CAP 48-Inch Olympic Super Curl Bar, Elite, Chrome, 500lb Capacity

It's hard to go wrong with a curl bar for ~$40. I got the Elite with chrome finish. The knurling was more aggressive than what I expected for a budget bar, a pleasant surprise. It's actually sharper than the volcano knurling on the REP multi-grip cable attachment that I have. A assume they knurled the bar this way so the knurling would be still be reasonably effective when it's painted over for the black version. As other reviewers have commented, the sleeves squeaked and made a lot of noise out of the box. I disassembled the sleeves, cleaned out any metal dust in bushings and applied some synthetic grease. No noise any more. One downside of the knurling is that it actually extends 2 inches past the brass bushings in the sleeves. It will wear down the bushings over time as the bushings rotate over the knurling. However, this would likely take thousands of reps. The inner curves of the bar feel good for close grip skull crushers and other triceps exercises. The wider grips are the right width for curls. My bar didn't come with the pictured, cheap, set screw style collars. I would have thrown them away anyway, so no loss. You'll need a set of internal snap ring pliers and a 10 mm hex key to disassemble the sleeves, although I was able to get away with a 3/8" hex key. I was going to ding a star off the review for the knurling that extends under the bushings and the need to disassemble to clean up and lube the bushings, but it's a sub $50 curl bar. With prices rising for even basic workout equipment, this bar is a solid value.

The bar has end caps covering a standard bolt end. I got it and the sleeves kinda stuck and seemed super low end. I pulled off the retaining rings and the end caps then removed the standard barbell bolts and washers underneath the end caps. I pulled off the sleeves and rubbed off the chrome dust and flakes and manufacturing stuff that was stuck inside. I covered the bushings with 3 in 1 oil and reassembled the sleeves. The sleeves spin as well as they can now. The knurling goes slightly under the bushings so it doesn't spin great but it works. The knurling is passive but goes over most of the curves so it works well enough. I got the bar at a great price so I think this bar is pretty good.

My ONLY complaint is that they weren't lubed before shipping. This is a common trend for all manufacturers, so 4.5/5 stars for that. They're easy to disassemble with snap ring pliers, then you can lube the bearings with ease, reassemble, and you're good for years. Absolutely quiet after lube applied!

Perfect

Versital barbell