REP Deep Knurl Power Bar EX - Best Bar Ever? 

I think they used to offer a discount for doing this right?

Not sure about the discount, but not having to pay shipping is a nice discount if you live there. Apparently they have a SECA machine on site for body mass testing as well. (Unfortunately, I live nowhere near Denver.)

@@Doing_It_Wrong kinda the luxury of living on Ohio. Rogue is a 2 hour or so drive from most if the state.

@@BasementBrandon there is no discount for local pickup. They offer military discount though. Their show room room is pretty cool and they have a area in the back with all their "bone yard" and sale items.

It's not a factory, it's a warehouse, the factory is in China

appreciate that man.

I think they cut my review short, I'm a man of a lot of words lol. Did you get yours in?

Really putting out some good stuff at good price points

Interested to hear your thoughts!

about to order one too ayee!!

@@BasementBrandon love the knurl...love the stiffness of the bar as well. Been using an Ohio Bar, this is a great upgrade for the main powerlifts. It's a beautiful bar all in SS as well :)

You'll love it!

Appreciate the first hand feedback!

Curious to hear your thoughts!

@@BasementBrandon So the bar is excellent. Way more aggressive / tacky knurl than my bare steel Capps Texas PB bought back in 2011. I feel like there are more mountains per inch on the Rep EX bar vs the TPB. The knurl mountains are sharp, but shallower and more densely packed on the EX bar vs TPB. I also noticed the increased 29mm thickness of the Rep EX vs the 28.5 TPB... it's subtle but noticeable if you're used to the TPB. I really like this thickness in the bench and squat. The thing almost grips to your body when squatting (hard to explain). I pull hook grip and it locks this bar into my hands very well with the knurling (probably won't be the best though for sets over 3 reps, but it's not designed for this anyway). I will say my bar arrived slightly damaged (divots in the non knurled section and a radial valley (slight indent) on one of the sleeves). I'm working with REP fitness currently to amend this issue. I'm sure they will make it right based on their reputation. The FB-5000 Flat bench I received in RED is excellent too! All in all I see this bar lasting as long as you want it to last in your gym (maybe a lifetime).

JKeetonKnives awesome insight and feedback. Glad you were not disappointed

@@BasementBrandon To follow up; REP did not disappoint. They're sending a replacement and a label to return the damaged in shipping bar.

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Garage Gym Lab what happened to you man? You stopped making videos. I bought a rep SS v2 bar on clearance sale and watched your review maybe 10x. My bar arrives in 2 days..

Albien Batac hey bud, glad it was helpful! I’ll get back on the RU-vid train in time. Just focusing more on website content right now, including a big project I’m working on for my site. Gotta prioritize with a full time job and family! Haha.

I do not like to admit that you were right, but you were right :)

Right, and it's on closeout for like $200 which is a steal.

Def a good deal. the knurling is medium (and more passive from ring to sleeve) but for $200 is still a great bar!

Yeah i read about the knurling beign abit more passive that the one youve reviewed. I am set on the opb when the ROGUE sale drops. but im keeping a close eye on the rep SS closeout just incase. The quality in REP is there for sure. Keep up the great reviews comin’💪🏻

agreed!

I think that depends on your previous experience. Personally I think either is fine for high rep work for the lifts you mention, but if you don't like aggressive bars, the OPB would prob be the better choice, or Rep makes a "Stainless Steel Power Bar V2" that has medium to passive knurling.

Awesome! I need to get back into using mine!

It's a RM3. I bought the plate storage just in case, but with the half rack feet I've added the rack is super sturdy without it.

The rep bar has smooth sleeves.

I think it's just a bit more recessed so they needed it to clean up the slop

Thanks u sir.

Hopefully some good deals!

I would actually say something with slightly thinner collars like the 20kg OPB.

I have not yet, pixel peeping it does look like the rep is cut sharper (not as volcano) as the 2x, but the 3x would for sure be sharper.

Maybe one of these days!

Depends on the federation. USAPL usually uses Eleiko, uspa usually texas bars, etc.

The USPA California meets I have done use Buddy Capps Bars . Steve Dennison , President of USPA is trying to procure more Kabuki bars.

I can do an update on my bars but I haven't seen much on my end.

@E he said it in the video about the stainless steel curl bar.

I don't mind it but get what you're saying. I'd really like to see someone come out and do custom end caps. Would be cool to get your gym name or a saying on your bar.

Brandon Campbell Diamond that’s a really good idea.

Whole bar held up great for the 2 years I owned it. I sold it to my friend however as I just have too many bars.

Ha holding off until I'm in the new house before any major purchases!

agreed!

@@BasementBrandon quality is still not great tho, bent attachments, paint peels off the rack relatively easily, so still room to go...

SolarWind eh while they are a step below some of the more expensive competitors, the same can be said about anyone. Take a look at some of the stuff people are posting about Rogue and Sorinex. The damage comes in the shipping process.

I'd defer to Adam from GarageGymLab who has both. Based off his feedback though I'd say they're very similar, but the Rep bar comes in at $200 less and is the better buy.

I don't have much experience here unfortunately!

Did not, one of the few things I kept!!

Depends on if you like it rough!

They also have a new SS power bar v2. It's a great power bar that only has a medium knurl, but is SS on shaft and sleeves.

Prob a 28.5mm bar. 28mm is more for olympic lifting.

Nice, main difference is the knurl!

Yes I do. From what I understand the bar itself will be fairly similar minus the new branding and some aesthetics.

@@BasementBrandon Thanks Brandon. Just put in an order for the Deep Knurl Ex 😎.

What's the concern? I see a few comments regarding noise. Some sort of sensitivity issue?

@@BasementBrandon yeah. Misophonia, hyperacusis, and worsening tinnitus. I'm borderline trapped in my house. Weight lifting noises are pain. I'm trying to find the quietest barbell possible.

I'd say very similar.

I appreciate that!

My OPB doesn't have rigid sleeves, but it is slightly grooved

My rep bar has very smooth sleeves.

It's a fantastic deal, it's harder to find on their site so I don't think many people know about it. I just posted it on IG actually lol

@@BasementBrandon so did I. But my only followers are my mom and some weird Danish dude who keeps coming on to me. I'm starting to suspect they are the same person tho.

Lucas Franco mine arrived with a bend in it but straightened it out, so no big deal. The knurl on mine is super aggressive - much more than my Texas Power Bar. Overall I dig my ODB

@@Blackbeard_Barbell what do you mean a bend? Like the bar was bent?

Lucas Franco yep - the shaft had a bend near the collar and would wobble if rolled across the floor. I used a hydraulic jack and some braces to straighten it back out.

That's awesome you fixed it but you should contact rogue and get a bigger discount or another bar sent. Defects should only be cosmetic.

I have two boneyard bars, an OPB and an Ohio bar, both in stainless and I love them. Holding up great!

So the Ohio bar is also 28.5mm vs 29mm, so will give you slightly more whip. The knurling is also finer and not as aggressive, so easier on the hands. Rep's equivalent would be something like their Excalibur bar.

@@BasementBrandon thanks for the quick reply! The all stainless collars are what I like. Does the center knurl actually make a difference with squat? I've only ever used commercial gym bars.

Chase I prefer it especially under heavy load, but it’s not necessary.

Woo!

They're all about the same here as same diameter, tensile, collars, and distance between weights.

I do like it a lot. I find I use my SS OPB which I got out of the boneyard for like $250, but really comes down to knurl preference.

@@BasementBrandon The REP bar looks pretty nice but I did quite a bit of research over the last 2 days, I think I nailed it down to the Rogue OPB (either raw steel or SS) and I was trying not to go Rogue! I also have a Vulcan Abs. SS PB that I love (aggressive knurl). Thanks, your video helped.

@@dho11 David! Talk to me about that Absolute SS brother! How aggressive is it? Have you been able to compare it to other bars? Do you use it for higher reps? Lastly, are the mountain tops slightly shaved off like in the Rep Deep Knurl images? Reviews consistently say the Rep Deep Knurl and the Vulcan SS are very similar, but I've yet to see an up-close, quality photo of the Vulcan knurl the way that one can find good close-ups of the OPB, Rep bars, etc. Thanks for any insight you can provide!

Maybe in Europe, but I would say that's not the case in the US

Depends on what you want. If i had to rate the aggressiveness out of 10, the V2 is prob a 5, the EX is like an 8.5.

@@BasementBrandon ok thanks. So knowing that the Eleiko comp bars hurt my hands during hookgrip and even bench sometimes I would probably be safe with the EX? Assuming Eleikos are about a 10/10 on knurl?

Daniel Notary yep!

@@BasementBrandon thanks man. I will now be patient even harder.

@@BasementBrandon What would you rate the OPB?

Olympic lifting where you want the shaft and plates to spin more freely.

Brandon Campbell Diamond thank you I was so confuse with it and what’s a speed bar ? Make a video about bars

J R their speed bar is more marketing, they don’t have knurling out towards the end of the sleeves so that it will move better when on a j cup.

Disagree, 29mm is superior for power bars IMO, the rep bar has better knurl, and the better finish. The Titan bar is cheaper, but if you're trying to save money, an OPB is a better buy still.

Brandon Campbell Diamond Fair points but a Texas Power Bar is 28.5 mm(same as the Titan PB). I tend to prefer competing in feds that use all the Texas Bars so this works best for me.

Shane Tumminello my issue is the TPB gets whippy around 400+ lbs so when using it on squats and deads it’s not ideal. The feds that use a TPB also typically use their squat and dl bars as well, so I’d rather get a stiffer 29mm bar that can be used for all 3 lifts.

Brandon Campbell Diamond Ok you win lol

They treat me well.

Disagree. The westside 2.0 is less aggressive than the 1.0 which I owned. Maybe you used an older eleiko or a training bar.

@@BasementBrandon It's comp bar, but maybe eleiko is more worn up because people in my gym prefer it. BTW my view of "A sharp-knurled WPB is less grippy than a worn up Eleiko" remains the same

Lol I liked my strength shop bastard power bar.

Too aggressive of a shaft to poke fun of.

appreciate the feedback

I see your point, however you won't find consistency in bars across the same feds anyways, so might as well get the best bar for your buck. I've seen USAPL meets that have used Rogue, Titex, Eleiko, Texas Power, Kabuki, and Ivanko.

Brandon Campbell Diamond Fair enough! Here in Ireland there is only 1 tested fed that’s worth competing in and they usually use the Rogue bar, I didn’t think there would be so much diversity within the USAPL, thanks for the reply!

@@LiamMcManusGuitar Yeah the local meets here are pretty much a free for all. As long as they meet specs people can use whatever they want. As you get into state/regional/national level meets you see more consistency!

Brandon Campbell Diamond This bar makes a lot more sense now, thanks for the explanation!

Nice! Glad you got in before the prices went up!

Brandon Campbell Diamond am waiting for that Ironmaster BF to drop and get the 15% off on the adjustable dumbbells

Do they still offer discounts for picking up locally?

​@@BasementBrandon I don't know if they ever did. Are you sure you aren't thinking of Fringe. I know they offer a discount since they have free shipping.

lol

While they're a nice touch, i don't think they're as neccessary.

@@BasementBrandon rogue has stainless sleeves as an option now, but its 470$ for the ohio power bar with stainless shaft and sleeves.

I'd like some equipped training footage.

I just put some up last week!

Yeah resale def isn't there yet, but I do see them holding value more down the road as Rep becomes more popular. That being said, I grabbed my Stainless OPB for like $250 as well and was one of my best buys!

@@BasementBrandon have you bought anything from the Matte Black November sale yet? The Ohio Deadlift Bar was interesting but not enough to make me jump at the price. I keep watching the Boneyard.

Wild Bill I’m holding off until next year. Boneyard has some 20kg stainless OPBs today but they went quick.

@@BasementBrandon yeah. Nothing really jumped out yet. Unless they add some new stuff which it seems they may. I'm going to keep an eye out for a raw Ohio Deadlift Bar and Cerakote it myself. Unfortunately it's winter here on the shores of Lake Erie so it will not be till next spring.

D T what about it?

@@SeptemberObituary I think with the similar price, and quality, American made could sway some folks. Americans anyway.

D T are rep fitness not made In the us? If not then I would rather go with rogue and like you said for those that aren’t American they couldn’t care less

@@SeptemberObituary Rep's bar is imported. I believe from 🇨🇳. Rogue is made in the US from US steel.

I think that will likely come into play for some, but the quality of this is on par with what's made here, so I didn't get too into it as there's not really a difference. I'd like to see them get the bar down in price slightly more as I think a lot of people will still pick Rogue given the similar cost.

Who do you think sells more strength equipment?

@@BasementBrandon REP Fitness is just as good. I'm not picky and I do not need all the bells and whistles.

We're not talking about who you like and dislike, we're talking about sales. While Rep has some solid offerings, including this bar, they don't move a fraction of the product that Rogue does.

@@BasementBrandon Comprehension shouldn't be as much of a skill as it apparently is, haha!

Right on