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Carbon Fibre Handlebars

tom_majskitom_majski Posts: 432
edited October 2008 in MTB general
Just a quicky,

Thinking of getting some carbon bars for my Trance. Is there any problem in using a normal stem with carbon bars? I was just wondering if there may be a problem with specific stress locations etc? or can i just buy some the right diameter and stick them in my normal stem?

Cheers

Posts

  • speed_12speed_12 Posts: 23
    I think the only issue could be caused by tightening the stem too much and crushing the carbon in the bars. But I'm pretty sure the bar manufacturer would have thought of this and placed either a re-inforced or Aluminium section in the centre to avoid this. Which bars are you looking at?
  • tom_majskitom_majski Posts: 432
    Not decided yet, but they'll more than likely be Eastons as i've never had an issue with their alu bars.
  • speed_12speed_12 Posts: 23
    Yeah, just had a quick look and pretty much every carbon bar I looked had an aluminium or titanium insert in the stem clamping area to avoid crushing of the carbon. Obviously make sure which ever bar you are looking at has these, but I would say you are pretty much good to go with whatever!
  • ST ColinST Colin Posts: 147
    Adhere to the correct torque values stated by Easton. Then you should be fine.

    I'm fitting my Easton gear tonight, pity it's not carbon though!
    http://stcolin.pinkbike.com

    BeOne Aspire 1.0
    RS Recon Race Air Solo 100mm
    Raceface XC and Easton
    Mavic 321, DT Swiss spokes, XT hubs
    Panaracer Rampage SC's
  • Jimbob_no5Jimbob_no5 Posts: 1,568
    eastons have re inforced stem and clamp points to keep the rigidity up and the weight down, only off side is the price of them
    Pinkbike

    I believe in only 2 things in life.
    1) Drink is not my friend
    2) D-Locking cnuts ;)
  • hucking_fellhucking_fell Posts: 1,056
    Make sure the edges of the stem are not sharp. Go over them with some emery paper or something. A deep scratch in the carbon bars will weaken them. As will something digging into them. That goes for the brakes, shifters and loc-ons also.
    More freerange chicken than Freeride God
    Bighit , 5 , BFe
  • NorthwindNorthwind Posts: 14,675
    The monkeylites aren't all that much lighter than the ally ones, mind.
    Uncompromising extremist
  • DirtydogDirtydog Posts: 4
    The Easton EA70 stem is specifically designed for carbon bars. The face plate is designed to spread the load and not create a crimping area. Jenson USA are doing them for 19 dollars. I used to run an EA50 stem with my monkeylights but noticed that the stem seemed to be pinching the bars. Fitting the EA70 resolved the issue. (135 grams for 100mm).

    Northwind . Monkeylights are about half the weight of any other alu bar in the Easton range. 150grams.
  • DazzzaDazzza Posts: 2,364
    Same with the use race stem, i tightened to what i felt was reasonable and just did them that bit tighter if the bar slipped.

    Got the ea70 cnf handlebars and they're great.

    http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/ ... m-08-32075

    http://www.bikeradar.com/road/gear/cate ... er-xc-9665
    The trouble with having an open mind, of course, is that people will insist on coming along and trying to put things in it.
    Giant Anthem X
  • pittponypittpony Posts: 1,057
    I have a Ritchey setup (carbon bar and alloy stem) which hasn't given me any bother. I got a Torque Key to set them up as i don't have a torque wrench
    Giant Trance & XTC Composite
    South East MTB
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