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Thread: Which bar to buy?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
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    7

    Default Which bar to buy?

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    Hello,

    I beginner-intermediate lifter weighting 72kgs @ 5'6", currently squatting 120kgs and deadlifting 130kgs. I have been training in the gym but now I am inclined to train at home for saving time & money. I need some help in finalizing the barbell.

    I boiled down to these two bars with all parameters same except :

    Bar 1:
    ★ Shaft Coating ✔ Hard Chrome
    ★ Sleeve Coating ✔ Hard Chrome
    ★ Bushing/Bearing ✔ 10 HK Needle Bearings + 2 Bronze Bushings
    ★ Tensile Strength ✔ 190,000 PSI
    ★ Max load ✔ 1500lbs/680kg
    Bar 2:
    ★ Shaft Coating ✔ Chrome
    ★ Sleeve Coating ✔ Chrome
    ★ Bushing/Bearing ✔ 4 NK Needle Bearings + 2 Bronze Bushings
    ★ Tensile Strength ✔ 150,000 PSI
    ★ Max load ✔ 1000lbs/453kg
    Bar 1 costs 75% more than Bar 2. I am never planning to exceed 75kg bodyweight and no plans of putting more than 225kg on the bar. Apart from powerlifting move, intend to use this barbell to train snatch and clean&jerk.

    Would bar 2 be sufficient for my purposes? I don't want to buy another bar in future. I could definitely use the extra 75% money to buy other stuff in my home gym. But if you say, bar 1 is worth that extra 75% of money then I will go for it.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    North Texas
    Posts
    54,808

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    1,040

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by claws View Post
    I need some help in finalizing the barbell.
    Claws, I finally just set myself up with a garage gym over the Christmas break. I purchased the SS Bar and I couldn't be more pleased. An excellent piece of equipment. I made the mistake of not getting the SS weight tree and tried to save some money by buying the CAPs weight tree. Huge mistake on my part. Watch Rips video on the plate tree and you'll see why the new versions suck.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Posts
    7

    Default

    I should have mentioned. I am not from US. I am from India.These are Indian made bars. If I convert into US currency, bar 1 is 239USD and bar 2 is 135USD including shipping.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Posts
    729

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by claws View Post
    Hello,
    ... 5'6"...
    ...intend to use this barbell to train snatch and clean&jerk.
    I would get which ever bar that is more a kin to an Olympic Weightlifting bar.
    That is, 28 mm diameter.
    At 5'6" I bet you don't have overly large hands or fingers (to apply a hook grip).
    Believe it or not, there is a big difference between 28 and say 29 if you have small hands.

    Whippiness, or flex, might be an asset if you stay with Olympic Weightlifting for a long time.
    (not for the reasons that are typically espoused, just trust me, its a comfort thing).

    If both those bars are of that diameter, I would get the stronger one I guess.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Posts
    82

    Default

    Hey Rip, what's the difference between the other bars that they make and the SS bars? Thanks!

  7. #7
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    Default

    The knurl, the lack of plating, and the sleeve. The knurl is very nice.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
    Posts
    82

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Rippetoe View Post
    The knurl, the lack of plating, and the sleeve. The knurl is very nice.
    Understood. I assume since it says "natural steel" these are not stainless. Do you happen to know what steel they are manufacturing them out of? Thanks!

  9. #9
    Join Date
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    North Texas
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    Default

    4140, I think.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2019
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    82

    Default

    starting strength coach development program
    Quote Originally Posted by Mark Rippetoe View Post
    4140, I think.
    Appreciate it!

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