Some Thoughts on Bars

[Robert Britt Freund]

Originally Posted by Keith Miller

Robert, what do you know about the York Olympic training bar? I am thinking about getting one. One of the reps is offering a 30-40% discount and is providing me with a quote. This will be a second bar, as I already have a Zhang Gong IWF certified competition bar. Just wondering your thoughts if you have lifted on one of these. Thanks,

Hi Keith,

I have never used a York Olympic training bar directly (there are two models, the #32002 and #32004). However, the B&R bar, which I have used extensively, is basically a combination of both of these two different York Olympic training bars:

• Sleeves and bushings from the York #32002
• Raw steel 29mm bar from the York #32004

I don't know which of the two Olympic Training bars you are being offered, but York makes a good bar and both models are solid. The York #32004 will be quite similar to the B&R bar in feel (a bit stiff for the fast lifts, but an excellent "Starting Strength" bar) while the York #32002 will have more of the feel of your Zhang Gong bar. The sleeves and bushings on the bar are quite solid, even though I dislike the fixed end that becomes a "hump" you have to push the plates over. If you need a good mid-range bar to go with your Zhang Gong, York is not a bad way to go.

Regards,
brittf

[Brian Degenaro]

Be careful with the York bars, because if it's the North American NB bar, 9/10 times that bar will bend or break. Be sure to ask for the model number or even pictures so you can check it on York's site.

[Keith Miller]

Thanks for the replies guys. It was either the York or a Pendlay bushing bar. I don't want to go to a 28.5 mm or so bar, that's the only reason I'm not looking at the Rogue bar. I also want something with coating (I'm really bad with maintenance). I have worked out on the Pendlay bushing bar, and really like it for the price.

[Robert Britt Freund]

Originally Posted by Brian Degenaro

Be careful with the York bars, because if it's the North American NB bar, 9/10 times that bar will bend or break. Be sure to ask for the model number or even pictures so you can check it on York's site.

Hi Brian.

I haven't ever heard of this. Could you talk about it more? I am not entirely sure what the North American NB bar is...

I would be quite surprised if the York #32004 (29 mm; 195,000 psi yield strength) could bend under even the most demanding circumstances. That is the same exact steel as in the B&R bar and I haven't heard of that bar ever bending. There would have to be a flaw in the actual material itself; otherwise, I would have thought that this bar is almost unbendable.

It also surprises me that the York #32002 would bend. It uses the same 195,000 psi yield strength steel, but is only 28 mm in diameter. Still, except under unusual conditions, it shouldn't bend either. This is stronger steel than the EDT steel used in most CrossFit-oriented bars (150,000-165,000 psi yield) and the reduction in diameter from 28.4 to 28 mm would not be enough to offset the strength difference.

What has been your experience with either of these York bars? Could you tell us more?

Sincere regards,
brittf

[Robert Britt Freund]

Originally Posted by Keith Miller

Thanks for the replies guys. It was either the York or a Pendlay bushing bar. I don't want to go to a 28.5 mm or so bar, that's the only reason I'm not looking at the Rogue bar. I also want something with coating (I'm really bad with maintenance). I have worked out on the Pendlay bushing bar, and really like it for the price.

Keith,

I have never used the Pendlay NexGen Bushing bar (I do have the Pendlay NexGen Bearing bar on the way right now).

From all accounts, the Bushing bar is a good bar. Pendlay puts his name on good stuff. I will know more about his new Bearing bar when I receive it in a few days.

However, note that the Pendlay NexGen Bushing bar IS a 28.4 mm bar... It is made from EDT steel. So, the choice between it and the York #32002 (which IS a 28 mm bar) is not immediately clear and depends on what you are looking for in a new bar.

Hope this helps,
brittf

[Keith Miller]

Thanks, I did not see that. I'll let you all know what I decide to get, and how it feels when I get it. If I talk my wife into it, I could upgrade to a Pendlay bearing bar. I'll have to see what the York rep gives me.

Brian, I have heard of some stories about the York bars, but that was only with the really old bars, not the newer versions. I would also like to hear more about what you might have heard or experienced with the York bars bending/breaking.

Thanks, this is the most help I've gotten (in addition to reading this thread).

I'm mostly a Oly weightlifter that dabbles in Crossfit from time to time.

[Jeremy Galo]

Originally Posted by Robert Britt Freund

Hi Keith,

I have never used a York Olympic training bar directly (there are two models, the #32002 and #32004). However, the B&R bar, which I have used extensively, is basically a combination of both of these two different York Olympic training bars:

• Sleeves and bushings from the York #32002
• Raw steel 29mm bar from the York #32004

I don't know which of the two Olympic Training bars you are being offered, but York makes a good bar and both models are solid. The York #32004 will be quite similar to the B&R bar in feel (a bit stiff for the fast lifts, but an excellent "Starting Strength" bar) while the York #32002 will have more of the feel of your Zhang Gong bar. The sleeves and bushings on the bar are quite solid, even though I dislike the fixed end that becomes a "hump" you have to push the plates over. If you need a good mid-range bar to go with your Zhang Gong, York is not a bad way to go.

Regards,
brittf

Anybody know anything about the York Men's Needle Bearing Olympic Training Bar - 28mm (#32110)? I'm guessing is somewhat of a lower-end model of theirs, but I got it for the needle bearings and I use it only for O-lifts and deadlifts really.

[Brian Degenaro]

I do not have a good opinion about 9/10 of the Needle Bearing training bar, the number is 32110; this is a "split sleeve" bar and the knurling is pretty rough. At the CF where I work at most of them have bent, one or two have already broken. We got one with the platform and bumpers at my college gym, bent the first day when someone racked a 135lb squat with it. The actual bar bent. I wish I had the money to do an experiment. I don't know if it is racking the bar with a load in a squat or just dynamic load that bends it. It is weird but I do not trust these bars, even though there is one that I have used for 350lb+ squats on with a big bounce out of the hole. I just don't trust them after seeing them bend, and a sleeve separate from one.

I do however love their Elite training and competition bars, those are fantastic, although they are a bit stiffer than York. York was kind enough to replace the bent one at school with a chrome Elite training bar, at least that's what it looks and feels like when I use it.

[Andrew Makely]

Just got my pendlay bearing bar. So excited after a long wait, ordered it way back when they first said it would be available. Let you know how it feels as soon as I get to try it out. I won't have much to compare it to though, never used any top flight bars before.

[Robert Britt Freund]

Originally Posted by Andrew Makely

Just got my pendlay bearing bar. So excited after a long wait, ordered it way back when they first said it would be available. Let you know how it feels as soon as I get to try it out. I won't have much to compare it to though, never used any top flight bars before.

Andrew,

Please see your PM for an important message I left you.

Regards,
brittf