Carbon damage assessment

[thirdgenbird]

I am rebuilding a Merckx cross bike for Grady (gomango) and in the process, I found some damage on the EC90 bars.

Grady bought the bike used with sram and we are doing a proper Campagnolo build. Anyway, the "two bolt only" handlebars were clamped into a four bolt stem. Thry were also clamped about a cm or so off center. Once removed, I found some marks in the carbon.

Pictures:
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk177/thirdgenbird/gomango%20rebuild/e4beca2fd5daf1d36246cff7d97cb0f0_zpsc844f86b.jpg
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk177/thirdgenbird/gomango%20rebuild/06d9afa91396a88bf6101e823f0dc198_zps8be1b3c4.jpg
http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk177/thirdgenbird/gomango%20rebuild/ac7fcdace9bc2470f957f8e285f5551e_zps4322b779.jpg

[thirdgenbird]

Anyway, give us some advice per the poll. Toss, use, or repair.

[texbike]

A snapped bar could lead to some nasty consequences. It isn't worth taking a chance to me. My vote? Toss 'em!

Texbike

[gomango]

Thanks Casey and for input from the forum!

[thirdgenbird]

It isn't worth taking a chance to me.

That's sorta my feelings as well. Unfortunate for a nice part.

[eippo1]

I agree. It looks a bit compressed. I wouldn't trust bars with damage like that either in carbon or aluminum form.

[Pete Mckeon]

do not want :eek: I voted toss also. Could lead down the road to much pain and :butt:



A snapped bar could lead to some nasty consequences. It isn't worth taking a chance to me. My vote? Toss 'em!

Texbike

[velotrack]

Are these the 26.0 versions? Go grab a new pair! They're quite affordable now, IIRC.

[pdmtong]

The new math:

Dental implants about $2k per tooth

New bar <$300

Toss......

[FlashUNC]

As PDM said. New bars are way cheaper than new dental work or collarbone/shoulder/elbow surgery.

[thirdgenbird]

This is about how Grady and I expected it to go.

Are these the 26.0 versions? Go grab a new pair! They're quite affordable now, IIRC.

They are 31.8

I am going to vote for a soma hwy 1 or deda rhm 01 replacement. Both will fit the build well.

[buldogge]

Well…I wouldn't use the CF bars on a gravel bike in the first place.

I vote for Grady to get some solid classic alloy bars, like Ritchey WCS, Deda Newtons, Rotundo Pros, or Pro PLTs.

Alternatively, I've really enjoyed the Salsa Cowbell 2s on my Meech.

My 2c.

-Mark in St. Louis

[buldogge]

ps…Use those bars to practice making a silly mono stem/bar combo!

-Mark

[zmudshark]

I think the 3.5 people that said they'd use them should make an offer and sign a waiver.

[thirdgenbird]

I think the 3.5 people that said they'd use them should make an offer and sign a waiver.

I can ship tomorrow. :)

[gomango]

Well…I wouldn't use the CF bars on a gravel bike in the first place.

I vote for Grady to get some solid classic alloy bars, like Ritchey WCS, Deda Newtons, Rotundo Pros, or Pro PLTs.

Alternatively, I've really enjoyed the Salsa Cowbell 2s on my Meech.

My 2c.

-Mark in St. Louis

Hah, the guy I bought the Merckx from did the Almanzo 100 on these bars last year.

I really like the Cowbell 2s though. They're the frontrunner, as I have used them before and I like them just fine.

Appreciate the input everyone.

I can't afford dentures.

The boys are heading off to college very soon and dad's going to be broke for the next half decade.

[gomango]

I can ship tomorrow. :)

Casey's thoughtful that way.:)

What a guy.

[Bob Ross]

Your poll is missing the "Cover the damaged area with clear nail polish & ride" option!


:banana:









j/k
Toss 'em.

[ais99spoke]

+1 on carbon wrap them to a similarly damaged nice carbon stem. make Carbon-ade.

[Mnm1945]

No way i would use those!

[thirdgenbird]

This will be a good reminder to regularly check equipment. The stem hid this damage nicely. I've seen it on carbon steerers too.

[gomango]

Salsa Cowbell 2s are officially on their way. :)

Casey, you may turn the Eastons into a nice tie rack or perhaps a retrieval training device for the pooch!

[thirdgenbird]

Cowbell 2s with the current style Campagnolo levers may make some great hand positions.

Bentley favors stuffed animals over sticks, but it may be worth trying.

[buldogge]

Great choice Grady…Perfect for the riding you've been doing!

Casey…Let's see the carbon bar/stem combo get built!!

-Mark

Salsa Cowbell 2s are officially on their way. :)

Casey, you may turn the Eastons into a nice tie rack or perhaps a retrieval training device for the pooch!

[thirdgenbird]

Anyone have a stem with a damaged bar clamp? I've got a local source for carbon...

[WickedWheels]

The new math:

Dental implants about $2k per tooth

New bar <$300

Toss......

Hold your horses... My wife is a dentist and you may be costing her some business here.

[Charles M]

This isn't a "Carbon Damage" question...

You don't keep ANY handlebar with overtorque damage at the clamping area

[pdmtong]

Hold your horses... My wife is a dentist and you may be costing her some business here.

Extraction plus implant plus implant crown. insurance is 50% at best. Process takes about a 9-10 months as well. Very expensive and time consuming

[pavel]

I know the guy selling these http://www.ebay.com/itm/301055326301?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 and can probably get them to you for cheaper and without going through ebay.

pm if interested.

[MattTuck]

George Hincapie is not thinking, "If only I'd have gone for lighter, less durable componenents!" in this picture. Regardless of the material, air on the side of caution when it comes to things that affect your ability to control the bike.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-iW0X4lISPZw/TZ5bcI7wNhI/AAAAAAAACkM/O4pe2fXPAgk/s1600/George-Hincapie-DNF-Roubaix.jpg

[thirdgenbird]

I believe that was an alloy steerer failure.

If I had a carbon steerer, bars or seatpost, I would disassemble for inspection often. Other materials obviously need inspected as well (see above) but I trust them longer. Come to think of it, I've seen several stories of both carbon and alloy bars failing under bar tape.

[Netdewt]

This makes me never want carbon stuff. At least things that hurt you when they break.

[thirdgenbird]

Carbon will last a long time if well cared for and assembled properly. We could post pages of broken steel and aluminum as well.

I'm not against carbon, but I'm not a huge fan of it in areas where it is clamped. It's not that it doesn't work, it just adds more variables.

The only critical carbon I own is a record UT crankset but frankly, I've a seen a lot more pictures of broken aluminum dura ace cranksets. Actually, the only failed UT crankset I can recall seeing wasn't even at the carbon. It was at the steel axle.

[gomango]

Extraction plus implant plus implant crown. insurance is 50% at best. Process takes about a 9-10 months as well. Very expensive and time consuming

One of my best buddies is a dentist and yes, he has a Serotta.

Stereotype comes alive.

But I do get a whale of a deal on dental work. :)

[gomango]

I know the guy selling these http://www.ebay.com/itm/301055326301?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 and can probably get them to you for cheaper and without going through ebay.

pm if interested.

Thanks for the offer, but moved in a different direction.

[thirdgenbird]

One of my best buddies is a dentist and yes, he has a Serotta.

Stereotype comes alive.

But I do get a whale of a deal on dental work. :)

Thr best thing I've read all day. No, I take that back, the 911 targa press release is the best. This comes second.