Carbon Bars + 'Cross = Ouch

[SheFly]

DH TOLD me to warm up on the trainer, but I HATE the trainer and decided instead to go warm up on the roads. I cruised up the pavement from the parking lot, and took a right by a school. Knowing that the pavement isn't good on my 'cross tires, I hopped up to ride on the grass alongside the sidewalk, and BOOM - hit a hole. As I was headed off my bike, I heard a snap and knew this was going to 1) hurt a lot, and 2) damage my bike. I was right on both counts (and I'm still really sore, two days later).

A HUGE thanks to my teammate (and National Champion) - she let me race her BRAND NEW Redline after a pedal swap and a quick lesson on how to work the SRAM shifters. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't have been able to race, so thanks, Julie!

Unfortunately, because my head wasn't really in the game after crashing so hard, and I was riding a bike I didn't know (have to say, not a big fan of the SRAM...), I didn't end up doing that well in the race - finishing 10th out of 12 starters. It's too bad too - the course was FAST and FUN.

Sadly, instead of heading up to the house in Bethel, we had to drive back to MA to buy and install new [aluminum] bars and cables on my bike to prep for the next day's race.

In this case though, a picture is worth more than 1000 words....

[mimitabby]

thanks for sharing the picture. Gosh, and you're just a little thing too, aren't you!!

i hope you feel better soon.

[SheFly]

Gosh, and you're just a little thing too, aren't you!!

I wish . Five foot 10, and about 150 lbs. Not so little... Thankfully, Julie rides a frame just one size smaller than mine, so we worked it out nicely.

Thanks, mimi, for the well wishes!

SheFly

[mimitabby]

oh, duly noted; you are not tiny, but you're not a heavyweight either.

[velogirl]

I love carbon, but would never consider it for bar or stem on my cross bike. At a race yesterday, one of my teammates broke her carbon bar -- during the race. Luckily, she wasn't hurt, but at the right/wrong moment, that break could be disastrous. She bought the bike used from a pro rider and my guess is it probably saw a few crashes in the past, compromising the integrity of the bar. It broke while she was just riding.

Glad you're okay, SheFly!

[Trekhawk]

OUCH!!!!

Glad you are ok and well done for still racing.

[RoadRaven]

Whoa SheFly!!!

So pleased you were ok and able to still ride, but disappointing to be riding an unfamiliar bike.

Those bars are the same as my 16year old son's!

*Note to self, find way to carry spare handle bars in seat bag*

[Beane]

Here's my DH's saddle and seatpost after his race this weekend...

[SheFly]

YOWZA! I hope he is ok. I still run a carbon seatpost, but have switched to aluminum bars...

SheFly

[ridebikeme]

Ummm... glad to hear that you are ok!

I agree with many of the others, would NOt use a carbon handlebar/stem on a cross bike or any bike for that matter. I also would not use a carbon fork with a carbon steer tube... although it may save a bit of weight, it isn't worth the risk. As for replacing, even aluminum handlebars and stems should be replaced every couple of years... we both a LOT of stress on this area.

Thanks for sharing your photos!!

[ridebikeme]

Ummm... glad to hear that you are ok!

I agree with many of the others, I would NOt use a carbon handlebar/stem on a cross bike or any bike for that matter. I also would not use a carbon fork with a carbon steer tube... although it may save a bit of weight, it isn't worth the risk. As for replacing, even aluminum handlebars and stems should be replaced every couple of years... we put a LOT of stress on this area.

Thanks for sharing your photos!!: