closer to the the $200 end of the budget. I know I am foregoing the warranty, but I am hoping that I luck out (like so many of the members here) with a good bar for a (moderately) good price. In any case, I will post pics when it arrives - hopefully by Wednesday or Thursday.

I've had very positive experiences with Boneyard bars - 3 so far.

[FlaAtty]

I've had very positive experiences with Boneyard bars - 3 so far.

Glad to hear it. I'm hoping for the same. I am impressed with their shipping time tho. I received my UPS number about 2 hrs after submitting the order.