Open trap bar question

[cwcmac]

Hey all, been a loooong time and it looks like the spam is back under control (Thanks mods):

Wondering if anyone has experience with the Force USA open trap bar and/or the Giant Northland Trap bar. Both looks like they have taken concepts from others and I'm considering one (since I can get them for about the same price). Here's what it looks like to me but I have no idea if true:

Force USA: Grips are the same size and it seems wider which maybe an issue since I'm pretty short. My heavier so I am guessing better construction but may be wrong

Giant Northland: Grips are different size, lighter but not as wide

Anyone know much about either?

[latverian41]

Probably have better luck posting this on one of bb.com other sub forums .

[cwcmac]

Probably have better luck posting this on one of bb.com other sub forums .

It's an equipment question on the equipment forum

[thedickus]

It's an equipment question on the equipment forum

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to cwcmac again.

LOL No $hlt!

Good thing about this forum, at least it used to be, is that someone probably has used a piece of equipment someone has a question about

[radrd]

Good to see you here again. Spam is better these days but we still have flare ups.

No idea about Force USA, but I use and really enjoy the Giant Northland Trap Bar. I like pretty much everything about it because all I want to do is deadlift. Width is perfect. If you want more modularity, I'd look at Rep Fitness. Both Rep and Giant are imported but Rep has swappable handles and can be used for squatting. I wouldn't try squatting with the Giant bar.

Two potential negatives about Giant. One is balance. Low 28mm handles balance great. High thick handles do not. I suspect swapping low and high with the thick handles in the low position would make high balance but haven't tried it.

The knurl on the latest version is also very aggressive. You can disregard Coop and Gluck saying it's mild or moderate. Giant has revised at least once if not twice since the reviews. The latest grips have some serious bite. The tpi is pretty high so it's not horrible and I think I like it, but your hands remember for a few hours.

[murphyreedus]

I have the Giant Northland bar and really like it. I did swap the thick handles to the low position as I prefer using those. I haven't experienced any issues with balance, but I did have some handle rotation happening during use above 315 when I first got the bar (handle bolts weren't torqued enough). When I swapped the handles I added blue loctite, and have had no issues with the handles since.

The knurl is definitely aggressive, and I really like how it feels. I had been considering the Rep bar for more handle width options, but the Giant fits me perfectly and cost a little less.

[cwcmac]

Thanks guys, really appreciate the feedback. Sorry, I still seem to be on spread with everyone here.
Glad to see this forum is getting a little more life again

[radrd]

I have the Giant Northland bar and really like it. I did swap the thick handles to the low position as I prefer using those. I haven't experienced any issues with balance, but I did have some handle rotation happening during use above 315 when I first got the bar (handle bolts weren't torqued enough). When I swapped the handles I added blue loctite, and have had no issues with the handles since.

The knurl is definitely aggressive, and I really like how it feels. I had been considering the Rep bar for more handle width options, but the Giant fits me perfectly and cost a little less.

Do your handles have the center knurl mark as shown on their site currently?

[murphyreedus]

Do your handles have the center knurl mark as shown on their site currently?

No, it was from before they added the center mark, so not sure how much different the actual knurling is. It looks like they are offering the 28mm handles with the mark to existing owners, but I don't see the 38mm yet.

[radrd]

No, it was from before they added the center mark, so not sure how much different the actual knurling is. It looks like they are offering the 28mm handles with the mark to existing owners, but I don't see the 38mm yet.

I had the same handles you do or I'm pretty sure I did. Giant is local to me and I picked up the new 28mm ones with the knurl mark. They are even more aggressive or at least mine are. I like them, but I hope they don't go any further with future iterations. Your handles were pretty much perfect IMO. I do like having the knurl mark to help me get centered, so I'll be sticking with these. Can't imagine I'll ever need chalk!

[Betterme4]

what is this exactly

[radrd]

I had the same handles you do or I'm pretty sure I did. Giant is local to me and I picked up the new 28mm ones with the knurl mark. They are even more aggressive or at least mine are. I like them, but I hope they don't go any further with future iterations. Your handles were pretty much perfect IMO. I do like having the knurl mark to help me get centered, so I'll be sticking with these. Can't imagine I'll ever need chalk!

Update. I got tired of getting my hands chewed up so I switched back to the previous gen handles and drew center marks on them with a paint marker. It is working great. Others may like super aggressive knurl, but I got a micro cut that took days to heal and decided that was it for me.