Dear Cole:

Here's my review. Feel free to post on the website if you like. I posted pretty much the same thing over at http://www.dirtrider.net.

I've been basically out of MX for almost 2 years as a result of a broken right wrist (complete scaphoid break) that happened as a result of an internal fork problem which caused excessive bottoming over a three foot high double that I overjumped.

I had the suspension revalved. The bike handles much better now and landings are improved, but the suspension work did not resolve the wrist pain.

After healing up last year I tried track riding on several occasions and had too much pain to be comfortable on the bike. It wasn't that landings were killing me, but it was causing too much fear and hesitation because of possible hard landings. Even small jumps caused discomfort and big (for me) jumps were painful. Woods riding was ok, but to me, woods riding is just that - ok. I much prefer the track.

As a last gasp effort at age 35, I recently purchased a set of the quite expensive Fasst Flex bars from Fasst Co. I figured I didn't have anything to lose - Fasst Co offers a 30 day money back guarantee and from what I’ve seen, straight used flex bars sell pretty high on ebay.

On my first test ride last week in the woods, things went pretty well. I repeatedly jumped a medium size natural jump and didn’t have any pain to speak of. I was hopeful the bars would do well on the track. Still, I noticed that my arm/wrist got very tight and tired very quickly on that first ride.

Yesterday I went to Wildwood Lake MX on the Ohio side of the river near Parkersburg, WV. Wildwood is a 1 mile outdoor style track built on a hillside. 60 foot and 90 foot tabletops, a couple doubles, a couple gap jumps, a couple singles, a fast downhill, two challenging uphills out of tight corners, kicker jump on the top of a steep downhill. Conditions were firm to really muddy depending on the elevation.

I could not be more pleased with the bars. I split time on my bike with my buddy (his first time on a track) for 3 hours and 15 minutes. I had minor discomfort ONLY ONE TIME the whole day when I got cross rutted on the face of the 90 foot table and dive bombed the landing (I’m not fast enough to come close to downsiding it with the short run-up - only about 20% of the riders are). The pain was so minimal on that hard (forks bottomed) landing that instead of pulling off the track and calling it a day (as I would have done last year) I kept going a couple more laps. The rest of the day went well and I actually had a little bit of speed for the first time since the injury (which is about all the speed I ever had. . .).

Even though I’ve hardly ridden in the last year, I had zero arm pump, my wrist didn’t weaken or tire out any sooner than my arms and legs, and my wrist isn’t any more sore today than it normally is after any activity (which is to say that it’s not sore except when moved in a certain, limited direction). The riding actually feels like it is loosening up my wrist - if that makes any sense.

I am convinced that if I had installed the flex bars 2 years ago, I would not have broken my wrist when I overjumped the double. Given that having a cast put on cost about the same as the bars, it makes the bars seem to be a bit more reasonable in price.

In conclusion, I’m back to racing again thanks to the Fasst Co. Flex bars (and no, I am not an employee of Fasst Co.).

I'd recommend them to anyone, but especially riders who have wrist/elbow/shoulder injuries.

Rob Bright, Esq.

By the way, Flexxbars are not only the best bars on the market they are the best aftermarket part you can buy, period. I can ride all day on the trail without arm pump and at least 50% longer on the track. Thanks for coming up with the idea, it makes riding a lot more enjoyable. Good work.

Regards,
Brad Anderson

The Fasst Flexx bar is the best handlebar that I have ever used. I am very particular about bar position as I like a very flat feeling to my position, but the 12 degree bar was perfect right from the start. As per your suggestion I ran the blue elastomers first, and I'm sticking with them. The best thing about the bar is that you do not notice any flexing action until you need it. The bar locks with upward motion so I never felt insecure about jerking on them to loft the nose, however when hitting square-edged bumps, roots, or on jump landings I was able to maintain more control of my bike because the Flexx bar soaked up the hits nicely. Arm pump was not an issue because I did not have to grip my bar as tightly as I used to on a normal bar. Switching to the Fasst Flexx bar required no learning curve, but jumping back on a bike equipped with normal tapered bars felt decidedly weird and uncomfortable. Thank you again, Cole you have a phenomenal product!

Thank you!

Jimmi Soldo
DirtBike Television

I recently purchased a set of your bars. I absolutely love them! They made all the difference in the world for me. I started riding (woods) again after about a twenty five year layoff. I was ready to give up riding because of hand, arm, and shoulder fatigue. I wasn't having fun. I could only make about one third of the loop that my friends ride because I was so fatigued. After I installed the Flexx Bars (w/blue cushions) I was able to make the whole ride. I was faster and less fatigued the whole day. I was hoping the Flexx Bars would make my riding experience somewhat better. Let's just say that they far exceeded my expectations. I have been telling everyone I talk to what a difference the bars made for me, and how wonderful I think they are. The price of the bars was worth every penny. I wouldn't hesitate to spend the money on them again.

Thanks,
Eric Brown

Mr. Townsend,

I'm a 45-year old former regional B-class enduro rider who mainly just rides trails in north and central Idaho. In recent years, whenever I've ridden three days in any 10-day span, my right wrist has been in agony at the end of that third day and I've been unable to ride for at least a week.

Orthopedic specialists, using the latest CT-scans and MRIs were unable to diagnose any problem that may have been causing this. I'd about given up hope of being able to fully enjoy the my summers in Idaho until I heard of your handlebars via the Dirt Rider test.

I installed a pair and just got back from riding four days straight in my favorite north-central Idaho trail system and am overjoyed to report that my wrist didn't act up at all. Your bars have made the difference between me riding and not.

Thank you very much, -Joe Dowd