this is true
the outer layer on a carbon product is usually cosmetic and most of the time only there for
aesthetic purposes if this layer is scratched up then there may not be a problem(there is a but
coming) However the easton bars verge on the edge of being so lightweight that the outer layer may
actually be structural, without having access to the information regarding the layup of thge fibres
its impossible to tell. If the bar is a medium weight product ie not their lightest then it may not
be scrap however if it is the lightest bar in their range i would scrap it and save some skin.
jim beam <
[email protected]> wrote in message news:<
[email protected]>...
> without seeing the piece, the rote answer is "discard and do not use".
>
> _but_, the reality is that we're talking composites. there are different fabrication methods, trek
> and campy randomly oriented short fiber being notable exceptions to that described here, but most
> structural composites like this are multilayered, starting from the outside with a clear "resin"
> layer, a cosmetic weave below that, /then/ the real structural layering begins.
>
> if, as you say, the piece is "scratched" from stem insertion [presumably trying to fit into a stem
> without a removable face plate], then you need to assess the nature of the scratching. if you've
> merely defaced the resin clearcoat, it makes not one jot of difference to structural integrity.
> buy some nail polish and "fix" it. if you've damaged the cosmetic weave, you're definitely not in
> a good position, but it's not where the strength of the material lies. anything beyound that is a
> definite *DO NOT USE*.
>
> so, if you damaged the bar in a crash, it's a bit scratched but it still "looks ok", _definitely
> discard_. you have no idea of any internal damage. in this instance however, you could well be ok.
>
> jb.
>
> disclaimer: this opinion is worth less than what you just paid for it. proceed at your own risk.
>
>
>
> charles taylor wrote:
> > Hi There, I've got an Easton carbon road handlebar that was pretty badly scratched in attempting
> > to fit it into the wrong stem. The instructions are very explicit in saying I should discard a
> > handlebar w/ this kind of damage. I won't be competing on this bike and am wondering if I should
> > write it off or use it (carefully). Anybody got any experience w/ this? Thanks, -Chuck
> >