Austin Bar - 20kg

Looks alone 5/5 stars. Can’t wait to break it in.

Looks alone 5/5 stars. Can’t wait to break it in.

This really is the perfect barbell. I bought the Gun Metal, and the thing is beautiful.Great knurling and very minimal spin. I don’t know how durable the blue chrome will be on the sleeves, but it is a perfect barbell.

There was some confusion in the ordering process; I intended on purchasing the Stainless Steel Austin Bar, but was sent the cerakoted Gunmetal version. Based on some reviews, I was worried the knurling would be too passive. IT IS NOT. Even the cerakoted version has good grip - Better than the stainless steel Rogue Ohio Bar and Rep Delta Basic bar. Plus, the color has some crazy aura.Upon trying to exchange for a stainless steel version (just so I could have a slightly more aggressive knurl and no potential wear issues), I found out that product will likely not be restocked, which was a bummer. The 28.5mm shaft feels great on deadlifts and rows, and the whip is low enough to not affect heavy lifts. The knurl is grippy, but not harsh. Since I'm using it in my garage gym, the cerakote actually does keep the bar feeling warmer in the hands on cold days, which is a nice bonus.The Austin Bar is absolutely the best all-around training bar if you want solid grip without tearing up your hands. My wife also likes using it.

There was some confusion in the ordering process; I intended on purchasing the Stainless Steel Austin Bar, but was sent the cerakoted Gunmetal version. Based on some reviews, I was worried the knurling would be too passive. IT IS NOT. Even the cerakoted version has good grip - Better than the stainless steel Rogue Ohio Bar and Rep Delta Basic bar. Plus, the color has some crazy aura.

Upon trying to exchange for a stainless steel version (just so I could have a slightly more aggressive knurl and no potential wear issues), I found out that product will likely not be restocked, which was a bummer.

The 28.5mm shaft feels great on deadlifts and rows, and the whip is low enough to not affect heavy lifts. The knurl is grippy, but not harsh. Since I'm using it in my garage gym, the cerakote actually does keep the bar feeling warmer in the hands on cold days, which is a nice bonus.

The Austin Bar is absolutely the best all-around training bar if you want solid grip without tearing up your hands. My wife also likes using it.

I already have a Rep power bar in cerakote, and was looking for a multi use bar in a SS finish. I decided to give the Austin Bar a shot and have no regrets whatsoever. Finish and details are excellent. I saw some other reviews saying the knurling was a bit passive. I do agree with them, but for being passive, it still has excellent grip. For explosive movements I find it perfect, and the center knurling isn't too aggressive in the front rack position. Exactly what I was looking for in a bar and can't recommend highly enough.

I already have a Rep power bar in cerakote, and was looking for a multi use bar in a SS finish. I decided to give the Austin Bar a shot and have no regrets whatsoever. Finish and details are excellent. I saw some other reviews saying the knurling was a bit passive. I do agree with them, but for being passive, it still has excellent grip. For explosive movements I find it perfect, and the center knurling isn't too aggressive in the front rack position. Exactly what I was looking for in a bar and can't recommend highly enough.

Great Bar!!! Solid and looks great.

First of all this is a gorgeous bar. On top of that, I got it for an amazing price. FringeSport does not skimp on quality and this bar is no exception. I got the stainless steel option and it is amazing. The only issue that I have with the bar is that the knurling is the softest that I have felt. I own/use the Midas bar and the Wonder bar, both fantastic bars, but I was specifically looking for a bar that was stainless steel and then Austin bar was released. I was really excited about this. I researched it, looked at other makers to compare. I finally looked at description comparisons between FS bars themselves and decided that it seemed like it was probably the same knurling as the wonder bar, but the WB version that I have is powder coated which dulls the knurling. With that, I concluded that the Austin bar (without coating) should be at least the same or more aggressive knurling than the wonder bar. Unfortunately I was mistaken. The knurling on the Austin Bar is some of the softest that I have ever felt on any bar, no matter the coating. I might be wrong but when I purchased the bar, the description said Medium Aggressive Knurling, as I type this it now says Medium Knurling. Again, the bar is a beautiful bar, the stainless finish is magnificent. But the knurling is very very soft. To be fair, Fringe Sport specializes in cross fit and therefore the bar knurling tends to be on the softer side so it doesn’t rip up your hands, I get it. However I would love for Fringe Sport to make an all Stainless Steel bar with a more aggressive knurl. And to be honest, I can’t do the (hyper) aggressive knurling of some bars (looking at you Kabuki Strength!) because due to my job I wash my hands so much that I cannot keep calluses on them. Even so, I would definitely love to see an aggressive volcano knurl by FringeSport at some point. That’s a bar that I would definitely buy, as long as it’s done in stainless steel. Conclusion: this is a great, well crafted bar, BUT the knurling is very soft just so you know what you are in for when you buy it.

First of all this is a gorgeous bar. On top of that, I got it for an amazing price. FringeSport does not skimp on quality and this bar is no exception. I got the stainless steel option and it is amazing. The only issue that I have with the bar is that the knurling is the softest that I have felt. I own/use the Midas bar and the Wonder bar, both fantastic bars, but I was specifically looking for a bar that was stainless steel and then Austin bar was released. I was really excited about this. I researched it, looked at other makers to compare. I finally looked at description comparisons between FS bars themselves and decided that it seemed like it was probably the same knurling as the wonder bar, but the WB version that I have is powder coated which dulls the knurling. With that, I concluded that the Austin bar (without coating) should be at least the same or more aggressive knurling than the wonder bar. Unfortunately I was mistaken. The knurling on the Austin Bar is some of the softest that I have ever felt on any bar, no matter the coating. I might be wrong but when I purchased the bar, the description said Medium Aggressive Knurling, as I type this it now says Medium Knurling. Again, the bar is a beautiful bar, the stainless finish is magnificent. But the knurling is very very soft. To be fair, Fringe Sport specializes in cross fit and therefore the bar knurling tends to be on the softer side so it doesn’t rip up your hands, I get it. However I would love for Fringe Sport to make an all Stainless Steel bar with a more aggressive knurl. And to be honest, I can’t do the (hyper) aggressive knurling of some bars (looking at you Kabuki Strength!) because due to my job I wash my hands so much that I cannot keep calluses on them. Even so, I would definitely love to see an aggressive volcano knurl by FringeSport at some point. That’s a bar that I would definitely buy, as long as it’s done in stainless steel. Conclusion: this is a great, well crafted bar, BUT the knurling is very soft just so you know what you are in for when you buy it.

Look, I’m not a barbell expert. I’m just a guy nearing the end of Starting Strength’s Novice Linear Progression, trying to stack plates and not mess it up. But this bar? It feels exactly right for where I’m at.The knurling is grippy without being harsh. The spin is smooth but not sloppy. And the end caps? Don’t even get me started. They’re so good they might trigger time travel—every time I load the bar, I wish I could jump back and start lifting heavier yesterday.It’s a small detail, but it matters. I want to like what I see when I load the bar, and this one delivers.Also, shoutout to the Nov 14, 2024 Instagram Reel—made unboxing easy for someone who’s not exactly handy. I got the bar out clean, and it looked perfect.If you’re like me—not a gearhead, just looking for something reliable that feels right—this bar deserves a serious look.I’d buy it again in a heartbeat.

Look, I’m not a barbell expert. I’m just a guy nearing the end of Starting Strength’s Novice Linear Progression, trying to stack plates and not mess it up. But this bar? It feels exactly right for where I’m at.

The knurling is grippy without being harsh. The spin is smooth but not sloppy. And the end caps? Don’t even get me started. They’re so good they might trigger time travel—every time I load the bar, I wish I could jump back and start lifting heavier yesterday.

It’s a small detail, but it matters. I want to like what I see when I load the bar, and this one delivers.

Also, shoutout to the Nov 14, 2024 Instagram Reel—made unboxing easy for someone who’s not exactly handy. I got the bar out clean, and it looked perfect.

If you’re like me—not a gearhead, just looking for something reliable that feels right—this bar deserves a serious look.

I’d buy it again in a heartbeat.

If I needed to stock a gym with high quality barbells this is the one i would pick. It leaves nothing to be desired. Everything about it is perfectly adequite for thr price point. The warrenty gives it a high value. The knurl is consistent and mild. The center knurl increases its utility. The bushings are very smooth. Beautiful barbell for the price, and for stainless, you probably cant find a sweeter deal.

I’ve been using the Fringe Sport Austin Barbell for a while now, and it has exceeded all expectations. The build quality is top-tier — the finish is not only sleek but also incredibly durable, resisting chips and corrosion even with regular use.What really stands out is the knurling: it strikes the perfect balance — grippy enough for heavy lifts without tearing up your hands. Plus, the center knurl makes this bar versatile for everything from Olympic lifts to squats and presses. It’s rare to find a bar that works this well across all major lifts.And honestly, you can’t beat the price for the level of quality you’re getting. It performs like a premium barbell but without the premium price tag. Whether you’re outfitting a home gym or upgrading your current setup, this bar is a no-brainer.

Great communication, great shipping, was my first order with Fringe and will be back! Great company to deal with. A+++

They were out of the stainless wonder bars so i got this one on sale. Luckliy the center knurling is not as agressive as the hand knurling which makes this good for movements where the bar touches your chest. The center knurl is a very light machining. I wanted a Colorado bar but they don't make them in stainless. This knurling matches the Colorado bar valcano knurling. I went to the REP store in PA last week and this bar feels identical to the Colorado with the exception of center knurling. Also the way this bar was packaged was completely identical to the REP double diamond bar I bought last week. The machining is top notch and the sleeves rotate smoothly. What a great deal.

I was impressed the second I opened up the package. I got Glacier Blue and the colors of the bar and the sleeves are incredibly satisfying to look at. Using the bar, it feels very natural in my hands, both with size and the knurling. I've used bars across tons of gyms in the southeast and midwest and never ran into one that feels this solid and grippy without feeling like my skin is tearing. If this color was available in other bars like a curl bar and open trap bar, I would not hesitate getting them.

I bought this bar as an all around bar, but primarily for squatting (high bar) and deadlifting (conventional). I wanted center knurling for squatting and decent knurling for deadlifting but not so much that I'd destroy my neck squatting. I don't have small hands, but their not huge either so I also wanted a 28.5mm diameter for a better grip over a traditional power bar. Currently, these specs essentially leave you with the Texas Power Bar, Rogue Chan and Hybrid bars, and the Austin bar. I went with this bar in stainless steel because I thought the Chan bar knurling would be too wide for my conventional deadlift hand placement and I thought the Texas Power Bar and Hybrid Bar knurling would be too aggressive on my neck for squatting (I will admit that I've never seen these bars in person for comparison). Based on the description and photos, the Austin Bar knurling seemed to be slightly more aggressive than the Ohio Power Bar and therefore a sweet spot. Instead, I find the Ohio Power Bar to be more aggressive than the Austin. To me, the bar feels like a fine sand paper in chalked hands deadlifting with no discomfort on your neck squatting. Maybe a lighter knurling is what you're looking for, but I personally wish the grooves were deeper and slightly wider.This type of bar is naturally a balance of a few things, so it's also worth commenting that the 28.5mm Austin Bar is noticeably whippier than a 29mm but also noticeably stiffer than a 28mm. I don't necessarily think that's a good or a bad thing, depending on what you're after. Just know it really is a hybrid bar. My 2 star rating is reflective of how well I think this meets my purposes (especially for the price I paid), not the quality of the overall product. It very well could be 4 or 5 star for you.

I bought this bar as an all around bar, but primarily for squatting (high bar) and deadlifting (conventional). I wanted center knurling for squatting and decent knurling for deadlifting but not so much that I'd destroy my neck squatting. I don't have small hands, but their not huge either so I also wanted a 28.5mm diameter for a better grip over a traditional power bar. Currently, these specs essentially leave you with the Texas Power Bar, Rogue Chan and Hybrid bars, and the Austin bar. I went with this bar in stainless steel because I thought the Chan bar knurling would be too wide for my conventional deadlift hand placement and I thought the Texas Power Bar and Hybrid Bar knurling would be too aggressive on my neck for squatting (I will admit that I've never seen these bars in person for comparison). Based on the description and photos, the Austin Bar knurling seemed to be slightly more aggressive than the Ohio Power Bar and therefore a sweet spot. Instead, I find the Ohio Power Bar to be more aggressive than the Austin.

To me, the bar feels like a fine sand paper in chalked hands deadlifting with no discomfort on your neck squatting. Maybe a lighter knurling is what you're looking for, but I personally wish the grooves were deeper and slightly wider.

This type of bar is naturally a balance of a few things, so it's also worth commenting that the 28.5mm Austin Bar is noticeably whippier than a 29mm but also noticeably stiffer than a 28mm. I don't necessarily think that's a good or a bad thing, depending on what you're after. Just know it really is a hybrid bar.

My 2 star rating is reflective of how well I think this meets my purposes (especially for the price I paid), not the quality of the overall product. It very well could be 4 or 5 star for you.

Item was well received and better than expected. SS Austin bar is top notch. I was Mistakenly sent the SS bar instead of the blue bar and tried to return it through customer service and the offered to allow me to keep it and gave me a $30 gift card for being honest. Couldn’t ask for a better outcome. Big ups!!

The beautiful Glacier Blue aside, the 28.5 mm shaft diameter is perfect for my needs and the knurling is the best I’ve experienced on any bar. It feels super secure in my hands when benching, doing shoulder presses, and dead’s. Fantastic addition to my home gym.

The beautiful Glacier Blue aside, the 28.5 mm shaft diameter is perfect for my needs and the knurling is the best I’ve experienced on any bar. It feels super secure in my hands when benching, doing shoulder presses, and dead’s. Fantastic addition to my home gym.