Carbon Handlebars and brake clamping force.

[Chuck731]

If I try to mount Campy Ergo levers on Carbon fiber handle bars, is there anything about clamping force that I should be concerned about? Would tightening the lever clamps too much risk crushing the CF tube?

 

[JohnO]

You're serious, right?

The answer is - no. I have Campy Ergo 10 levers clamped as hard as they can be onto a set of Cinelli RAM bars. No problems, and they hardly left a mark on the surface of the tube.

 

[Chuck731]

Yes, I am serious. Graphite weave reinforced plastic is renowed for tensile strength, not for compressional strength. In tension, it may be stronger than steel by weight, in compression it is no stronger than decent plastic.

 

[a1086528]

Overtightening shouldnt be a problem provided that you mount the levers on the specified sections. there should be a rougher section where you mount the levers.

 

[laffingbilly]

yes, you can overtighten. here's an interesting article.

http://www.velonews.com/media/easton_bolt.pdf

max torque for brake/shifter for FSA carbon bars is: 52.08 pound-inch or 5.88nm (FSA lists as 60 kgf-cm)
http://www.fullspeedahead.com/downloads/TS_HANDLEBARS_02.pdf

 

[laffingbilly]

so for some more torque info:

cinelli lists tightening torques on its website
http://www.cinelli.it/eng/bici/manubri/corsa/index.html

easton lists on its website under the installation instructions:
http://www.eastonbike.com/TECH_FAQ/tech_instal.html

3ttt lists some:
http://www.3ttt.com/ing/fr_coppie.htm

so i guess i could go on, but you get the point. just check the installation manual, or email/call the company.