Rogue Barbell Club

[MajorTendonitis]

Cerakote has much less grip than all the other finishes.

Totally agree . The bar on top is cerakote , and has very smooth knurling , but it’s for show anyways and never gets used .
The next one down is the E-coat , and has a little more of a knurled feeling to it .
The third one down is the crown jewel imo , power bar with stainless sleeves and aggressive knurling

[radrd]

Totally agree . The bar on top is cerakote , and has very smooth knurling , but it’s for show anyways and never gets used .
The next one down is the E-coat , and has a little more of a knurled feeling to it .
The third one down is the crown jewel imo , power bar with stainless sleeves and aggressive knurling

Which Rogue bar is that in orange cerakote?

[urbanlifter]

Cerakote has much less grip than all the other finishes.

Agree, the Cerakote Ohio Power Bars I used at the gym felt almost passive compared to the stainless version.

[ncsuLuke]

I wouldn't buy another cerakote bar after getting my cerakote Texas Deadlift Bar. It just feels dull and I'd much rather have just dealt with the rust/maintenance of bare steel if I did it again.

[radrd]

Agree, the Cerakote Ohio Power Bars I used at the gym felt almost passive compared to the stainless version.

Would you say the cerakote was slick or the knurl just filled in? I've never touched a cerakote bar or an OPB fyi.

[urbanlifter]

Would you say the cerakote was slick or the knurl just filled in? I've never touched a cerakote bar or an OPB fyi.

Wouldn't say it felt slick, but I think it filled in the knurling and made it feel pretty passive. On a bright note, my Rogue plates just shipped today and they should be here tomorrow! Woohoo! I'm only 4 hours from Detroit so I guess that makes sense.

[Sboarder1964]

Decided to convert my RML-490 to a six post rack but as I've mentioned before I hate the 24" crossmembers Rogue uses so I ordered the 17" ones that come with their newer half rack. Only issue is those are not powder coat black and only offered in medium gloss black. I don't really care because I'm not trying to win a best looking gym competition and it's easier than getting the others cut. $485 before shipping and tax, not bad considering the price difference between the RML-490 and 690 is $630.

Do you recall the price they gave for the 17" crossmembers?

[radrd]

Coop's unboxing vid of the 3x Aggro is up. Kinda entertaining. Aesthetically, it's a sweet bar with boring end caps. Looks like it's as sharp as promised or Coop is a huge wimp. Probably both. It's a hard pass for me. The 2x Aggro is interesting but I bet it's about the same as Rep Deep Knurl or Vulcan Absolute SS. Could be good though if you want an all stainless option made in US. He doesn't have the 2x or it's hiding off camera.

[MGM711]

Coop's unboxing vid of the 3x Aggro is up. Kinda entertaining. Aesthetically, it's a sweet bar with boring end caps. Looks like it's as sharp as promised or Coop is a huge wimp. Probably both. It's a hard pass for me. The 2x Aggro is interesting but I bet it's about the same as Rep Deep Knurl or Vulcan Absolute SS. Could be good though if you want an all stainless option made in US. He doesn't have the 2x or it's hiding off camera.

I bet the 2X Aggro is on par with the KS PB and REP PB EX, and with the ass SS option, could be a nice bar.

[Deep-Voiced-One]

Rogue DD/Olympic Plate 5 lbers finally in stock now, I went ahead and ordered 2 pairs of them to get closer on completing my Rogue DD suits.

[thejosef]

Coop's unboxing vid of the 3x Aggro is up. Kinda entertaining. Aesthetically, it's a sweet bar with boring end caps. Looks like it's as sharp as promised or Coop is a huge wimp. Probably both. It's a hard pass for me. The 2x Aggro is interesting but I bet it's about the same as Rep Deep Knurl or Vulcan Absolute SS. Could be good though if you want an all stainless option made in US. He doesn't have the 2x or it's hiding off camera.

The 3X is really too sharp. I just see no use case where it would be desirable. The build quality and all stainless build is pretty sweet, but I definitely regret buying this bar. Ah well. Ya win some, ya lose some.

[radrd]

The 3X is really too sharp. I just see no use case where it would be desirable. The build quality and all stainless build is pretty sweet, but I definitely regret buying this bar. Ah well. Ya win some, ya lose some.

It's tough when a purchase doesn't work out the way you hoped. Thanks for sharing your impressions to help others avoid it or at least be ready. I can see how it would be a no-go for pressing, but you might pull with it for a bit to see if you get used to it. As long as it doesn't draw blood you might start to like it. Who knows.

[urbanlifter]

The 3X is really too sharp. I just see no use case where it would be desirable. The build quality and all stainless build is pretty sweet, but I definitely regret buying this bar. Ah well. Ya win some, ya lose some.

Well, if I were in your situation I'd probably knock the knurl down myself. I see Rogue specifically calls out no returns for being too sharp on their site, so I'm guessing this was anticipated. Grab a file and gently rub it over the knurling to take the tip down or something, maybe Mech might have a good suggestion for what tool to use?

[thejosef]

Well, if I were in your situation I'd probably knock the knurl down myself. I see Rogue specifically calls out no returns for being too sharp on their site, so I'm guessing this was anticipated. Grab a file and gently rub it over the knurling to take the tip down or something, maybe Mech might have a good suggestion for what tool to use?

I actually have thought about that, but I'm not sure how to make it consistent. I'm gonna think about that.. my dad is a Very skilled guy (builds hot rods) and has a lot of machining tools so I may toss the idea at him.

I mean, the bar is usable, it's just.. not necessary for a bar to ever be this aggressive. If you bench press with it, your hands show hundreds of little points stabbed into your skin for a few minutes. Lol. The all stainless build with the Rogue cerakote on the smooth sections looks Really, really, nice I must say. I'll probably just keep it and get used to it rather than take a massive loss on Marketplace. It has made my American Barbell bars feel like they have NO knurling. Haha.

[MajorTendonitis]

Which Rogue bar is that in orange cerakote?

[radrd]

I actually have thought about that, but I'm not sure how to make it consistent. I'm gonna think about that.. my dad is a Very skilled guy (builds hot rods) and has a lot of machining tools so I may toss the idea at him.

I mean, the bar is usable, it's just.. not necessary for a bar to ever be this aggressive. If you bench press with it, your hands show hundreds of little points stabbed into your skin for a few minutes. Lol. The all stainless build with the Rogue cerakote on the smooth sections looks Really, really, nice I must say. I'll probably just keep it and get used to it rather than take a massive loss on Marketplace. It has made my American Barbell bars feel like they have NO knurling. Haha.

I wonder if Rogue would be willing to cerakote the rest of the shaft for you? Even if they would, it would no doubt cost a bit and there's no guarantee that would be enough to make it usable.

[Mech6]

Well, if I were in your situation I'd probably knock the knurl down myself. I see Rogue specifically calls out no returns for being too sharp on their site, so I'm guessing this was anticipated. Grab a file and gently rub it over the knurling to take the tip down or something, maybe Mech might have a good suggestion for what tool to use?

Take bar apart and bring shaft to machinist with a lathe. Have them cut 0.020" or so off the diameter where there's knurling. Test grip and adjust if more is needed.

[GamecockLifter]

Or just sell it and buy something you like?

[Sboarder1964]

I'll probably just keep it and get used to it rather than take a massive loss on Marketplace.

Bro, what are you talking about? You can EASILY resell this thing for 90%-100% of it's value. Did you think this was a Titan bar?

[thejosef]

Bro, what are you talking about? You can EASILY resell this thing for 90%-100% of it's value. Did you think this was a Titan bar?

It's weird around here right now (Louisiana). Ever since the great home gym shortage in 2020, it's like the market has totally dried up here.. like bad. I used to be able to sell anything with "Rogue" on it in less than 48 hours. I'm not sure if Marketplace has changed something in how people find items or what, but I barely get responses any more. I've had it listed for a week just to test the market and I've gotten one $300 offer. I'll just learn to love it rather than take a beating that bad on it.

[urbanlifter]

Take bar apart and bring shaft to machinist with a lathe. Have them cut 0.020" or so off the diameter where there's knurling. Test grip and adjust if more is needed.

Good advice there! I'll probably have to figure out something with my Legend rack soon. Just pulled the trigger on Rogue's new Mono's, so I need some clean holes drilled through the sides. Why I put myself in these situations, I'll never know.....

[urbanlifter]

Bro, what are you talking about? You can EASILY resell this thing for 90%-100% of it's value. Did you think this was a Titan bar?

Highly doubt that, it's a specialized piece and those don't move quickly for general lifting. It might carry the Rogue badge which has nice resell, but after someone lays hands on the shaft they may walk away. Like my Texas Deadlift bar, the moment I felt the knurling was the moment I knew it wasn't going to stay.

[Mech6]

Good advice there! I'll probably have to figure out something with my Legend rack soon. Just pulled the trigger on Rogue's new Mono's, so I need some clean holes drilled through the sides. Why I put myself in these situations, I'll never know.....

1. measure and drill pilot holes (small, 5/32" as an example) on each side of upright
2. go rent magnetic drill. You could try it by hand but you're only doing this once, do it right.
3. use this kind of hole cutter to make actual 1-1/8" hole.

[urbanlifter]

1. measure and spot-drill holes (small, 3/16" as an example) on each side of upright
2. go rent magnetic drill. You could try it by hand but you're only doing this once, do it right.
3. use this kind of hole cutter to make actual 1-1/8" hole.

Awesome, thank you for that!

[thejosef]

Good advice there! I'll probably have to figure out something with my Legend rack soon. Just pulled the trigger on Rogue's new Mono's, so I need some clean holes drilled through the sides. Why I put myself in these situations, I'll never know.....

Bro, those new Rogue Mono's look nice. Let us know how you like them!

[thejosef]

Or just sell it and buy something you like?

You bought the 2X or 3X Aggro yet bud (or planning to)? I'd love to hear your thoughts with all the bars you've tested.

[GamecockLifter]

You bought the 2X or 3X Aggro yet bud (or planning to)? I'd love to hear your thoughts with all the bars you've tested.

I can’t decide! I think if I get one it will be the Aggro 2x. Just picked up a TPB and got the new Gymway aggressive PB. Might as well get the Aggro lol.

[urbanlifter]

I can’t decide! I think if I get one it will be the Aggro 2x. Just picked up a TPB and got the new Gymway aggressive PB. Might as well get the Aggro lol.

Which TPB did you get, bare or black zinc?

[GamecockLifter]

Which TPB did you get, bare or black zinc?

Neither haha. White cerakote and blue cerakote. Keeping the white, giving the blue away.

[urbanlifter]

Neither haha. White cerakote and blue cerakote. Keeping the white, giving the blue away.

What!? Haha. After that AB Mammoth bar I've pretty much sworn off cerakote, fills in the knurling to much and makes things feel passive.