I have read and heard many times that "cheap" bars usually warp if loaded beyond about 200 lbs/91kg. I only weigh about 115 or a bit under and have zero plans ever to go beyond 2 or 2 1/2X bw in DL so really can't imagine ever lifting over 300 lbs/136kg. Also certain I will never ever do Oly lifts, just the big 3 power lifts. Given all that, could I likely get away w/ a cheap CAP bar or similar? I'd love to use a 2" axle but I think size of my hands makes that impractical.
Cheap Olympic Bars
An Olympic Bar for home has around 300 lb to 600 lbs. 5 ft and 6 ft bars are usually rated for about 350 lbs.
As other have told you, the 5 ft Olympic Bar will not fit on an Olympic Bench, the 6 ft will.
The 7 ft Olympic Bar are rated for around 600 lb. That sound like a lot. However, they can and will bend over time sub limit loads (less than 600 lbs) when preforming Rack Deadlift Pulls.
However, the biggest issue, as per...
Steve W's Post
"Those short CAP bars also have bolt-on sleeves (the sleeves are held on by big bolts on the ends). These suck. They continually come loose and have to be retightened, which is a constant pain in the butt, and they are only found on low quality bars."
As Steve noted, this is the biggest problem with Cheap Bars (All brands including Cap). Eventually, the big bolt that hold the sleeve) will come out and keeps coming out.
Reinserting that big bolt with Lock Tight glue usually helps but doesn't mean it won't come back out.
If something happens to the bolt and it needs to be replace, that can be a problem. Bolts like that are hard to find.
You can find the bolts on Amazon; however, the threading on the bolt may or may not work on for you bar.
Which bring us to a...
1200 lb Plus Commercially Rated Bar
In the long run a 1200 lb or higher (1500 lb) Olympic Bar is the better value.
Usually the main difference between a 1200 lb and 1500 lb Rated Olympic Bar (besides the price) is...
1) The 1200 lb Rated Bar doesn't have knurling in the center.
2) The 1500 lb Rated Bar has knurling in the center. Knurling in the center of the bar means when you use if you preform a Low Bar "Powerlifing Squat" the knurling digs into your back, the bar isn't going to slide down.
"You can pay me now or pay me later."
Whoever said this about purchasing cheap items was right. A good Olympic Bar will last; cheap bar don't last.
Kenny Croxdale