I've had mine for 7 years, riding hard but generally infrequently. Wondering whether to replace on a precautionary basis prior to big trip up North as they're just stock Specialized bars, they click a bit (could just be loose stem bolts/dirt in threads), and alloy fatigues etc.

Replaced the CF Monkey Lite bars as you suggested as they were eBay used anyhow.

Had mine (24sevens) since about 2005 used for jumping etc as well as XC. Threads like this make me think about changing them..

Nope, periodically give them a onceover and if they look fine they stay on

Yep. Just after christmas had an alloy bar of unknown age on a second hand Hybrid snap right by the stem. Tiniest little lump in the road was all it took to break the camel's back. 2 mins later I'd have been doing 30+ mph downhill.

Didn't occur to me that it would be a problem on a primarily road used bike, but MTB's 3 years for me. M6TTF, you'd probably not always spot cracks by eye.

mind made up, will replace.

why is this sport so expensive!

Because nobody makes 4130 lightweight bars?