30 mm barbell

[angrypolack]

Anyone know of any high quality 30 mm barbell with aggressive knurling? I prefer the thicker diameter for bench pressing.

[urbanlifter]

Buddy Capps Texas Bench bar would be my choice if I wanted a 30MM Barbell for pressing.

[radrd]

Buddy Capps Texas Bench bar would be my choice if I wanted a 30MM Barbell for pressing.

I wonder if the difference in feel between 30 mm and a standard 29 mm power bar is enough to justify the investment. Seems like a Rogue squat bar with stainless shaft, 32 mm diameter, and similar length at 95" would make more sense for similar money?

Another one to consider at a lower price is Wright. They don't get much attention but I recall someone posting positive impressions here. I'm not a fan of cerakote because it fills in knurl but it would be fine for pressing.

https://wright-equipment.com/product...-power-barbell

[angrypolack]

Anyone have experience pressing with a squat bar? Did they extra length throw them off? I noticed the Texas bench bar is also a squat bar length.

[urbanlifter]

Anyone have experience pressing with a squat bar? Did they extra length throw them off? I noticed the Texas bench bar is also a squat bar length.

Yes, I owned the Texas Squat bar for a while and gave it a go with pressing. The balance wasn't bad but surprisingly enough I didn't like the 32MM thickness for pressing. Felt like I couldn't get a really good 'squeeze' on the bar, so the 2MM actually made a difference for me (negatively). In the past I've had a 30MM York bar and didn't have issues with pressing, only really difference I felt between that and a 29MM Barbell was it was considerably stiffer when leading heavy weight. My 29MM REP PowerBar had some flex while squatting, but that dang York bar didn't seem to budge.

[angrypolack]

Yes, I owned the Texas Squat bar for a while and gave it a go with pressing. The balance wasn't bad but surprisingly enough I didn't like the 32MM thickness for pressing. Felt like I couldn't get a really good 'squeeze' on the bar, so the 2MM actually made a difference for me (negatively). In the past I've had a 30MM York bar and didn't have issues with pressing, only really difference I felt between that and a 29MM Barbell was it was considerably stiffer when leading heavy weight. My 29MM REP PowerBar had some flex while squatting, but that dang York bar didn't seem to budge.

Cool. If the price ever comes down on the Texas bench bar I'll have to get one. I love the Texas power bar knurling.

[radrd]

I might get the Rogue Squat Bar for pressing. I think I'd like the 32 mm diameter and the additional space between collars would be welcome. I'm hoping it shows up in the Boneyard or Matte Black Nov sale.

[sera310]

I wonder if the difference in feel between 30 mm and a standard 29 mm power bar is enough to justify the investment. Seems like a Rogue squat bar with stainless shaft, 32 mm diameter, and similar length at 95" would make more sense for similar money?

Another one to consider at a lower price is Wright. They don't get much attention but I recall someone posting positive impressions here. I'm not a fan of cerakote because it fills in knurl but it would be fine for pressing.

https://wright-equipment.com/product...-power-barbell

I have 1 of these & use it for all pressing movements. the extra diameter makes a big difference to me. the quality is great and so was the price.

[angrypolack]

I have 1 of these & use it for all pressing movements. the extra diameter makes a big difference to me. the quality is great and so was the price.

How aggressive is the knurling on that?

[urbanlifter]

Seems like a Rogue squat bar with stainless shaft, 32 mm diameter, and similar length at 95" would make more sense for similar money?

Honestly, after my experience with the bare steel Texas Power Bar I'd just stick with Buddy Capps for the better knurling at $390 (Squat Bar). But maybe in a garage gym environment you might want something different, still haven't seen surface rust on my Buddy Capps yet.

[angrypolack]

Honestly, after my experience with the bare steel Texas Power Bar I'd just stick with Buddy Capps for the better knurling at $390 (Squat Bar). But maybe in a garage gym environment you might want something different, still haven't seen surface rust on my Buddy Capps yet.

I too have a bare steel Texas power bar. Never once oiled it and have no rust. It's definitely a more aggressive knurling than the Ohio power bar if you like that.

[radrd]

Honestly, after my experience with the bare steel Texas Power Bar I'd just stick with Buddy Capps for the better knurling at $390 (Squat Bar). But maybe in a garage gym environment you might want something different, still haven't seen surface rust on my Buddy Capps yet.

So far I'm a fan of Rogue's knurling and I like that the Rogue Squat Bar uniquely has a fully knurled shaft. Even if I didn't love it for pressing, I think I'd just like to have it in my collection for variety. Texas Bench Bar looks sweet too though. Maybe I'll get both at some point.

[keyboardworkout]

York has 30mm and 32mm bars made in Canada.

https://yorkbarbell.com/product-cate...ck-oxide-bars/



York 7′ Black Oxide Bar, 30mm




York Barbell 7′ Black Oxide Bar, 32mm

[radrd]

York has 30mm and 32mm bars made in Canada.

https://yorkbarbell.com/product-cate...ck-oxide-bars/



York 7′ Black Oxide Bar, 30mm




York Barbell 7′ Black Oxide Bar, 32mm

For some reason, I thought they outsourced to China these days. Good to see North American made. Good prices too. Might be contenders for OP. One reason I'm interested in a squat or bench bar is so I can get more bar between the collars. My 49" width rack, standard width bar, and roller jcups are an annoying combo for ohp. BP is actually fine.

[urbanlifter]

Those are the York bars I had previously, it was the 32121 North American barbell but back when I bought it they had center knurling (which I prefer). Great barbell, incredibly stiff and even though the knurling was considered 'Medium' the pattern made it feel slightly aggressive. They were faux split sleeve though, which some might not like....

[sera310]

How aggressive is the knurling on that?

2 caveats: Mine has cerakote, which i am sure fills it in some; and I don't consider myself an expert on barbells. Disclaimers made, I'd say it is mild-to-moderate; perfectly fine for pressing movements, maybe not enough for pulls--but it's too thick for pulling movements anyway (for me).

[sera310]

Honestly, after my experience with the bare steel Texas Power Bar I'd just stick with Buddy Capps for the better knurling at $390 (Squat Bar). But maybe in a garage gym environment you might want something different, still haven't seen surface rust on my Buddy Capps yet.

I have a TPB squat bar--the original one, not the new giant one--in cerakote. it has been great. the knurling is pretty aggressive, IMO; just right for back squats. haven't tried pressing with it but there is no reason it couldn't be done, assuming you have space for the length, allowing you to use 1 bar for squats & presses.

[angrypolack]

I gave in and purchased the Texas bench bar. Just couldn't resist. I have a sickness!

[radrd]

I gave in and purchased the Texas bench bar. Just couldn't resist. I have a sickness!

Congrats! Looks like a great bar. If you don't end up loving it, you can always add another one to your collection.

[radrd]

Texas Bench Bar is on sale for $100 off if anyone is thinking about picking one up.

https://texaspowerbars.com/pages/black-friday

[urbanlifter]

Nice! The Blemished Squat bar is $350 on sale as well, that's a BEAST of a Barbell.