The CAP OB-86B appreciation thread

[Domicron]

In all my browsing of this forum, i believe this barbell is far and away the single most recommended piece of equipment.

the value is good: typically recommended resellers: Wayfair, Amazon.com, Walmart. recently, in [rul=http://forum.bodybuilding.com/showthread.php?t=166765041&p=1347337941&viewfull=1 #post1347337941]an unrelated thread[/url], we found out you can get quite a good deal from staples.com because they sell some of Wayfair's stock through their own site. simply grab some staples coupons and enjoy an even better deal.

some reading:
cgc's Initial review (2010)

GarageIron's review (2012)

59phinz's rebuild thread (2014)

but really i'm making this thread (because i'm bored, but also because) i'm curious to see just how many people actually own this bar.

if you own one, chime in and post about other CAP ob-86b related anecdotes and trivia.

[Wildtim]

I've got one, use it for everything. No trivia though.

[Icey101]

It was the first decent bar I bought, but I almost never use it now. It is to good for me to want to beat it up doing rack pulls off pins, but it is not as nice as my Rogue Ohio bar.

[rlundregan]

It was the first decent bar I bought, but I almost never use it now. It is to good for me to want to beat it up doing rack pulls off pins, but it is not as nice as my Rogue Ohio bar.

Same here. I was happy with mine, but I almost never used it because I happened across an Ivanko OB-20KG soon after I got the CAP. My stepson seems to like the knurling on the CAP better, though.

[Domicron]

I've got one. No trivia though.

no trivia needed, just think it might be fun to kind of get a count of how many people actually have one

It was the first decent bar I bought, but I almost never use it now. It is to good for me to want to beat it up doing rack pulls off pins, but it is not as nice as my Rogue Ohio bar.

Same here. I was happy with mine, but I almost never used it because I happened across an Ivanko OB-20KG soon after I got the CAP. My stepson seems to like the knurling on the CAP better, though.

it's now my only bar (my chrome beater was just hanging on the wall anyway til i sold it). later i hope to have an excuse to upgrade, but honestly it's going to do me just fine for a long time. if i upgrade to a better bar, it won't be because this bar isn't strong enough, that's for sure...

[Stasher1]

no trivia needed, just think it might be fun to kind of get a count of how many people actually have one...

I had one for quite a while but recently sold it and replaced it with a nicer bar, but I'm really not sure why. It was a great bar and I really had no complaints.

[Domicron]

I had one for quite a while but recently sold it and replaced it with a nicer bar, but I'm really not sure why. It was a great bar and I really had no complaints.

well, i guess SOMEONE is too cool to own a poverty bar...

btw nice to see you're liking that lynx bar, i wish i lived close to an equipment manufacturer and could just pick up equipment new to save on shipping...

[Stasher1]

well, i guess SOMEONE is too cool to own a poverty bar...

btw nice to see you're liking that lynx bar, i wish i lived close to an equipment manufacturer and could just pick up equipment new to save on shipping...

LMAO, sometimes an upgrade/new toy is necessary to keep things interesting.

My post wasn't meant to disparage the CAP. The 0B-86B is like the Camry of oly bars. Solid, reliable choice that'll last most folks for many years...but it's definitely lacking the "oooh-factor" of some of the more expensive brands. Not that the Lynx is some sort of high-end bar, or anything...

[845ToastT]

I had one. Originally bought it because the high school used them and I was amazed that they were all straight (they had crappy ones too that were all bent). It was my first decent bar and i really did like it. Somehow I ended up bending it, and I just sold it to the gym down the street (all their bars are bent anyways) and just ordered a REP Excalibur in manganese finish yesterday. Can't wait to get it. I have also since then acquired a Capps Texas power bar. But the ob86b had really good fine knurl and a good finish on the shaft that I really liked. I did not like the chrome flakes that would come off the sleeves tho. It's also a really whippy bar (great for pulls).

[Domicron]

LMAO, sometimes an upgrade/new toy is necessary to keep things interesting.

My post wasn't meant to disparage the CAP. The 0B-86B is like the Camry of oly bars. Solid, reliable choice that'll last most folks for many years...but it's definitely lacking the "oooh-factor" of some of the more expensive brands. Not that the Lynx is some sort of high-end bar, or anything...

haha i know, i'm just giving you ****

I had one. Originally bought it because the high school used them and I was amazed that they were all straight (they had crappy ones too that were all bent). It was my first decent bar and i really did like it. Somehow I ended up bending it, and I just sold it to the gym down the street (all their bars are bent anyways) and just ordered a REP Excalibur in manganese finish yesterday. Can't wait to get it. I have also since then acquired a Capps Texas power bar. But the ob86b had really good fine knurl and a good finish on the shaft that I really liked. I did not like the chrome flakes that would come off the sleeves tho. It's also a really whippy bar (great for pulls).

i haven't had the pleasure of wrapping my hands around some nicer shafts (wait...) but i really like the knurling on this bar. i have small hands, so the larger diameter chrome bars, plus their smoother finish just weren't working for me without gloves or straps.

i just wish the knurling extended a little further into the center smooth area so i could get a nice grip on my sumo deadlifts...i need to start chalking now for my 'heavier' lifts (i'm weak as ****)

[845ToastT]

i haven't had the pleasure of wrapping my hands around some nicer shafts (wait...) but i really like the knurling on this bar. i have small hands, so the larger diameter chrome bars, plus their smoother finish just weren't working for me without gloves or straps.

i just wish the knurling extended a little further into the center smooth area so i could get a nice grip on my sumo deadlifts...i need to start chalking now for my 'heavier' lifts (i'm weak as ****)

Sounds like you'd appreciate an Ivanko bar. The knurl extends a bit farther in. Never used an OB-20kg, but the OB-84 is a great bar for sumo deads. Nice sharp knurl that extends close in the center, with a good bit of whip. The problem is it scrapes the s**t out of my shins when conventional pulling, but I use my old knee sleeves as guards now. I can barely get my hands on the knurl when sumo pulling a TPB which I believe has 18" of smooth area in the center. If I remember right, the OB-86b has 17" smooth area in the center.

[Domicron]

thanks. a quick google search shows they're not in production anymore. that means the chances of me getting ahold of one is about nil.

btw i'm on recharge, but i will get around to repping everyone

[Mech6]

I am poverty. I have 2.

[Seatard]

The OB-86B is my only bar and got it based on the recommendation of the forum. I couldn't imagine a knurl or finish I would prefer over this. I have slowly learned over time not to touch the sleeves. It's the kind of thing that I feel like I should buy another one now to keep in the closet because someday Cap is going to fuk it up by "improving" it and the originals will double in price.

[Domicron]

I am poverty. I have 2.

The OB-86B is my only bar and got it based on the recommendation of the forum. I couldn't imagine a knurl or finish I would prefer over this. I have slowly learned over time not to touch the sleeves. It's the kind of thing that I feel like I should buy another one now to keep in the closet because someday Cap is going to fuk it up by "improving" it and the originals will double in price.

i want to buy a 2nd one, but there's more i'd need to spend my money on first...

[845ToastT]

The OB-86B is my only bar and got it based on the recommendation of the forum. I couldn't imagine a knurl or finish I would prefer over this. I have slowly learned over time not to touch the sleeves. It's the kind of thing that I feel like I should buy another one now to keep in the closet because someday Cap is going to fuk it up by "improving" it and the originals will double in price.

Yea, I had a REALLY hard time justifying paying over 2x as much for the Excalibur rather than just getting a new ob86b. What really made up my mind was the lifetime warrenty and the fact that I wanted something different. Part of me was also afraid that I was going to bend it again with no warrenty.

[djslik916]

Bought mine thanks to this forum and it's my dedicated Olympic bar. I won't upgrade till it breaks or until I feel it hinders my lifts. I love this bar SRS!!!

[dragon360]

Have one myself. Still use it all the time. Really like the knurl and grip.

[RestoringTally]

I have a Cap OB-86B. I retired it since I now have two split-sleeve York bars that I really like. I plan on keeping the Cap bar. You can never have too many bars.

[djslik916]

The only thing I have noticed is that if I crank down too hard with Ivanko/ELEIKO compression collars the spin is affected. I'm not sure if it means the sleeves are thin or if it's normal for most bars.

[morebarbell]

I don't have the CAP OB-86B but I thought I would comment about the knurl. I haven't seen another bar with similar knurl. I like that CAP increased the peaks per inch rather than use partially formed peaks to decrease the aggressiveness. I wish other companies would do the same but it's probably cheaper just to use the same tooling and change the depth.

Rogue Power Bar (non Ohio)


Rogue OHIO Power Bar


Texas Power Bar (pre 2013?)


Ivanko 20KG (unknown age)


$125 Chinese-made CAP OB-86B

The limited run of the raw Ivanko stainless bar MIGHT be similar but I'm not sure since I haven't seen the bar except in photos and the photos have been blurry.

[swimmer32]

just ordered a REP Excalibur in manganese finish yesterday.

I bought a used Cap OB-86B a year or two ago. It's a good bar - leaps and bounds better than the basic 45lb bars that come with weight sets. To this day it's still probably the best knurling on a bar that I've tried. The only thing I didn't like were the grooves on the sleeves. Just a little too deep for my tastes. I ended up selling it and replacing it with the Rep Fitness Excalibur in manganese. It's a great bar and better all around than the Cap, but at a little higher price point.

[maltralson]

My ob86b is my deadlift bar, it gets put down hard weekly with iron plates and almost 2 years later is in great shape still.

[Domicron]

i racked it poorly one night and slipped from one of the pegs and got a nice long scratch on the finish it hasn't rusted and there's no real damage...just makes me a little sad lol.

one thing about this bar that makes me love it is hearing people who own much more expensive and higher quality bars mention how nice the knurling is.

[845ToastT]

I bought a used Cap OB-86B a year or two ago. It's a good bar - leaps and bounds better than the basic 45lb bars that come with weight sets. To this day it's still probably the best knurling on a bar that I've tried. The only thing I didn't like were the grooves on the sleeves. Just a little too deep for my tastes. I ended up selling it and replacing it with the Rep Fitness Excalibur in manganese. It's a great bar and better all around than the Cap, but at a little higher price point.

That's good to hear. I'm glad I ordered one because it's already out of stock again. I guess others really wanted it bad too. I thought it would never come back in stock because REP fitness told me it was being "replaced" with the new gladiator bar. I guess this was just a misinterpretation. I didn't want a chrome bar, so the gladiator was out. My second choice was Rogue Ohio black oxide. I'm sure I'd be happy with that or the excalibur.

[bobcat255]

I own the OB-86 based on recommendation and reviews here. It's great for what it is and obviously a good deal for the price. There's a reason it's the most recommended bar on the forum.

If I had a single complaint, it would be that the sleeves are ribbed. It just feels like it's more wear on the paint on the inside of my plates.

[snova031]

I am poverty. I have 2.

I'm in this crew. Have one that stays inside the rack for bench/squats, and another that I keep outside the rack for other stuff.

[JB426]

I've had one for about two years now. It really is a great bar, especially when you factor in the price. I just saw Amazon has it for $125 shipped. Thanks to all who recommended this bar way back when.

[judgecrandall]

I bought a used Cap OB-86B a year or two ago. It's a good bar - leaps and bounds better than the basic 45lb bars that come with weight sets. To this day it's still probably the best knurling on a bar that I've tried. The only thing I didn't like were the grooves on the sleeves. Just a little too deep for my tastes. I ended up selling it and replacing it with the Rep Fitness Excalibur in manganese. It's a great bar and better all around than the Cap, but at a little higher price point.

I own the OB-86 based on recommendation and reviews here. It's great for what it is and obviously a good deal for the price. There's a reason it's the most recommended bar on the forum.

If I had a single complaint, it would be that the sleeves are ribbed. It just feels like it's more wear on the paint on the inside of my plates.

+1, the sleeves are my only complaint. Definitely not ribbed for my pleasure. I would definitely buy another if there was a version with smooth sleeves.

[JayDigital]

Been wanting a bar I can dedicate to my deadlifting platform. You guys think the OB-86B would be good for this purpose?