Carbon Bars + 'Cross = Ouch

[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!!:

[NadiaMac]

here's my broken-carbon-bar-on-cross-bike addition to the photo collection. It broke during a race, fortunately just after I had crested a hill so I did not crash. I rode the rest of the lap with the broken bar, shifting on the dangling bar. It was crazy. Suffice it to say no more carbon bits on my cross bike- I replaced the bar and carbon seat tube with trusty aluminum, actually not all that much heavier.

[SpeedyChix]

Been seeing way too many cracked carbon bars this fall. One racer didn't even realize she'd lost the drop of the bar (!?!). Light is nice but solid and impact resistant much better. I do get a bit nervous about the carbon fork but that is the one carbon bit on my CX bikes.

Ride safe