Women Ergo Handlebars

[aicabsolut]

I like the Specialized Dolce (ergo shape versus the standard WSD aluminum bar), but my next set of handlebars will probably be 3T. I also like the carbon Specialized ones on my crit bike, because the drops are deeper, but it has been a pain getting the hoods to stay put without tightening them too much. Carbon paste isn't quite cutting it on the left one for some reason.

[dianne_1234]

I also like the carbon Specialized ones on my crit bike, because the drops are deeper, but it has been a pain getting the hoods to stay put without tightening them too much. Carbon paste isn't quite cutting it on the left one for some reason.

aicabsolut, you might want to make it a priority to solve that issue - a brake lever that slips down the bar (on a bump for instance) can lock up the wheel (The brake lever pulls the cable as it slips) and can cause you to crash. Happened to Lance in the Dauphine Libere in (I think) 2003?

I've found all the following to help:
1. clean the bar and lever interface with acetone
2. assembly paste
3. torque wrench

The torque wrench was a hard one to figure out since the nut is recessed in the lever body. I don't remember how I did that now...?!?

This is usually not a problem on aluminum bars - carbon seems to have a much lower coefficient of friction.

[aicabsolut]

Yes, I know. I had my front brake closed by such an event. Luckily, I ride with my brakes pretty loose, so it was not catastrophic. I think I've got it handled now with extra carbon paste, but the left one still creaks a little. I will definitely do an overhaul if it slips again.

I haven't figured out the torque wrench either, because they won't fit down in that space in the hood. I've been carefully hand tightening. I guess I may have under-tightened at first, but the left one has come loose a few times since the shop re-did it after the major slippage incident.

I've never had a problem with my aluminum bars. I think the 3Ts weren't out then (I was doing the build when 09 stuff was just being released). Or at least I didn't know about them for a few more weeks. I couldn't get the same Dolce bars I have on my other bike, and I wanted to try a slightly deeper drop, so I went with these which only came in carbon. I am pretty nervous about having carbon bars on principle, but I got a really good deal from the shop that sponsors my team.

The part of the bend where the clamp attaches is rough (has a textured finish), but apparently that isn't enough.

[OakLeaf]

Long hex socket. (I think the lever clamp is 5 mm? Or is it 4? Anyway both are available. I think Sears/Craftsman has them too, just couldn't find it on their website.

[aicabsolut]

thanks. it's 5mm.