[Closed] Worn patch on carbon bars: will I die?

will I eventually die if I don’t replace it

And will I live forever if I do replace it?

Lovely spoonerism

Kite lable or porn watch?

barbon cars?

I'm pretty sure a constant supply of new carbon parts keep you feeling young ... I'm not sure if this actually increases life expectancy though. You also have to factor in carbon parts being bad for the environment which could reduce life expectancy. It looks like a fairly smooth wear patch so shouldn't have created a stress riser, therefore I would be happy to ride the bars. please note I'm not an engineer with a degree in carbonology so this is just my opinion.

Can you feel any real gouge? Looks pretty insignificant to me so I wouldn't worry

It's more of a flat spot than a gouge, I wouldn't say it goes concave at all.

I also reckon it's proooobably fine? I'll report back when they snap and I'm dead.

Whilst it's true that abrading carbon can cause structural problems, manufacturers apply a thick layer of resin on the top of their parts to prevent exactly this issue. So a few scratches are likely to be in the resin. You can kind of tell, when looking at gouges, because the edges or the bits that come off are white. When they are black, that's when you're in to the carbon.

When they are black, that’s when you’re in to the carbon.

In that case we're definitely into the carbon.

Also, I can't say I love the way this looks...

Ridden several with worse than that and still alive.

No worries at all about that one.

In that case we’re definitely into the carbon.

The epoxy layer is usually pretty thick though. That doesn't look at all thick enough.

Hard to tell from the pic tbh, doesn't look deep enough to worry about to me but I'm not that comfy about saying so as an absolute based on just photos.

molgrips
Full Member

You can kind of tell, when looking at gouges, because the edges or the bits that come off are white. When they are black, that’s when you’re in to the carbon.

Just not true. Ssometimes it is but you can't just go "it's black therefore it's in the carbon", resin can scratch and look black.

The rubbing is adjacent to the centre bulge - the strongest and thickest part of the handlebar - the carbon is a few mm thick. I would smooth-off with some fine wet and dry and look to seal the abrasion - clear nail varnish, lacquer or sticker. I doubt it has made any difference to the structural integrity of the bar - crack-on! 😁

I've seen people have spectacular crashes when carbon bars in perfect condition have snapped for no good reason. In your case I'd settle my affairs before riding again.

2nd comment on the spoonerism (I didn't know it had that name until now, thanks).

I had a double take!

I’d consider sticking them on the pub bike and get new.

2nd comment on the spoonerism (I didn’t know it had that name until now, thanks).

I had a double take!

I suppose that’s a whole different question and really depends on how distracting it is - probably very.

I’ve seen people have spectacular crashes when carbon bars in perfect condition have snapped for no good reason. In your case I’d settle my affairs before riding again.

I’d consider sticking them on the pub bike and get new.

You’re probably right - It’s one of those things where the likelihood is very low but the potential consequences are very high so it’s worth the cost to avoid.

I replaced the bars today and found this under one of the brake mounts. I know exactly when it happened too. I guess I should’ve checked it after crashing into that tree rather than pulling the brake lever back into position and forgetting about it 😬