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Carbon handlebars - Worth it ?

  • 27-08-2009 10:48am
    #1
    Murph100
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,088 ✭✭✭


    Just getting around to changing my bars from the fugly Deda Sfida Anatomic Anchors, but the alloy version of the replacement is out of stock however the carbon version is there but €100 euro more.

    Yeah it looks cool and is lighter BUT are ya really that fecked if ya take a tumble ?


Comments

  • #2
    crashoveroid
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 911 ✭✭✭crashoveroid


    Yeah it cant take a hit carbon does not just break it explodes stick to alloy or if you can find a carbon wrapped bar that would be better..


  • #3
    Murph100
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,088 ✭✭✭Murph100


    Yeah, deep down thats what I was thinking alright, but my shallow side was putting up a LOT of resistance !! :)


  • #4
    crashoveroid
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 911 ✭✭✭crashoveroid


    We all have our weak moments there should be a place to phone to knock some sense into us.


  • #5
    blorg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,995 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    Carbon does not explode when it takes a knock, that is crap. Indeed, it is probably stronger than most lightweight alloys. The problem is that you can have internal damage to carbon that is not so apparent while alloys have more of a tendency to show they are damaged (and bend) before they just snap on you.

    Having said that it will take a very bad impact to damage carbon in my experience. If you have not crashed them badly and use a torque wrench sticking them on I would have no worry about carbon bars.

    The general advice with any bars, certainly lightweight alloy, is replace if they have a bad impact. I know Tom had alloy bars snap on him so it is no way limited to carbon.

    If you have crashed them badly, then yes, there is an issue and indeed I am in the process of replacing my own at the moment... but I don't know I would feel any more comfortable keeping lightweight alloy bars on the bike after the same crash.

    Supposedly it damps vibration better and that is the key benefit... I don't know, I think it does do that a bit but who knows, could be my imagination. Carbon bars I have used HAVE been much stiffer than lightweight alloy ones, while being a smidge lighter.


  • #6
    Murph100
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,088 ✭✭✭Murph100


    Arrrgghhhhhh !!! The Dark One strikes ;)


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  • #7
    DirkVoodoo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,509 ✭✭✭✭DirkVoodoo


    Blorg is spot on. I mean people race on carbon mountain bikes for crying out loud. As long as you remember to inspect it properly after it takes a knock (a knock being a good thump, not bumping it against a wall) then it should be fine.

    The big thing is that carbon parts are more sensitive to the correct torque than alloy parts. You can get away with over-tightening an alloy part, it's highly advisable to get a torque wrench if you plan on getting those carbon bars though.


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