Carbon Bars + 'Cross = Ouch

[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.

[Sheesh]

That picture really is worth a 1000 words! OMG!

I'm glad you're okay and that you were able to still race.

Now you've got me wondering what bars are on my bike...

[wavedancer]

Ouch is right! I hope you aren't hurting too much today. You're pretty tough stuff to get back on Julie's bike and race anyway. How did Sunday's race go?

[cycling_sarah]

Yikes! Glad you are ok! Hope the bruises heal up fast. You are so brave to get right back on and race, but I guess that's the best way to do it...don't give yourself time to think about the crash and get nerved up ;-)

[SheFly]

Thanks, all!

Velogirl - DH put these on my bike to "save weight". And they were used. I just ride whatever he builds... That said, we have BOTH learned an important lesson here - carbon bars are not a good option for 'cross.

I also think the "hole" that I hit would have broken brand new carbon bars. It was more of an "abyss" .

As for getting back on and racing - didn't want to. Mentally, I was all done for the day, if not the weekend. DH, however, wouldn't let me off, and went in search of a bike - his expectation was that I had paid and registered, already had my number pinned on, so I was racing. So, I was kind of "forced" into the race.

Now I know, if I REALLY didn't want to, I could have put my foot down, but sometimes it is easier to just grin and bear it. That said, it was probably good for me to exorcise the demons so that I could hop back in the saddle for the next race.

SheFly (who loves her new ALUMINUM bars!)