A regular-length barbell clocks in at about 87 inches and 45 lbs, with 16.5-inch loadable sleeves—perfect if you need it, a pain if you don’t. That’s where rackable short bars shine, with trimmed sleeves for tighter spaces. We’re pitting three top contenders: the Rogue C-70S, REP Colorado Short Bar, and Rogue Stump Bar. Let’s dive in.
The Rogue C-70S is a shorter take on their Ohio Bar, but it differs with composite bushings and thicker, zippier sleeve rings compared to the Ohio Bar’s bronze bushings and low-profile (finer-ringed) sleeves. Composite bushings are said to be quieter, while bronze ones spin better—and my testing shows the C-70S’s composites spin about half as well as the Stump Bar’s bronze bushings.
The C-70S measures 72 inches long, weighs 33 pounds (15 kg), and has a 28.5mm shaft (29mm with knurling), with 190K PSI tensile strength matching the Ohio Bar. My main issue is the black Cerakote-filled volcano knurling, which feels too passive compared to the other bars here. At $295 plus shipping, it feels dated with those ringed sleeves.
REP Colorado Short Bar: The shortest of REP’s Colorado lineup, with composite bushings and hard chrome sleeves. Also 72 inches, 33 lbs, and a 28.5mm shaft (29mm knurled). The sleeves have fine rings (still a bit noisy), but the medium knurling is grippy and sharp—much better than the C-70S.
Rogue Stump Bar: A compact take on the Ohio Power Bar (OPB). The OPB has a 205K PSI tensile strength compared to the Stump’s 200K PSI, but the Stump earns Rogue’s highest drop rating of F16 versus the OPB’s F8.
The stump is 68.3 inches long, weighs 30 pounds even, and has a 29mm stainless steel shaft (29.5 with knurling). The sleeves have bronze bushings and finer rings than the Colorado Bar. Very nice spin, but still zippy.
The knurling is an aggressive deep volcano that feels premium, but took a couple of days to get used to. Too sharp for me without gloves.
My Take
Color: I’ve always liked the look of black bars in videos but in person I’m not a fan. I think the black looks kinda cheap. It’s like staring into a black hole and I have a harder time lining my hands up for benching. The stainless is highly visible.
Knurling: The C-70S looks great up close but feels too tame. The Colorado Short Bar’s knurling hits a solid medium with some stick. Rogue’s Stump Bar/Ohio Power Bar has a deep volcano knurling that’s intense at first but feels premium compared to the others. I like it more everyday.
Shaft Material: Cerakote can clog up knurling, like on the C-70S, but the REP bar still feels decent, like they planned for it. Stainless steel needs more care but fights rust better over time, since Cerakote wears out and the metal under it isn’t as tough.
Sleeves: The C-70S sports basic bright zinc sleeves with thick rings and composite bushings with so-so spin. The Colorado Short Bar’s hard chrome sleeves, with finer rings, deliver a smoother, longer spin than the C-70S. The Stump Bar, with its mystery sleeve material and finest rings, has bronze bushings that glide with top-tier finesse.
Specs
| Specification | Rogue C-70S Bar | REP Colorado Short Bar | Rogue 29mm Stump Bar |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 72″ | 72″ | 68.3125″ |
| Weight | 15 kg (33.1 lbs) | 15 kg (33.1 lbs) | 30 lbs |
| Shaft Diameter | 28.5 mm (29 with knurl) | 28.5 mm (29 with knurl) | 29 mm (29.5 with knurl) |
| Knurl Type | Multi (volcano, passive due to Cerakote) | Medium (chopped mountain, dual markings) | Aggressive (deep volcano, with center knurl) |
| n | No | No | Yes, big time! |
| Loadable Sleeve Length | 8.9″ | 8.9″ | 7.3125″ spec (we get 7.5″) |
| Bushing/Bearing | Composite bushings | Composite bushings | Bronze bushings |
| Finish Options | Shaft: Black Cerakote; Sleeves: Bright Zinc | Shaft: Black Cerakote; Sleeves: Hard Chrome | Shaft: Stainless Steel; Sleeves: Matte Black Mystery Meat |
| Tensile Strength | 190,000 PSI | Not specified (high-quality steel) | 200,000 PSI |
| Price | $295 ($15 shipping) | $249.99 (free shipping) | $350 ($15 shipping) |
| Warranty | Lifetime | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Where’s it Made | USA | Earth | USA |
Bottom Line
Skip the Rogue C-70S—the passive knurling, cheap-looking end cap, and thick rings aren’t worth the cost. The Colorado Short Bar is a great choice for glove-free comfort, a solid medium knurl, and smooth spinning sleeves at a great price.
For me, it’s the Stump Bar all the way. I prefer the stainless steel finish, thicker bar, premium knurling, bronze bushings, and more compact length. Check out REP Fitness and Rogue Fitness for the latest deals to find the right one for you.
Check out this video review to see these bad bars in action: See ya!
