Have questions or want to discuss cycling? Join Now or Sign In to participate in the BikeRide community.

New: Take Part in the March Giveaway: Coming Soon 3/24


When to replace handlebar and stem
#1
Are there any guidelines on when to replace aluminum bars due to material fatigue life? My road bike is 5-6 years old, as is my mountain bike
  Reply
#2
Bars do break but I have never come across any replacement recommendation.
I have bars that must be 20 years old which I will happily carry on using.
I do know someone who has had 2 newish drop bars break in the last couple of years but he is a big strong guy.
Ride hard or ride home alone!
  Reply
#3
I know some people here in Hawaii have bikes with half the handlebars gone and the other half still there. Its mostly because the water/humidity gets down in between the shifter and the grip and then the bar rusts at that point then breaks off when enough force is used on it.

I personally have never had my bars break on me, and haven't had any friends with broken bars either from just normal wear and tear.
  Reply
#4
As above, only replace if they're bent/broken.

Bent bars are weaker due to stress, but in my experience you have to properly smash them into something to make them bend. I've bent a set or two, but that's normally through high speed impacts with trees, etc.
  Reply
#5
(04-01-2011, 03:52 PM)JonB Wrote:  ... but in my experience you have to properly smash them into something to make them bend.

Jon. Twice now I have caught you smashing things today. When you wear out that hammer, you may borrow mine.

Smile
Wheelies don't pop themselves. (from a QBP fortune cookie)
  Reply


Possibly Related Threads...

Forum Jump:

[-]
10 Latest Posts
What tools have you bought recently?
Yesterday 06:57 PM
Santini fluted frame
Yesterday 06:47 PM
Expensive bikes with crappy wheels
Yesterday 10:15 AM
Where are you from and What is your favo...
03-27-2024 11:43 PM
2007 Trek Pilot S.P.A. 5.2
03-27-2024 07:06 PM
2010 Specialized Hardrock
03-26-2024 09:16 PM
1990 Specialized Rockhopper How to Fluff...
03-25-2024 07:05 PM
Thread busted on right pedal crank
03-24-2024 08:52 PM
Trek domane tyre
03-24-2024 05:48 PM
Modern rims crack at spoke holes
03-24-2024 05:32 PM

[-]
Join BikeRide on Strava
Feel free to join if you are on Strava: www.strava.com/clubs/bikeridecom

[-]
Top 5 Posters This Month
no avatar 1. Painkiller
21 posts
no avatar 2. ReapThaWhirlwind
16 posts
no avatar 3. meamoantonio
15 posts
no avatar 4. Jesper
15 posts
no avatar 5. GirishH
15 posts