This review covers a complete Rogue deadlift setup used for roughly four years: the Ohio Deadlift Bar, the 26’ER Wagon Wheels, and the Rogue Aluminum Collars. None of this was purchased to create an “all-Rogue” package—it happened organically over time. The question is whether that same buying path would make sense if starting from scratch today.
Rogue Ohio Deadlift Bar
The Ohio Deadlift Bar is purpose-built for pulling: 27 mm shaft diameter, approximately 90.5” overall length (longer than a standard 86.5” power bar), and no center knurl. The thinner shaft and extended length increase whip. Practically, the whip shows up around three plates (315 lb) and becomes more obvious from there. It lets you “pull the slack” before the plates break from the floor, helping you settle into a more advantageous start position—provided you know how to load the bar correctly. If you transition from a stiff bar and try to yank from zero tension, the rebound can kick back and make the lift feel worse. With a little practice, most lifters will be stronger on a deadlift bar.
This particular bar is a red Cerakote model. Rogue’s site calls the knurl aggressive; in hand, it reads more “moderate,” likely because Cerakote softens the bite. Grip is still very good, but lifters who want a sharp, sink-in knurl may prefer other finishes. If buying again, a black zinc or bare steel shaft would be the short list for more tactile bite; an e-coat or Cerakote shaft remains the smarter pick for corrosion resistance.
Build quality is excellent: tight tolerances, bronze bushings in the sleeves, and the expected 27 mm/long-bar geometry that gives a true deadlift-bar feel. The major downside isn’t the shaft—it’s Cerakote on the sleeves. Like every Cerakote-sleeved bar, the coating scuffs immediately from plate contact and continues to wear over time. That’s not a Rogue-specific problem; it’s just what happens when coated sleeves meet steel hubs.
Would this exact Ohio Deadlift Bar be the automatic pick again? Not necessarily. It’s a great bar and has held up very well, but since purchasing, several appealing options have emerged. The Texas Deadlift Bar remains a classic, American Barbell offers a compelling alternative, and the Kabuki deadlift bar had an eye-catching design (though it’s no longer in active production). Pricewise, expect upper-$300s to low-$400s depending on finish. For a first deadlift bar, the Ohio is an easy recommendation; some boutique models run even longer and whippier, which can be harder to learn on if you’re new to deadlift bars.
Rogue 26’ER Wagon Wheels
Before the 26’ERs, a set of Titan wagon wheels (a direct take on the original Mark Bell/Rogue design) lived in the gym. Those were full-metal 45s and did the job dimensionally, but they produced a piercing, unpleasant sound on contact with the floor—bad enough that using in-ear headphones became a necessity. They were sold off and replaced with Rogue’s 26ers.
The 26’ERs function like oversized bumper plates. Each plate weighs 70 lb and includes cutouts for easier handling—useful, because a pair puts 140 lb on the bar before collars. Add the 45 lb bar and you’re warming up at 185 whether you like it or not. That starting point is either a feature (if you’re very strong and want to skip straight to midrange warm-ups) or a downside (if you prefer smaller jumps).
Performance is solid, with one caveat specific to rubber-on-rubber. On stall mats, as the load climbs and the bar begins to whip, the plates can drag slightly toward the lifter during the initial pull. You can feel and even hear that friction right before the plates break from the floor, which changes the sensation compared to a rack pull or a deadlift from steel plates. The 26’ERs still get occasional use, but for elevated pulls, a rack setup with strap safeties has become the preferred approach. Straps make height adjustments easy (especially with Westside hole spacing), protect the bar, and cut noise dramatically—without being locked to a fixed wagon-wheel height. For those without a rack/strap option, the 26’ERs are far more convenient than juggling blocks. If you want a lighter “wagon wheel” feel, the original Mark Bell metal version at 45 lb per side remains an option; no direct experience here with its noise profile.
Rogue Aluminum Collars
For deadlifts specifically, these collars are outstanding. They’re extremely light, clamp with serious tension, and do not budge—even through multiple-rep sets around 500 lb. The spring-loaded action snaps open with force, so fingers need to be clear when unclamping. Because of that snap and because bench/squat don’t produce the same lateral plate migration, other collars (e.g., standard Lock-Jaw style) are still handy for presses. But for pulling, the Rogue aluminum collars stand out as the go-to choice.
Verdict
All three pieces remain in regular rotation. The Ohio Deadlift Bar is an excellent deadlift-specific bar with quality construction and predictable whip; the only hesitation is finish choice and the inevitable sleeve wear with Cerakote. The 26’ERs are well made and convenient but not essential when a rack with strap safeties is available; they’re great if you need an elevated pull without a rack solution, less compelling if you do. The aluminum collars are an unequivocal yes for deadlifting—secure, light, and reliable.
If rebuilding a deadlift setup today, the bar choice would be revisited to prioritize a grippier finish, the collars would be purchased again without question, and the wagon wheels would be a maybe—useful in specific scenarios, but secondary to a good rack-and-strap configuration for most training.