Are my hairline cracked or broken carbon fibre handlebars broken or useable? Can they be easily repaired?

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ponyopo
Posts: 1
Joined: Thu Jul 28, 2016 6:34 pm

by ponyopo

They came with a bike second hand. I didn't notice it till I took the bar tape off. I haven't ridden them.
It looks as though the broken and cracked areas may just be fairings that wouldn't affect structural strength but I don't know for sure. I have seen carbon bars that don't have this bit.
Can anyone shed any light on this? Can I do a strength test at home?

http://imageshack.com/a/img923/3896/crYh66.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img923/2861/sWFf1K.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img923/9954/cID1Ji.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img921/3108/Bl3zeg.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img923/7339/XTJoU1.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img922/7231/K9TGHI.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img921/1668/2sJHbA.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img922/5262/YpWv6s.jpg
http://imageshack.com/a/img924/5940/JF62Df.jpg

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thumper88
Posts: 178
Joined: Tue Mar 13, 2012 7:27 pm

by thumper88

Ive got a set of carbon bars like that that cracked out on one side... it was a carbon plate glued on to cover the groove... it wasn't structure. I think in this case you could scuff said it and epoxy layer of the thinnest carbon or fiberglass tape around it you can find, squeeze it down with piece of polythelene bit thicker than saran wrap, held on awhile with a few wraps of cellophane tape for press and boom youre fine. materials from home depot for $15 or so.
but its hard to tell from the photos HOW this fairing was attached precisely and if in the cracking the structure of the bars proper was damaged. Looks OK but again hard to tell.

AJS914
Posts: 5397
Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:52 pm

by AJS914

I'd toss them as I wouldn't trust them. You have to wonder how did they get that way. They were either crashed or they are so cheap that they spontaneously combusted.

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mpulsiv
Posts: 1384
Joined: Mon Mar 24, 2014 9:17 pm

by mpulsiv

Cracked handlebar with unknown history. Do you love yourself? Do you love your bike? If you are on a budget, pick up $40 aluminum handlebars and enjoy your ride.


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bikemaniack
Posts: 331
Joined: Thu Jul 16, 2009 9:33 pm

by bikemaniack

FIRST you should write or call to the seller,and talk with him. Let we say,that you have this bike just 2-3 days. Try to describe him a problem,and negociate.

chipomarc
Posts: 132
Joined: Mon Sep 19, 2011 4:56 pm

by chipomarc

Why even bother asking, replace them!
Some people are just plain STUPID

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Calnago
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by Calnago

Agree with lots of sentiments here. You don't know the history is a big one. Also, I agree that it looks like the plate covering or "creating" the channel is not really structural and just glued on to the molded bars after the fact. Which also screams "lame". But yes, I think whatever time you've spent thinking about this has been wasted. Just replace them with something you know is good from the get go.
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xena
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by xena

I cant tell if it's the paint or the bars. Me, I would "gently" sand all the paint off and then you could see what's going on you would see the carbon flaking or a significant indent or crack. If they have been compromised in anyway don't ride them. I had some new Zipp bars snap on me.
if they are OK
you could easily re spray them white yourself if desired.
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mpulsiv
Posts: 1384
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by mpulsiv

Waste of time and effort, unless this is Schmolke handlebar or other boutique brand (e.g. anything north of $400).


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Racing is a three-dimensional high-speed chess game, involving hundreds of pieces on the board.

:arrow: CBA = Chronic Bike Addiction
:arrow: OCD = Obsessive Cycling Disorder

Marin
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Joined: Wed Jan 22, 2014 11:48 am
Location: Vienna Austria

by Marin

Looks ok, I'd ride them the way they are. It's just a cover for the cables.

AJS914
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Joined: Tue Jan 28, 2014 6:52 pm

by AJS914

He posted in July. I'm sure he's resolved the issue by now....

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