CAP Solid Olympic Super Curl Bar, Bronze Bushings, Chrome,48 inches (New Version) (OBIS-48-3)

Great quality

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.

As advertised

Gave this bar a two star for several reasons and maybe should be a one. The brass bushings very loose. While trying to spin, it locks up. Very poor packaging, the box is beat to hell and bar with all kinds of chrome chips of it. Does not spin, so nowbi got to take it apart and slap grease in it or return it.

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!