The brand new Matt Chan Bar is right here; an up to date but nonetheless true-to-form model of what’s usually thought of to be Rogue’s most unusual and versatile multi-purpose bar, and by the way the bar that has at all times been considered one of my private favorites through the years. The brand new Chan Bar is stronger, it’s extra resilient, and it’s flashier, however is it nonetheless a standout in Rogue’s bar line-up?
On this evaluate I’m going to side-by-side examine the brand new chrome steel Cerakote Chan Bar to the traditional metal variants (black zinc & chrome.) We’ll speak about what’s completely different, which is best, and whether or not or not the Chan Bar (both model) is for you. I’ll even be evaluating the brand new Chan Bar to the remainder of Rogue’s Ohio Bar line-up as nicely, because the Chan Bar is certainly an Ohio Bar variant.
Earlier than I start it must be talked about that I’ve owned the Satin Chrome Chan Bar for a lot of, a few years now. Whereas not my every day bar, it’s nonetheless used [exclusively] by others who use my health club, and I nonetheless seize for it once I want a second bar for supersets. It simply has probably the most miles on it of any bar in my health club, and as you will note in a number of the photographs under it’s nonetheless in unbelievable situation.
Evaluation Desk of Contents
- Matt Chan Bar Historical past
- Specs – Chan vs Chan
- Chan Bar Sleeve Meeting
- End & Oxidation Resistance
- Chan Bar Elasticity
- Knurling Aggressiveness
- Matt Chan Bar vs Rogue Ohio Bar
- Matt Chan Bar vs Rogue SS Ohio Bar
- Matt Chan Bar vs Rogue Ohio Energy Bar
- Evaluation Abstract
Chan Bar Historical past
The Chan Bar was co-developed by CrossFit athlete and Rogue Model Ambassador, Matt Chan. Matt was enlisted to assist design this new Ohio Bar variant at a time when there was already half a dozen such variants within the Rogue line-up; bars just like the Castro, Operator, and the Froning Bar that have been solely actually distinct due to their finishes.
Now whether or not the Chan’s design was left solely as much as Matt and his imaginative and prescient, or Rogue already had an thought of what they wished out of this new bar, the top consequence was going to be not solely probably the most distinctive of all of the Ohio spin-offs, however most likely probably the most distinctive bar in Rogue’s total line-up on the time (and doubtless nonetheless in the present day in case you don’t rely bars just like the Freedom Bar).
Now take into account that the Ohio variants are multi-purpose bars – which actually interprets to CrossFit bar. They’re general-purpose bars meant to go from a WOD to the rack; providing satisfactory efficiency in each the Olympic and energy lifts with out excelling in both. These multi-use bars usually have lighter knurl than devoted Olympic and energy bars and mid-range shaft diameters, however they’re versatile and customarily very sturdy. They have a tendency to make higher WOD bars than energy bars, however that’s why the Chan Bar was going to be completely different.
Chan Adjustments – What Made it Completely different From Different Ohios
All the adjustments made to the Chan Bar are knurling adjustments, and so they all favor energy lifts just like the deadlift, energy clear, and squat with out negatively impacting its use as a WOD bar; no less than for probably the most half. Matt added a extra aggressive outer knurl, a passive heart knurl (no different Ohio Bar has a middle knurl), and he spaced the outer knurling farther from heart to maintain the shins away from the knurl when pulling cleans or deadlifts.
The one adjustment made to the Chan Bar that an Ohio Bar-wielding CrossFitter could take situation with is the marginally extra aggressive knurl. I don’t personally suppose that the Chan Bar is simply too aggressive for a high-rep set, however hey, you might. The opposite two knurling adjustments ought to have actually no influence in your capability to do your WOD. The knurl spacing doesn’t change a snatch or clear & jerk, and the middle knurl is really fairly passive.
For my part all of those adjustments are nice, and so they make the Chan Bar distinctive not solely in Rogue’s line-up, however distinctive within the market. The Chan Bar is kind of a flexible energy bar; an influence bar which you can technically Olympic elevate with, and as everyone knows energy bars don’t usually make good Oly bars so the Chan actually is extraordinary in that sense.
The place’s Chrome?
When the Chan was initially launched it was obtainable in two finishes; black zinc and a satin chrome. Chrome was what I bought as a result of I feel black zinc is a foul end; particularly when it’s on sleeves (and it was and nonetheless is on the sleeves). Chrome was positively the extra standard selection amongst prospects.
Sadly chrome was in the end eliminated as an choice, leaving solely the black zinc – for years. I’m certain the Chan Bar nonetheless offered comparatively nicely, however I feel it could have completed a hell of quite a bit higher if chrome had been obtainable this entire time. Significantly, if I had a greenback for each time somebody requested me, “what occurred to the chrome Matt Chan” adopted by “which bar ought to I get as a substitute?” over the previous few years I’d have a variety of further money.
Enter the New Chan
We lastly have a brand new Chan Bar choice. The brand new Chan Bar is chrome steel, it’s completed in Cerakote as a substitute of black zinc, it’s stronger, and sure it’s additionally costlier. It’s positively a extra tempting buy than its zinc little brother although; as evidenced by the truth that I purchased a $400 Chan Bar once I have already got a superbly good $375 [chrome] Chan Bar.
So let’s see what makes these two bars with the identical title completely different.
OG Chan Bar Versus the brand new Cerakote Chan Bar
Under is a chart outlining the variations between the traditional Matt Chan Bar (nonetheless obtainable on the market) and the brand new Cerakote Version Matt Chan Bar.
Authentic Chan Bar
Cerakote Chan Bar worth $295 $395 materials metal stainless diameter 28.5 mm 28.5 mm end black zinc † Cerakote sleeve end black zinc † varies * tensile energy 190k PSI 200k PSI bushing bronze composite knurl agency agency heart knurl passive passive
† As beforehand talked about satin chrome was once an choice nevertheless it not is. That stated, the specs for that bar (must you encounter one) are the identical because the at the moment obtainable black zinc Chan Bar.
* The Cerakote Matt Chan Bar has a black Cerakote shaft with an unfinished chrome steel heart knurl, however you possibly can select between black Cerakote or chrome sleeves. Pricing shouldn’t be impacted by your selection. I like to recommend chrome sleeves as they’re more likely to age higher than Cerakote (weights sliding up and down the sleeves will ultimately put on down that Cerakote end leaving uncovered chrome steel).
By way of the knurl depth and outer knurl spacing, there seems to be no change from the unique Chan to the brand new Chan. Some supplies used have modified (from metal to stainless and from bronze bushings to composite) and the end choices have clearly modified, however the options that make the Chan Bar distinctive are fully unchanged.
In fact, the value has additionally modified. The Cerakote Chan Bar’s worth went north a full invoice, and whereas it’s a higher bar total, these of you who aren’t bothered by black zinc as a end could discover the unique Chan to be a greater purchase. For those who’re bothered by the branding embedded within the shaft of the Cerakote Chan you might have much more motive to go along with the older gen.
Rogue Cerakote Chan Bar – Sleeve Meeting
The sleeves are Rogue’s normal Ohio sleeve; single-piece carbon metal completed in both chrome or Cerakote. The Chan finish cap is unchanged, and all the things is assembled utilizing snap-rings. Nothing completely different or particular occurring right here, enterprise as ordinary.
Sleeve rotation is satisfactory; on par with every other Rogue bushing bar I’ve ever dealt with. My chrome Chan spins barely quicker unloaded, however there’s no distinction in how these two bars carry out underneath load (which is what actually issues anyway.) I don’t suppose bronze is inherently higher than composite or vice versa; nicely no less than in Rogue’s case.
It must be famous that my chromed Matt Chan Bar can also be extra than damaged in at this level, so any distinction in spin may simply be attributed to that.
By way of noise, the brand new Chan; regardless of having composite bushings as a substitute of metallic; isn’t any quieter than the older era Chan.
Rogue Cerakote Chan Bar – End & Oxidation-Resistance
Between a stainless-steel shaft and the Cerakote end, the brand new Chan has probably the most oxidation-resistant shafts available on the market. Matter of reality, solely the American Barbell Mammoth Energy Bar is on equal footing with the Chan. Apparently sufficient, neither of those barbells make the most of chrome steel for the sleeves so the uber safety solely applies to the shaft.
I personally don’t perceive why anybody would apply a end to a stainless-steel shaft, however that is turning into a factor I assume. I suppose these of you in extraordinarily humid areas like say Houston or Bangkok will reap some profit from all this oxidation safety, however to the remainder of us this bar is very like every other. We don’t have issues with rust on chrome, zinc, simply stainless or simply Cerakote so the doubling up of oxidation-resistant supplies received’t have an effect on us.
If I’ll…
Earlier I like to recommend shopping for the chrome-sleeved model of the brand new Chan Bar, but as you’ve most likely seen I didn’t observe my very own recommendation. Nicely, I bought the total Cerakote model for an excellent motive: science.
Personally I don’t get enthusiastic about all the coloured bars on the market. I’ve no downside with it, nevertheless it’s not my factor. I don’t want or need a inexperienced or pink barbell. Due to this, I haven’t bought any bars with Cerakote sleeves that I’d truly use, which means I nonetheless don’t have any first-hand expertise with how lengthy Cerakote can stand as much as metal weights sliding up and down the sleeves. Being that the Matt Chan is a bar I’d truly use I assumed this bar would make the right check topic.
For the file, even every week into possession I used to be noticing lacking Cerakote on the sleeves. I’d say it holds up somewhat higher on the sleeves than black zinc does however this may most likely be the final bar with Cerakote sleeves that I ever purchase.
Significantly, why aren’t all bar sleeves industry-wide simply unfinished chrome steel?
Rogue Cerakote Chan Bar – Elasticity
This isn’t a whippy bar, neither is it actually meant to be. The Chan Bar positively makes for a greater general-purpose bar or powerlifting bar than weightlifting bar, although as I touched on beforehand the truth that this “energy” bar can be utilized as an entry- to intermediate-level WOD or Oly bar can be a giant perk for a lot of lifters.
So is the Chan principally an influence bar?
I feel it’s. It might be 28.5 mm somewhat than the conventional 29 mm, nevertheless it’s a powerful, inflexible, bushing bar with semi-aggressive knurl and a number of different options that assist with the deadlift, squats and energy clear greater than they assist with the snatch. Once more, you possibly can bust out your WODs with this Ohio-variant, however in my expertise the Chan Bar has by no means been almost as standard amongst CrossFitters because it has been amongst extra skilled health club rats and powerlifters.
Rogue Cerakote Chan Bar – Knurling
I seek advice from the knurl of the Chan Bar as being aggressive however I wish to make clear what I imply by that so that you just don’t go purchase (or not purchase) the Chan since you’re imaging Ohio Energy Bar knurl or one thing; as a result of it’s not like that in any respect.
The Chan Bar principally has Rogue’s normal knurling sample with a barely deeper minimize. It’s primarily an Ohio Bar with somewhat further chew. It’s not corresponding to the Ohio Energy Bar or one thing just like the Eleiko Comp Bar. In different phrases it’s aggressive relative to the opposite bars in Rogue’s line-up, however on no account is it a cheese grater.
In my 2014 evaluate of the Matt Chan Bar I gave the knurling a ten/10 rating. Knurl choice is subjective, in fact, and that rating was primarily based solely on how that bar felt to me; in MY arms; however I keep that it’s nonetheless a greater knurl than what I see on most bars that go via my health club. It affords a particularly safe grip with out being too coarse or uncomfortable.
Whereas I do discover that Cerakote does extra to melt up (for lack of higher phrases) knurling than chrome or zinc does, I do discover that the brand new Cerakote Chan Bar affords the identical safe grip because the earlier era Chan. I nonetheless take into account the knurl to be a ten/10 for a Rogue bar.
Talking of Cerakote softening knurl, this can be the driving power behind not ending the already passive heart knurl. Maybe Cerakote would have simply left the middle feeling prefer it wasn’t knurled in any respect; or no less than not sufficient. If this was at all times the plan, perhaps it was then the driving power behind why stainless was used. You don’t wish to depart uncooked metal uncovered as a result of it would rust, however stainless received’t. Who the hell is aware of!
I’m rambling. The knurling is implausible. Grippy sufficient for a heavy pull, however not so sharp you couldn’t do a set of 15 cleans – although I don’t know why you’d 😉
Cerakote Chan Bar versus the Ohio Bar
The Cerakote Chan Bar shouldn’t be almost as just like the Ohio Bar because the earlier era Chan was. Matter of reality, upgrading the Chan’s shaft to excessive tensile energy chrome steel form of makes the Chan Bar its personal bar now somewhat than simply one other Ohio variant.
I consider the Ohio Bars as WOD bars. They don’t have any heart knurling, delicate outer knurling, no frill shafts, and colourful end choices galore. For those who’re significantly contemplating the stronger and extra aggressive Chan Bar you most likely is not going to be pleased with an Ohio variant except your determination finally ends up being primarily based extra in your obtainable price range than options (an Ohio variant may be had for as little as $255 within the type of the Rogue Bar 2.0.)
That having been stated…
Cerakote Chan Bar versus the SS Ohio Bar
The Stainless Metal Ohio Bar is definitely a viable various to the brand new Cerakote Chan Bar. Each of those bars are extra aggressively knurled than the usual Ohios, they each have sturdy stainless shafts, and so they each have chrome sleeves (or no less than the choice to pick chrome sleeves within the case of the brand new Chan.)
Each of those bars carry out equally when it comes to their whip and spin, however the SS Ohio is $50 much less and has the advantage of no end overlaying it’s stunning, grippy, stainless shaft. Nevertheless, the Chan nonetheless has that outer knurl spacing and the middle knurl, so if that’s what appeals to you in regards to the Chan Bar you then’re form of caught with the Chan Bar – which clearly isn’t a foul factor save for the larger expense (thanks, Cerakote).
Cerakote Chan Bar versus the Ohio Energy Bar
The Ohio Energy Bar (OPB) is clearly rather more of a hardcore energy bar than the Chan Bar. It has an excellent aggressive outer knurl and equally aggressive heart knurl. It additionally has a a lot stiffer 29 mm shaft. The OPB doesn’t have the broader, shin-saving, outer knurling just like the Chan, nevertheless it does have an excellent strong grip, a middle knurl, and it may be had for quite a bit much less cash than the Chan; particularly the brand new Cerakote Chan.
I used to personal the naked metal Ohio Energy Bar ($250) however I in the end changed it with the rust-resistant SS Ohio Energy Bar ($395-$425). Apparently sufficient, I nonetheless by no means select to coach with it over different bars. Sure, I feel it’s is a tremendous bar in the fitting arms and its supplied at a particularly reasonable worth, however truthfully I simply don’t want that cheese grater knurl for the bench press and I don’t need that aggro heart knurl once I squat.
What in regards to the deadlift? Nicely in all equity I do use an Ohio Deadlift Bar, however eradicating that second bar from the equation I feel I’d nonetheless be extra more likely to pull with a Chan than the OPB. Chan knurling is greater than satisfactory and it’s spaced completely for pulls, and the thinner bar shaft is extra more likely to have some slack in it. Narrower bars make nice deadlift bars and the Chan is narrower than the OPB; even when solely by 0.5 mm.
I feel the Ohio Energy Bar offers the ability bar world a run for its cash. The specs for the value is excellent. $250 for the fully-functional, naked metal variant is simply insane. That stated, you can do higher in case you’re prepared to spend extra, and that’s principally what I’ve chosen to do in my very own health club. My $395 OPB collects mud whereas the Chan Bar and AB energy bars rack up all the intense mileage. That’s simply me although; the OPB could also be exactly the bar for you.
Cerakote Matt Chan Bar Evaluation Abstract
Like the unique Chan, the up to date Cerakote Chan is a wonderful bar. It has quite a bit going for it when it comes to options and specs, and the broader knurl spacing is a virtually unimaginable characteristic to seek out elsewhere (which is extremely stunning if you consider it.) The Matt Chan Bar is just untouchable within the uniqueness division.
As a lot as I like the brand new Chan Bar I do suppose it has a pair minor drawbacks. Admittedly these are a matter of private choice and you might not care about these two issues, however in my view fixing them would make the Chan a virtually good bar; which is really fairly the praise while you see how petty these two complaints are.
For starters, I discover finding the hash marks on a black bar in a dimly lit storage health club to be an train in persistence. Why cowl chrome steel (of all issues) with a black end! Secondly, I may do with out the extreme Rogue branding. Each finish caps say Rogue and have Matt’s signature emblem; isn’t that sufficient for a barbell?
,