Carbon Bars + 'Cross = Ouch

**trigirlpink** · 10-08-2007, 04:15 PM

Oh my...

That is a scary picture. I'm so glad you are ok. This happened in Biddeford??? Did you end up going to Maine the next day too???

I was scheduled to ride only in Maine on Sunday but did a quick switch to Biddeford on Saturday due to some last minute company coming for the weekend. ( How dare they mess with my cross practice/racing)

I did not have a good race on that fairly simplistic course. Lots of reasons but mainly just not aggressive enough at the start coupled with lack of experience. I was hoping to bring what I learned from Amesbury there, but not sure what my deal was.I think I did all of the laps alone with a very fast group in front and a slower one behind. The solo Oreo creme filling sandwiched between...
not the optimally fun way to do a cross race I'm learning especially after Amesbury and having some women around me. That is much more fun.
Today I got myself out in the rain and wet to go toughen my chicken-self up over at a nice town forest with my husband coaching or more like coaxing me down some sandy rocky hills.

**trigirlpink** · 10-08-2007, 04:32 PM

I forgot to mention my husband's friend also broke his bike during warm/up right after my race so I just tossed him my bike to use. A quick pedal change out and off he rode. I was happy to help out. I had to defend him a few times from the "nice bar tape" "pretty flowers" comments from the spectators! Here he is right after those up-hill barriers in Biddeford ME.

**7rider** · 10-08-2007, 05:01 PM

Y'ouch!
Now I know the genesis of Mimi's carbon bar comment in another thread!
Glad you're okay. I'd been wondering about carbon bars/stems/ (and forks!) on 'cross bikes. Add it to the list of "things that make you go, 'hmmmm'".
Glad you're okay.

**velogirl** · 10-09-2007, 07:43 AM

Most carbon forks are fine. I'd stay away from a carbon fork with a carbon steer tube on a cross bike. Carbon seatposts are usually fine, too, but a pita because they frequently slip, especially seatposts with carbon clamps. But carbon bars and stems take a lot of stress during riding, and each time the bike falls/gets dropped, we're compromising the integrity of the component.

Originally Posted by Regina

Y'ouch!
I'd been wondering about carbon bars/stems/ (and forks!) on 'cross bikes. Add it to the list of "things that make you go, 'hmmmm'".
Glad you're okay.

**Voodoo Sally** · 10-09-2007, 09:19 AM

Glad you're OK SheFly! And you are a trouper for racing anyway.

LOL about the bike you lent to your guy friend, trigirl!

I didn't race this weekend, BUT, as I was camping in Acadia National Park in Maine, who came up to me from the campsite next door but Karin from NEBC! She and her friend were up there after Sat.'s race and planned to ride the carriage roads for the next couple of days, as did my friends and I.

**Zen** · 10-08-2007, 05:09 PM

Originally Posted by trigirlpink

I had to defend him a few times from the "nice bar tape" "pretty flowers" comments from the spectators!

Those who can, do.
Those who can't are SPECTATORS.

**cwodiva** · 10-08-2007, 05:33 PM

Wow! What a picture! Glad you're okay and didn't get badly injured. Way to get back on the bike and keep going. great lesson on carbon.

**SheFly** · 10-08-2007, 05:56 PM

Originally Posted by zencentury

Those who can, do.
Those who can't are SPECTATORS.

Oh, yeah! Nice capture, Zen!

**DirtDiva** · 10-08-2007, 09:01 PM

It's recommended that carbon bars are replaced every so often (24 months?), but replaced after less drama would've been good!

Glad you're more or less okay.

**SAMbike** · 10-09-2007, 05:05 AM

SheFly - did the break happen when you hit the hole and then you fell to the ground due to the bars breaking? Or did the bars break after the bike hit the ground? I think it's the first... but just wanted to be sure. If it's the first, that's really bad. So good to hear you're ok!

**SheFly** · 10-09-2007, 05:25 AM

Originally Posted by SAMbike

SheFly - did the break happen when you hit the hole and then you fell to the ground due to the bars breaking? Or did the bars break after the bike hit the ground? I think it's the first... but just wanted to be sure. If it's the first, that's really bad. So good to hear you're ok!

I'm pretty sure the bars broke as a result of hitting the hole. I heard the snap as I was headed toward the ground....

SheFly

**SheFly** · 10-08-2007, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by trigirlpink

Oh my...

That is a scary picture. I'm so glad you are ok. This happened in Biddeford??? Did you end up going to Maine the next day too???

Yup - happened in Biddeford out warming up before my race. Hopped on Julie's bike after a pedal change and went off anyway. I did do New Gloucester on Sunday as well, but was pretty sore from going down so hard.

You had a great race on Sat - top 10 finish and you didn't get lapped. Two GREAT goals! That was a tough course - had to be "on" the whole time, or you would get gapped. When you get into a situation like that on those courses (where you are on your own between groups), resort to your tri/TT skills, and just motor - you could have made up some good time on that dirt climb and on the grass!

Good for you in getting out today - more than I did

. I'm on rest this week due to the injuries and heading into Gloucester next weekend.

SheFly

p.s.

One of our male friends used my TT bike last year at the Charlie Baker - pink bar tape and all, and beat my best time. I think pink bar tape makes the guys ride faster

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