Alloy stems/handlebars snapping due to metal fatigue

stickman

I had an alloy stem snap recently, the long bolt held it together and I carefully rode the ten miles home. I had to get a new fork as the remains were seized solid into the fork tube.
Now i'm wondering about alloy bars (and then having thoughts about cranks, dropouts etc.)

Has anyone experienced alloy failure or have knowledge on the subject?

bagpusscp

How old was the part that failed ?

I am always wary of old components failing in this manner.Old handler bars are the ones to watch.I have had seat pins {alloy} and crank arms snap on me. :shock:

stickman

The stem was about 4 1/2 yrs from buying the bike new, although the part could have been in storage for several years prior?
Bars: I asked at my lbs and they pulled out instructions from some bars and it was about styles of riding and mileage and when to get new bars but when I got my Raleigh bars not a single word about any of this.

Fixed Wheelnut

I have had two sets of bars break and another two crack and start creaking on me so I always renew them annually or at the first sign of any creaking.

The first set failed slowly at a stop no problem the second set at 25mph sprint and left some serious road rash on my backside.

stickman

Did you not want to change to steel or is it not available in your style bars?