For years, pretty much all bicycle components were made from aluminum. It's stiff, lightweight, and relatively inexpensive. Over the past couple decades, carbon fiber has taken the top shelf for production of everything from frames to rims, and aluminum components have been frowned upon unfairly. Carbon fiber is definitely better in certain applications, such as vibration damping. Aluminum has its merits, as well. The FSA SLK MTB Flat Handlebar capitalizes on the benefits of each material. FSA's SLK Flat Handlebar combines aluminum and carbon fiber through its Carbon Structural Integration process, creating a 740mm-wide bar that weighs less than 200 grams. This fusion of unidirectional carbon fiber wrapped around an AL6066 aluminum shell gives the SLK not only excellent dampening properties but, ensures it easily passes CEN certification. That's some good piece of mind when pushing this bar to the limits. This SLK handlebar is designed with a nine-degree back- and four-degree up-sweep for excellent ergonomics.