Carbon Bars + 'Cross = Ouch

**SheFly** · 10-08-2007, 06:53 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

**SheFly** · 10-08-2007, 06:56 PM

Originally Posted by zencentury

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

Oh, yeah! Nice capture, Zen!

**DirtDiva** · 10-08-2007, 10:01 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, 06:05 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, 06:25 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

**velogirl** · 10-09-2007, 08:43 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, 10:19 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.

**RoadRaven** · 10-09-2007, 11:22 AM

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** · 10-15-2008, 03:16 PM

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

**SheFly** · 10-16-2008, 06:22 AM

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

SheFly

**ridebikeme** · 10-16-2008, 10:39 AM

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** · 10-16-2008, 06:48 PM

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** · 10-18-2008, 08:09 AM

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** · 10-22-2008, 06:50 PM

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

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