Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
- bobmen10000
- Registered User
- Posts: 1681
- Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:34 pm
- Age: 43
- Contact:
Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
I am looking for a replacement trap bar. I currently use an Edge Rickshaw (basically a high bar trap with open front and feet) and while I really like it, particularly how it is extremely easy to load an do carries with, the not having knurling bit and lack of lower handles is becoming an issue. Probably more of the former than the latter.
I previously owned a cheap Cap trap bar with super aggressive knurling, which was fine but I would like something a little less cheese grater like, and preferably something with a longer loading sleeve as well. Anyone have first hand experience with other brands?
I previously owned a cheap Cap trap bar with super aggressive knurling, which was fine but I would like something a little less cheese grater like, and preferably something with a longer loading sleeve as well. Anyone have first hand experience with other brands?
- Skid
- Registered User
- Posts: 1812
- Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 9:11 am
- Location: Paradise Valley
- Age: 60
Re: Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
I should be receiving my Sunny Health & Fitness OB-HEX bar from Walmart (not kidding) pretty soon. It looked pretty good to me and the price was right. I'll do a quick write up once I get it.
Another that looks good and is cheap is the Bells of Steel one with long rotating sleeves.
Another that looks good and is cheap is the Bells of Steel one with long rotating sleeves.
- bobmen10000
- Registered User
- Posts: 1681
- Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:34 pm
- Age: 43
- Contact:
Re: Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
Look forward to the write up = really curious about the knurling. And the Bells of Steel 2.0 Trap Bar looks promising as well.Skid wrote: ↑Mon Oct 15, 2018 8:06 am I should be receiving my Sunny Health & Fitness OB-HEX bar from Walmart (not kidding) pretty soon. It looked pretty good to me and the price was right. I'll do a quick write up once I get it.
Another that looks good and is cheap is the Bells of Steel one with long rotating sleeves.
- Cody
- Equipment Guru
- Posts: 2047
- Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2017 8:14 am
- Age: 39
- bobmen10000
- Registered User
- Posts: 1681
- Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:34 pm
- Age: 43
- Contact:
Re: Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
I read a few negative reviews/comments about beastmetals in terms of shipping times and responding to questions. Have you dealt with them before?Cody wrote: ↑Mon Oct 15, 2018 9:27 am http://www.beastmetals.com
https://www.blackwidowtg.com/category_s/1868.htm
I forgot about black widow, I knew he was on a break a few months back and haven't visited the site since then.
Thanks for the tips.
- Cody
- Equipment Guru
- Posts: 2047
- Joined: Thu Sep 14, 2017 8:14 am
- Age: 39
Re: Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
Cheers! I haven't dealt with them, but Thrall likes them.bobmen10000 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 15, 2018 9:44 amI read a few negative reviews/comments about beastmetals in terms of shipping times and responding to questions. Have you dealt with them before?Cody wrote: ↑Mon Oct 15, 2018 9:27 am http://www.beastmetals.com
https://www.blackwidowtg.com/category_s/1868.htm
I forgot about black widow, I knew he was on a break a few months back and haven't visited the site since then.
Thanks for the tips.
- Skid
- Registered User
- Posts: 1812
- Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 9:11 am
- Location: Paradise Valley
- Age: 60
Re: Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
Looks like standard collars will not work on either of those bars. Frankly, I wouldn't buy another bar with undersized sleeves that standard collars won't fit. The weights would be sloppy on them too.bobmen10000 wrote: ↑Mon Oct 15, 2018 9:44 amI read a few negative reviews/comments about beastmetals in terms of shipping times and responding to questions. Have you dealt with them before?Cody wrote: ↑Mon Oct 15, 2018 9:27 am http://www.beastmetals.com
https://www.blackwidowtg.com/category_s/1868.htm
I forgot about black widow, I knew he was on a break a few months back and haven't visited the site since then.
Thanks for the tips.
- murphyreedus
- Registered User
- Posts: 1298
- Joined: Fri Nov 03, 2017 9:24 am
- Location: Lasting Integrity
- Age: 40
Re: Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
I've been pondering trying one of these bars from Gopher. I want rackable with low handles. Not many reviews on them, though.
https://www.gopherperformance.com/search?q=Hex+bar
If Black Widow's bar had a higher capacity than 450 I'd probably get that, but that seems stupidly low.
https://www.gopherperformance.com/search?q=Hex+bar
If Black Widow's bar had a higher capacity than 450 I'd probably get that, but that seems stupidly low.
-
- Young Padawan
- Posts: 1507
- Joined: Thu Dec 14, 2017 9:34 pm
- mgil
- Shitpostmaster General
- Posts: 8494
- Joined: Wed Sep 13, 2017 5:46 pm
- Location: FlabLab©®
- Age: 49
- bobmen10000
- Registered User
- Posts: 1681
- Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:34 pm
- Age: 43
- Contact:
Re: Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
It really does seem on the low side, although I have seen similar weight capacity from other makers - curious as to why that is. I would be surprised if it couldn't handle a good bit more but...having it explode mid-rep may be problematic.murphyreedus wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:47 pm I've been pondering trying one of these bars from Gopher. I want rackable with low handles. Not many reviews on them, though.
https://www.gopherperformance.com/search?q=Hex+bar
If Black Widow's bar had a higher capacity than 450 I'd probably get that, but that seems stupidly low.
-
- Registered User
- Posts: 728
- Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2018 9:17 am
- Age: 36
Re: Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
Or just get the one that isn't sold out and can hold 800 lbs...bobmen10000 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 9:15 amIt really does seem on the low side, although I have seen similar weight capacity from other makers - curious as to why that is. I would be surprised if it couldn't handle a good bit more but...having it explode mid-rep may be problematic.murphyreedus wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:47 pm I've been pondering trying one of these bars from Gopher. I want rackable with low handles. Not many reviews on them, though.
https://www.gopherperformance.com/search?q=Hex+bar
If Black Widow's bar had a higher capacity than 450 I'd probably get that, but that seems stupidly low.
https://www.blackwidowtg.com/product_p/bar-hexround.htm
- Skid
- Registered User
- Posts: 1812
- Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 9:11 am
- Location: Paradise Valley
- Age: 60
Re: Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
It's still made out of pipe, doesn't have high handles, and requires special collars. Walmart has a good selection https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=hex%20barFredM wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 6:13 pmOr just get the one that isn't sold out and can hold 800 lbs...bobmen10000 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 9:15 amIt really does seem on the low side, although I have seen similar weight capacity from other makers - curious as to why that is. I would be surprised if it couldn't handle a good bit more but...having it explode mid-rep may be problematic.murphyreedus wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:47 pm I've been pondering trying one of these bars from Gopher. I want rackable with low handles. Not many reviews on them, though.
https://www.gopherperformance.com/search?q=Hex+bar
If Black Widow's bar had a higher capacity than 450 I'd probably get that, but that seems stupidly low.
https://www.blackwidowtg.com/product_p/bar-hexround.htm
-
- Registered User
- Posts: 728
- Joined: Wed Jul 18, 2018 9:17 am
- Age: 36
Re: Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
1. I don't buy cheap Chinese crap to save $100Skid wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 6:53 pmIt's still made out of pipe, doesn't have high handles, and requires special collars. Walmart has a good selection https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=hex%20barFredM wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 6:13 pmOr just get the one that isn't sold out and can hold 800 lbs...bobmen10000 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 9:15 amIt really does seem on the low side, although I have seen similar weight capacity from other makers - curious as to why that is. I would be surprised if it couldn't handle a good bit more but...having it explode mid-rep may be problematic.murphyreedus wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:47 pm I've been pondering trying one of these bars from Gopher. I want rackable with low handles. Not many reviews on them, though.
https://www.gopherperformance.com/search?q=Hex+bar
If Black Widow's bar had a higher capacity than 450 I'd probably get that, but that seems stupidly low.
https://www.blackwidowtg.com/product_p/bar-hexround.htm
2. I don't want to lift with oven mitts (this was literally proposed on these forums with the Cap's ridiculous knurl)
3. If I want a shorter ROM pull that's easy on the lower back I'll do rack pulls.
- Skid
- Registered User
- Posts: 1812
- Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 9:11 am
- Location: Paradise Valley
- Age: 60
Re: Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
So you'd buy an American Bar that has several flaws? I've got 9 bars now including an IPF comp legal Bull bar with the highest tensile strength available in any bar, as well as 3 different Rogue bars. I also have calibrated weights cause that was important to me for competition, so I'm not a cheap bastard.FredM wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 7:31 pm1. I don't buy cheap Chinese crap to save $100Skid wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 6:53 pmIt's still made out of pipe, doesn't have high handles, and requires special collars. Walmart has a good selection https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=hex%20barFredM wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 6:13 pmOr just get the one that isn't sold out and can hold 800 lbs...bobmen10000 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 9:15 amIt really does seem on the low side, although I have seen similar weight capacity from other makers - curious as to why that is. I would be surprised if it couldn't handle a good bit more but...having it explode mid-rep may be problematic.murphyreedus wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:47 pm I've been pondering trying one of these bars from Gopher. I want rackable with low handles. Not many reviews on them, though.
https://www.gopherperformance.com/search?q=Hex+bar
If Black Widow's bar had a higher capacity than 450 I'd probably get that, but that seems stupidly low.
https://www.blackwidowtg.com/product_p/bar-hexround.htm
2. I don't want to lift with oven mitts (this was literally proposed on these forums with the Cap's ridiculous knurl)
3. If I want a shorter ROM pull that's easy on the lower back I'll do rack pulls.
I have a Chinese SSB bar and the first Olympic bar I bought back 25+ years ago. Both still work well and the Chinese Oly bar has been abused with 500lb+ rack pulls and is still straight. The SSB bar is a joy to use as well.
I'm always looking for decent quality but will save money where I can if the quality is good for its intended purpose. But whatever, it's your money.
- bobmen10000
- Registered User
- Posts: 1681
- Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:34 pm
- Age: 43
- Contact:
Re: Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
Do you have a pic of the Chinese SSB?Skid wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 7:59 pmSo you'd buy an American Bar that has several flaws? I've got 9 bars now including an IPF comp legal Bull bar with the highest tensile strength available in any bar, as well as 3 different Rogue bars. I also have calibrated weights cause that was important to me for competition, so I'm not a cheap bastard.FredM wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 7:31 pm1. I don't buy cheap Chinese crap to save $100Skid wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 6:53 pmIt's still made out of pipe, doesn't have high handles, and requires special collars. Walmart has a good selection https://www.walmart.com/search/?query=hex%20barFredM wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 6:13 pmOr just get the one that isn't sold out and can hold 800 lbs...bobmen10000 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 17, 2018 9:15 amIt really does seem on the low side, although I have seen similar weight capacity from other makers - curious as to why that is. I would be surprised if it couldn't handle a good bit more but...having it explode mid-rep may be problematic.murphyreedus wrote: ↑Tue Oct 16, 2018 5:47 pm I've been pondering trying one of these bars from Gopher. I want rackable with low handles. Not many reviews on them, though.
https://www.gopherperformance.com/search?q=Hex+bar
If Black Widow's bar had a higher capacity than 450 I'd probably get that, but that seems stupidly low.
https://www.blackwidowtg.com/product_p/bar-hexround.htm
2. I don't want to lift with oven mitts (this was literally proposed on these forums with the Cap's ridiculous knurl)
3. If I want a shorter ROM pull that's easy on the lower back I'll do rack pulls.
I have a Chinese SSB bar and the first Olympic bar I bought back 25+ years ago. Both still work well and the Chinese Oly bar has been abused with 500lb+ rack pulls and is still straight. The SSB bar is a joy to use as well.
I'm always looking for decent quality but will save money where I can if the quality is good for its intended purpose. But whatever, it's your money.
And I appreciate all links and help from everyone. At this point, if/when i get a new trap bar it is between the mega cap, the black widow bar with 800lb capacity or one of the Rogue trap bars.
The Mega Cap seems like the best value, though I read several complaints about the handles not being even, mileage may vary I guess. I already have several pieces of Black Widow equipment and am overall satisfied; this includes special collars for another specialty bar that would fit but the plates sliding around is an issue. The Rogue Bars are the most expensive but I save a bit by picking them up, the cheaper version would be $50.00 or so within the Black Widow with free pickup in mind.
We will see.
- Skid
- Registered User
- Posts: 1812
- Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 9:11 am
- Location: Paradise Valley
- Age: 60
Re: Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
I bought the Amstaff SSB from Fitness Avenue - https://www.fitnessavenue.ca/olympic-safety-squat-bar #Krustykrab bought one too and is quite happy with it. It has 2" bronze bushed rotating sleeves and is one of the very few bars with that. Most use cheap undersized pipe so you get sloppy weights and need special clamps.
It's the only SSB bar I've ever tried, but I am quite satisfied with it. I can do hands-free squats so the camber is right.
It's the only SSB bar I've ever tried, but I am quite satisfied with it. I can do hands-free squats so the camber is right.
- Skid
- Registered User
- Posts: 1812
- Joined: Sun Oct 15, 2017 9:11 am
- Location: Paradise Valley
- Age: 60
Re: Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
Well I picked up my Sunny hex bar today at Walmart. Walmart is copying Amazon by having products from other vendors on their website, except shipping is free if you pick it up from their stores. This is a good thing when considering shipping of heavy things like bars.
The bar:
Came well packaged in a plastic bag in a heavy cardboard box. There was a plywood box at each end of the bar to protect the bar from punching through the end of the cardboard box. The cardboard box was beat up. but the bar was unscathed.
According to the nameplate held in by circlips at the end of the sleeves, the bar is 51lbs, and is rated to handle 750lbs.
I measured the sleeves at 1.970 x 9 3/8 long. Standard collars work. With Standard weights you can fit 7 45's on each side.
The welds look substantial and good, everything looks to be "square" like it was welded in a jig so there is no distortion. It has a nickel type plating not chrome. It's a very nice looking bar.
The knurling on the upper and lower handles is a bit more aggressive than my Rogue bars, but not as aggressive as my comp bar. Just right for training deadlifts. The centerlines of the upper and lower handles are 4.5 inches apart
I'll start to incorporate it into my training over the next few weeks and see what it is like to use.
- bobmen10000
- Registered User
- Posts: 1681
- Joined: Tue Feb 06, 2018 8:34 pm
- Age: 43
- Contact:
Re: Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
Thanks for the update - look forward to an update (if you don't mind) about its use. I am likely going to wait until Black Friday to pickup a trap bar (or anything else.)Skid wrote: ↑Sat Oct 27, 2018 12:58 pmWell I picked up my Sunny hex bar today at Walmart. Walmart is copying Amazon by having products from other vendors on their website, except shipping is free if you pick it up from their stores. This is a good thing when considering shipping of heavy things like bars.
The bar:
Came well packaged in a plastic bag in a heavy cardboard box. There was a plywood box at each end of the bar to protect the bar from punching through the end of the cardboard box. The cardboard box was beat up. but the bar was unscathed.
According to the nameplate held in by circlips at the end of the sleeves, the bar is 51lbs, and is rated to handle 750lbs.
I measured the sleeves at 1.970 x 9 3/8 long. Standard collars work. With Standard weights you can fit 7 45's on each side.
The welds look substantial and good, everything looks to be "square" like it was welded in a jig so there is no distortion. It has a nickel type plating not chrome. It's a very nice looking bar.
The knurling on the upper and lower handles is a bit more aggressive than my Rogue bars, but not as aggressive as my comp bar. Just right for training deadlifts. The centerlines of the upper and lower handles are 4.5 inches apart
I'll start to incorporate it into my training over the next few weeks and see what it is like to use.
- murphyreedus
- Registered User
- Posts: 1298
- Joined: Fri Nov 03, 2017 9:24 am
- Location: Lasting Integrity
- Age: 40
Re: Best Trap Bar with Low Handles
Bump. Anyone pick up a trap bar for BF?
Have some Amazon gift cards and keep looking at this open-back one, which looks like it's a pair of 2" ID shaft collars from also being rackable, otherwise looks about like CAP quality:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FCFB6MN
Have some Amazon gift cards and keep looking at this open-back one, which looks like it's a pair of 2" ID shaft collars from also being rackable, otherwise looks about like CAP quality:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FCFB6MN