Why no center knurl: 15kg and 10kg SS bars

[Jesse A. Marks]

Why do the 15kg and 10kg Starting Strength barbells not have a center knurl? When using these bars to train older or weaker folks is there any special consideration I need to take? In particular, during the lowbar squat I am wondering if not having a center knurl will cause any issues with the bar sliding. I have heard that using athletic tape can help to create some friction--is this necessary? I'm interesting in hearing what you have to say about this matter and why you designed these bars to that specification because I am considering purchasing one or more of these bars. Thanks!

[Mark Rippetoe]

The demographic for which those bars are designed do not use heavy enough weights that a center knurl is necessary. It adds expense and not value. By the time a center knurl is useful to the lifter, the 20kg bar is being used.

[zft]

The demographic for which those bars are designed do not use heavy enough weights that a center knurl is necessary. It adds expense and not value. By the time a center knurl is useful to the lifter, the 20kg bar is being used.

Do some lifters actually need a center knurling? In my experience, bar security (in the squat) is unaffected by the presence of a center knurling and not-sand-papering-your-neck security (in the clean) is greatly compromised.

[Big-Green-Mud-Machine]

I have a big roll of athlete / rock climbers tape in my gym bag for when I'm away from home and stuck using a crappy gym which doesn't have centre knurled bars.

It works a treat for me, those non centred bars are whippy mind you!

[Soule]

Do some lifters actually need a center knurling? In my experience, bar security (in the squat) is unaffected by the presence of a center knurling and not-sand-papering-your-neck security (in the clean) is greatly compromised.

Eleiko oly bars would be very slippery without the center knurling. Fortunately, i convinced my managers here at globogym to get me a texas power bar - its the only rusty barbell in the gym and many of my friends and members pass it over to me when I walk up to the racks.

[Mark Rippetoe]

That's why you don't want a chrome-plated bar for general strength training.

[zft]

Eleiko oly bars would be very slippery without the center knurling.

I squat with a chrome-plated Eleiko bar often; it really makes no difference to me in terms of bar security. (Obviously anatomical factors are at play here and your experience--just like your anatomy--is different.)

[Soule]

I squat with a chrome-plated Eleiko bar often; it really makes no difference to me in terms of bar security. (Obviously anatomical factors are at play here and your experience--just like your anatomy--is different.)

This old texas power bar feels much more secure and way less whippy than the eleiko bars. How much are you squatting?

[zft]

This old texas power bar feels much more secure and way less whippy than the eleiko bars. How much are you squatting?

Guess I have to keep being the iconoclast here, but I prefer squatting with whippy bars.

How much are you squatting?

Edging up to 500 x 5. Here's a knee-sliding, on-my-toes, and--most-importantly--no-center-knurling 474 x 5 for your viewing pleasure: 215 kg x 5 on Vimeo

[Soule]

That bar looks less chromey and whippy than the ones at my gym. Another thing i dont like about squatting with the eleiko oly bars is the narrow base of the sleeve. Makes it awkward to unrack and rerack