This post happens every year or so , and every time I see it I post my personal experience I only have this bar , have never used a nicer bar like a rogue . I have loaded it with 450 lbs and it did fine . I weekly have had 300425 for the last year or so on it . I ' ve been using it for about 2 years I ' d guess , no real issues . It is slowly getting a slight bend and the collar is slowly working it ' s way off the sleeve , I imagine I can get another year out of it at least . I love the knurling , and the bar overall , and hope the more expensive bars serve me even better . The weights are fine , the handles are nice as opposed to weights that have no handle . General rule of thumb on weights is $ 1 lb , so 300 lbs of weights plus a bar for $ 150 is a great deal . TLDR great for the price , especially with the weights , don ' t overspend to start