Carbon handlebars and stem for a heavy dude

I'm abt the same weight and while I've used carbon bars for a while I
switched back to alloy as I've heard too many stories of ones that have
snapped; whereas, I don't hear stories of alloy bars that have sanpped
without some outside force, like a car. Also, I hear of no catastrophoic
stoies of carbon frames and forks that have snapped or broken without some
added force.

Also, you can't tell by visual inspection if you have a pending problem; so
I've decided to stay away from carbon bars. Since I'm "big" use two layers
of bar tape anyway, which help dampen a bit.

Hope that help and you save some money and skin 'cause in my book the ounce
savings isn't worth the risk.

"Jason Spaceman" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking of upgrading my Trek 5200's handlebars & stem. Would a
carbon bar and stem be a good idea for a heavy guy (approx. 200lbs)
like me? Or should I stick to aluminum?

I like the flat top sections on some of the carbon bars (eg. the ITM
K-Sword); but I don't want to risk having the bar & stem snap on me
while riding. Plus I'm a little paranoid about installing them and
tightening bolts too tight, etc.

J. Spaceman

On Sat, 12 Aug 2006 00:00:11 GMT, "Chris" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'm abt the same weight and while I've used carbon bars for a while I
switched back to alloy as I've heard too many stories of ones that have
snapped; whereas, I don't hear stories of alloy bars that have sanpped
without some outside force, like a car.

Everything can break, and I've heard of aluminum bars snapping.
Generally very light ones or very old ones.

JT

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John Forrest Tomlinson said:

On Sat, 12 Aug 2006 00:00:11 GMT, "Chris" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'm abt the same weight and while I've used carbon bars for a while I
switched back to alloy as I've heard too many stories of ones that have
snapped; whereas, I don't hear stories of alloy bars that have sanpped
without some outside force, like a car.

Everything can break, and I've heard of aluminum bars snapping.
Generally very light ones or very old ones.

JT

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usually you can see aluminum fracturing prior to it's failure. you just
have to pay attention to important stress points and know what to look
for (very small hairlines- creaking will indicate imminent failure)

Quoted message said:

John Forrest Tomlinson said:

On Sat, 12 Aug 2006 00:00:11 GMT, "Chris" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'm abt the same weight and while I've used carbon bars for a while I
switched back to alloy as I've heard too many stories of ones that have
snapped; whereas, I don't hear stories of alloy bars that have sanpped
without some outside force, like a car.

Everything can break, and I've heard of aluminum bars snapping.
Generally very light ones or very old ones.

JT

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Visit http://www.jt10000.com
****************************

usually you can see aluminum fracturing prior to it's failure. you just
have to pay attention to important stress points and know what to look
for (very small hairlines- creaking will indicate imminent failure)

Dear R.,

Handlebar creaking can indicate imminent failure.

Creaking can also indicate that the owner should have tightened the
bolt a little more when installing the handlebar.

Or so I've he--

Er, or so I've read.

Certainly I never heard that sound. Not on my bike. Uh-uh. Must have
been crickets, not a loose bolt.

Chirp!

Carl Fogel

Jason Spaceman said:

I'm thinking of upgrading my Trek 5200's handlebars & stem. Would a
carbon bar and stem be a good idea for a heavy guy (approx. 200lbs)
like me? Or should I stick to aluminum?

I like the flat top sections on some of the carbon bars (eg. the ITM
K-Sword); but I don't want to risk having the bar & stem snap on me
while riding. Plus I'm a little paranoid about installing them and
tightening bolts too tight, etc.

J. Spaceman

If you want a flat topped hbar...look at the Ritchey one in aluminum.
Carbon stems are just plain dummm...btw-they do nuthin but empty your
wallet.

Jason Spaceman said:

I'm thinking of upgrading my Trek 5200's handlebars & stem. Would a
carbon bar and stem be a good idea for a heavy guy (approx. 200lbs)
like me? Or should I stick to aluminum?

I like the flat top sections on some of the carbon bars (eg. the ITM
K-Sword); but I don't want to risk having the bar & stem snap on me
while riding. Plus I'm a little paranoid about installing them and
tightening bolts too tight, etc.

At 200# you are probably big. Maybe big hands too? the ITM K-Sword
doesn't fit my big hands too well. I borrowed somebody's bike to test.
Just sitting on a stationary bike or holding a pair in your hands isn't
enough to tell. For big hands I am reasonable satisfied with the ITM
Wing Shape. Nice flat top section, and large (larger than anything else
I've tried) drop section.

If the K-Sword is what you end up with, don't worry about over
tightening as long as you have the matching K-Sword stem. But with any
other carbon bars I'd prefer a 2-bolt stem for more even pressuer (vs a
4 bolt) and use a torque-wrench. Erring on the side of too loose is
probably an even worse option that too tight!

Joseph

Jason Spaceman <[email hidden]> wrote in
news:[email hidden]:

Quoted message said:

I'm thinking of upgrading my Trek 5200's handlebars & stem. Would a
carbon bar and stem be a good idea for a heavy guy (approx. 200lbs)
like me? Or should I stick to aluminum?

I like the flat top sections on some of the carbon bars (eg. the ITM
K-Sword); but I don't want to risk having the bar & stem snap on me
while riding. Plus I'm a little paranoid about installing them and
tightening bolts too tight, etc.

J. Spaceman

What did you hope to gain by going to carbon?

There are bar contouring sets available for under the tape.

I've just made do with a double layer of tape and good gloves for a larger
handsize.

wvantwiller said:

There are bar contouring sets available for under the tape.

Link, please?

--
Dave
dvt at psu dot edu

Everyone confesses that exertion which brings out all the powers of body
and mind is the best thing for us; but most people do all they can to
get rid of it, and as a general rule nobody does much more than
circumstances drive them to do. -Harriet Beecher Stowe, abolitionist and
novelist (1811-1896)

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

Jason Spaceman said:

I'm thinking of upgrading my Trek 5200's handlebars & stem. Would a
carbon bar and stem be a good idea for a heavy guy (approx. 200lbs)
like me? Or should I stick to aluminum?

I like the flat top sections on some of the carbon bars (eg. the ITM
K-Sword); but I don't want to risk having the bar & stem snap on me
while riding. Plus I'm a little paranoid about installing them and
tightening bolts too tight, etc.

J. Spaceman

If you want a flat topped hbar...look at the Ritchey one in aluminum.
Carbon stems are just plain dummm...btw-they do nuthin but empty your
wallet.

Second on the "Sweep" bar. I have the carbons on my race bike (180lbs)
and the Aluminum ones on my rain bike. They are so comfortable I don't
know why I didn't look into something like this sooner. That - and
they don't do the weird rise thing like the FSAs.

Carbon stems are dumb.