Olympic bars--Do any of these look decent?

[RussB]

See the attached picture. All the bars are for sale, ranging from $45-55. The third from the bottom is a thicker bar, but I don't know how thick. The seller is calling it "heavy duty" for powerlifting. I think I'm more interested in the one all the way to the top though. Is that a York? and if so, do you think it is this one: http://www.roguefitness.com/york-str...ard-chrome.php ? Any additional thoughts? I see that the two on the bottom are hex bolt bars, and I already have a CAP barbell cheapie.

By the way I only want one bar for all the main lifts, which is why I do not think I want the thicker bar as it will likely mess with my deadlift.

IMG_0361.jpg

[B4PJS]

The one at the top doesn't have a centre knurling for Squats.

[RussB]

The one at the top doesn't have a centre knurling for Squats.

Good point, I did notice that. I've looked into it before, and found a few threads on center knurling and squats:
http://startingstrength.com/resource...t=23530&page=1
http://startingstrength.com/resource...t=20462&page=1
http://startingstrength.com/resource...t=16516&page=1

[Dastardly]

the two bottom ones seem like your basic cheap bars, bolted on sleeves that unscrew. Probably best avoiding them.

The top bar looks like a low-mid priced modern york bar. Probably 30+mm thickness. They are better than the very cheapest york bars made in china that do not turn at all. But the steel is poor quality, and the thicker bar feels a little awkward for deadlifts. There is also no centre knurling on that particular one, which is significant if you are doing high bar squats. If you check it out in person and it happens to be 28mm, then it is one of the higher end bars (they look similar!) it should have a serial code on the end cap. You can look it up.

The rusty bar looks the best. As any bar coming uncoated was probably aimed at powerlifting, the sleeves look like a good quality design. Bare metal feels nicer to lift with too.

[RussB]

the two bottom ones seem like your basic cheap bars, bolted on sleeves that unscrew. Probably best avoiding them.

The top bar looks like a low-mid priced modern york bar. Probably 30+mm thickness. They are better than the very cheapest york bars made in china that do not turn at all. But the steel is poor quality, and the thicker bar feels a little awkward for deadlifts. There is also no centre knurling on that particular one, which is significant if you are doing high bar squats. If you check it out in person and it happens to be 28mm, then it is one of the higher end bars (they look similar!) it should have a serial code on the end cap. You can look it up.

The rusty bar looks the best. As any bar coming uncoated was probably aimed at powerlifting, the sleeves look like a good quality design. Bare metal feels nicer to lift with too.

Thanks, but check out this picture. Do you really think the York is thicker than the two hex bars? And the bare steel bar is definitely thicker than all of them, which is why I thought I'd steer clear of it.
IMG_0362.jpg

[SQUAT_316]

Hmmmm. Top bar is no doubt a York bar. Myself, I would buy the York. If no other reason because it is a York. Lack of center knurl is no problem. I wrapped athletic tape on my Rogue Bruiser and now we squat with it besides pulling. My concern like Dastardly has mention if its 30plus mm. I have the York 7' North American 30mm, 1000 test. I like it for squats and presses but deadlifts were tough due to its thickness. My Rogue is 28.5mm and it is a HUGE difference.

[RussB]

Hmmmm. Top bar is no doubt a York bar. Myself, I would buy the York. If no other reason because it is a York. Lack of center knurl is no problem. I wrapped athletic tape on my Rogue Bruiser and now we squat with it besides pulling. My concern like Dastardly has mention if its 30plus mm. I have the York 7' North American 30mm, 1000 test. I like it for squats and presses but deadlifts were tough due to its thickness. My Rogue is 28.5mm and it is a HUGE difference.

Yeah to me the York doesn't seem thick. Right now I'm using a cheap Cap barbell (I bought it used, but I think it's the one that comes with their 300-lb. set). Is there any chance that the York is NOT an upgrade over that? I'll probably go check the bars out (bare steel thick bar and the York) . I think I can get the York for $50, which seems pretty good. I might buy the bare steel bar too, and if I don't want it I think I could sell it after cleaning it up (seller wants $55 for it).

[KAG]

I like both the tope bars, the York and the unknown one.

I'd do clean and jerk, press, banch, etc with it. And deadlift with the thicker rusty bar. I've been deadlifting with a thicker bar and when I got to competition and used a thinner bar, it was much easier to grip.

[RussB]

I like both the tope bars, the York and the unknown one.

I do too, but really only want one bar. I'm going to take a look at them both. Although I don't think I'd like to deadlift with the thick bar. I don't want grip strength to be the limiting factor for my deadlift.

[RussB]

the two bottom ones seem like your basic cheap bars, bolted on sleeves that unscrew. Probably best avoiding them.

The top bar looks like a low-mid priced modern york bar. Probably 30+mm thickness. They are better than the very cheapest york bars made in china that do not turn at all. But the steel is poor quality, and the thicker bar feels a little awkward for deadlifts. There is also no centre knurling on that particular one, which is significant if you are doing high bar squats. If you check it out in person and it happens to be 28mm, then it is one of the higher end bars (they look similar!) it should have a serial code on the end cap. You can look it up.

The rusty bar looks the best. As any bar coming uncoated was probably aimed at powerlifting, the sleeves look like a good quality design. Bare metal feels nicer to lift with too.

So if I find that the York bar is the same diameter as the two cheapos, it's probably good? The cheapos are probably less than 30mm, right?