Olympic bar recommendation, HELP!

[ubernoob]

Can someone recommend a good olympic bar that is fairly accurate for it's weight (44-45lbs). I do not plan on putting any more than 300 lbs max on the bar. I also want it to be around $200 for my budget but may be willing to spend a little more for a quality bar. Reps for recommendations!

[SuperBison]

i know it's little higher than what you want to pay but this one was linked a couple days ago:
http://www.pendlay.com/45lb-Pendlay-...le_p_1092.html
it's 315$ and it seems to have really good review

There is also something like this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Body-Solid-Bla.../dp/B002ZU85NC
it's black and only 100$, the review seems good

[daniel327]

This Cap bar is highly recommended:

http://www.wayfair.com/Cap-Barbell-S...-CBB1047.html#

Here's a review: http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showth...9969623&page=1

[ubernoob]

Thanks and repped above. I should also add I would like for the bar I have a center groove for squatting to prevent slipping.

[cmarti063]

Thanks and repped above. I should also add I would like for the bar I have a center groove for squatting to prevent slipping.

The knurling in the middle of the bar doesn't really prevent the bar from slipping. Proper form will, though - many people squat heavy weight with bars that lack the center knurl. Also, for your budget, the ob-86b is probably your best bet. Lots of us have that bar, I like it on my overhead presses, but it works well for pretty much all the lifts.

[ubernoob]

How is the rogue bar as I have heard many people say this is a great bar that you have for a lifetime.

[KJ4GR]

Go to Walmart.com and search OB-86PB, hit site to store for shipping and it should be about $172 total after tax. The bar does not have center knurl but I use some athletic sport tape in the center and that keeps it from slipping on me. If you must have the center knurl then you would need the OB-86PBCK but is about $50 more (Walmart does not sell the PBCK model).

The OB-86B is 1000lb and the OB-86PB is 1500lb. I was willing to pay the $25 difference for the PB or the B for the extra 500lb limit. Overkill but piece of mind!

[cmarti063]

How is the rogue bar as I have heard many people say this is a great bar that you have for a lifetime.

They had a few qc issues for a bit on a few of their bars but it looks like that all got sorted out. Their customer service is excellent, and their bars are good for their price. I haven't heard anything bad outside of that short period of time. I'm getting my wife a Bella bar when she delivers our baby. She has the 25mm Rogue training bar (5kg) currently, and it was much nicer than I expected for a training bar.

[md99]

Another vote for the OB-86B or OB-86PB. I have the OB-86PB and really like it. If I were buying one new, though, I would probably get the 86B. I doubt you'll beat it for the price.

[Detrus]

Rogue Ohio bar is probably a better bet than the Rogue original. Changed knurling pattern, black oxide option which you should take because that's the best feel.

But with the CAP OB86 being cheaper that's probably the way to go. Unless you have some particular knurl preferences.

[ubernoob]

I do prefer to have a center knurl. My current bar does not have it and it tends to slip.

[Cleveland33]

I do prefer to have a center knurl. My current bar does not have it and it tends to slip.

My first several bars didn't have a center knurl, and when I got one that did I noticed a difference.

[TruKnight]

get the cap bar op. I got one based on the opinions I read here and its an amazing bar quality for the $.

[ProtienandIron]

If I was in the States, I would give serious consideration to the rogue power bar; http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-power-bar.php ...although its just a bit beyond your budget. I personally prefer to support my own countries industry, so Rogue would be one of my main choices.

[blindedge]

I was just in your shoes a couple days ago and ordered my first real bar. Check out rouge fitness's closeout section. They have a rouge power bar for a $20 discount of minor paint blemishes and they also have a ohio bar for $240 (originally $295). i ended up going with the ohio bar and couldnt be happier

w()w.roguefitness.com/closeout.php

[Cj512]

Cap OB86-b great bar for the money.

[thejosef]

If I was in the States, I would give serious consideration to the rogue power bar; http://www.roguefitness.com/rogue-power-bar.php ...although its just a bit beyond your budget. I personally prefer to support my own countries industry, so Rogue would be one of my main choices.

Well said. I totally agree.

Also, check out the B&R bar. It's bare metal, so it requires some maintenance, but the feel of the knurling is unmatched.
http://www.roguefitness.com/burgener...-men-s-bar.php

[mliebs]

I purchased the cap OB-86B a couple of weeks ago and I'm very impressed with the quality for the price. When I bought my power rack they sold me the bar for $120 so I couldn't pass it up.

[skrebs01]

Find a nice used York Olympic split sleeve bar on cragslist or at a used store. Even if they are a little rusted they clean up easy. I have picked up several under $50. Those are more then enough bar for most people.

[cmarti063]

Find a nice used York Olympic split sleeve bar on cragslist or at a used store. Even if they are a little rusted they clean up easy. I have picked up several under $50. Those are more then enough bar for most people.

I have yet to find an old York bar in my market I've wanted one since I put my home gym together.

[slimneverdies]

I have yet to find an old York bar in my market I've wanted one since I put my home gym together.

I've searched for about two years with no luck...

[matrix563]

I've searched for about two years with no luck...

I found one for 80, but the guy said he was just gonna keep it. I didn't even give him an offer I just asked if he still had it! o_O

[Cleveland33]

I found one for 80, but the guy said he was just gonna keep it. I didn't even give him an offer I just asked if he still had it! o_O

a lot of times people don't know what they have in the old bars. The Yorks are easily identifiable due to the split sleeve. I've seen them posted for cheap, then guys change their minds or jack the asking price. I assume they tell a potential buyer that someone else is emailed first and that person tells them what the bar is actually worth.

You have to be quick too - people nab them fast at $150 and under - $150-$200 usually stays up a couple days.

[jackbravo]

a lot of times people don't know what they have in the old bars. The Yorks are easily identifiable due to the split sleeve. I've seen them posted for cheap, then guys change their minds or jack the asking price. I assume they tell a potential buyer that someone else is emailed first and that person tells them what the bar is actually worth.

You have to be quick too - people nab them fast at $150 and under - $150-$200 usually stays up a couple days.

In my market, they don't seem to go until they hit 100

[judgecrandall]

Are used York bars primarily found on the east coast/Northeast? I haven't really seen them at all in CA, and I've been looking at both the LA and SF Craigslists for awhile now.

But as others have suggested, I'd go with the Cap OB86B from Wayfair for ~125 shipped. Despite the lack of center knurl, I've yet to have an issue with slippage while squatting over 300lbs. I believe the black oxide coating provides more grip than a standard chrome bar. Also, you can always add some sort of padding or grip tape to supplement the grip, or even use chalk. One benefit of no center knurling is not ripping up your shins/legs when you're deadlifting.

FWIW, it seems like those who have used the OB86B and the OB86PB strongly prefer the OB86B. I forget the exact reasons off the top of my head, but the OB86B is about as universally recommended as anything gets on this forum, so you really can't go wrong with it. You can always get additional bars later on, but I've used my OB86B for everything and been fine.

[ubernoob]

I actually may be willing to pay more for the pendlay bar, read the reviews and overall impressed with the quality for 319 not including shipping. Just wondering if I should go this route or buy a rogue bar instead. Although those who have both favor the pendlay bar.

[GarageIron]

What type of lifting are you doing? What type of plates do you have?

The Rogue power bar is the only bar in the Rogue bar line up that has a center knurl that I know of (aside from the Westside bars). I don't think Rogue bars are worth what they charge. If they were $200 bars, Id say they are a good value. I haven't seen the Ohio bar in person, but its a 150KPSI steel bar... decent steel strength but pretty low by today's standards. Sorinex has this problem also with high priced bars made of mediocre materials. York uses this steel on their mid range ($150-200) international bars. Even Again Faster makes a 185K crossfit bar for $200.

The Pendlay is beautiful and much better steel quality (190KPSI?) but it is an Olympic weightlifting bar. Very soft knurl, has only oly weightlifting knurl marks and is not very compatible with loose fitting steel plates. If you are an olympic weightlifter or crossfitter with bumpers it is a fantastic choice.

The B&R mentioned above gets overlooked regularly due to some early production and quality problems. There are several negative reviews on this bar floating around out there (80% of them written by F0rbidden from this site who got a bad bar. I bought it from him later and had it refurbished). It is an amazing barbell (steel is around 200KPSI). I would not hesitate to buy this as a general purpose bar.

Another consideration could be the Rep Fitness Excaliber. The first edition of the bar had great reviews but the consensus was the knurl was a bit soft. There is a new version with a more aggressive knurl about to be released but I do not know the details. I believe it is a 215KPSI (Eleiko grade steel) bar.

I do also have a 80's York power bar that is awesome. If you have the means, I highly recommend it.

[AttyGuy]

Find a nice used York Olympic split sleeve bar on cragslist or at a used store. Even if they are a little rusted they clean up easy. I have picked up several under $50. Those are more then enough bar for most people.

I have yet to find an old York bar in my market I've wanted one since I put my home gym together.

I have three in my home gym and I have sold several more. . .

[GarageIron]

I have three in my home gym and I have sold several more. . .

Feel like selling another one?

[ubernoob]

I am using it mainly for deadlifts, squats, bench, I would say standard lifting. I do not plan to ever lift more than 300 as I am more of a runner and I know this will help me build a better core and more efficient runner. From what I read on bars the right one will help minimize injuries through having a quality bar absorb some of the shock. I would like sleeves that are not grooved. I have urethane ivankos and urethane plates from power fitness. I would be willing to pay more for a good quality bar but prefer not to exceed $350.