After I crashed last week, I went to CGR on Tuesday to get the bike checked out. I was afraid mostly for my fork, and I told them about it. They had a quick look at the bike and told me there wasn’t any visible problem, so I shouldn’t waste my money on getting it checked.
During the KOM on thursday, I noticed that the bike was making some little sounds, coming from the front, but I wasn’t sure if it was my imagination or not.
So I didn’t worry, and took it for a quick ride today. I was at the bottom of the Houde, at the stoplight, and when it turned green, as I went through the intersection, I heard a loud bang, and my integrated handlebars cut in half. Hopefully I couldnt clip in my second shoe, so I had one foot free and I didnt fall or anything. I just looked stupid.
Apart from the whole “lost money” thing, I was pretty happy that it happened right BEFORE the ride too…
I think that from now on I will never use carbon anymore on either my stem or handlebars.
Jocelyn I’m really glad you are OK. You have had a tough week - first the crash at tryouts and now this. This is everyone’s fear with carbon - sudden failure. I’m assuming the rest of the bike is fine. Look forward to riding with you again when everything is sorted out. Cheers, Charles
Its good to see you made it out ok. I was also wondering what brand of integrated handlebars you have because I was looking at buying a pair for a future project (not track)… of course its not to brand bash but I will certainly look around to know if this happens often
No, normally, it can’t…
But then I did hit my handlebars during the crash, as the left side is a bit scratched, and the right side shifter had lost its little square “ultegra” plastic thing.
To answer your question kevin, it’s a no-name brand. I think that might explain it a little bit. It’s not FSA or anything. So I don’t know what that’s worth.
I wish CGR had seen the crack on the stem. But then I didn’t tell them that’s where I thought there was any problem, so they only had a quick look, and not at that particular place…
so there was a visible crack on the stem and you kept riding it? note to anyone with carbon anything: if there is ever a visible crack on anything, DO NOT RIDE IT!!!
This also goes for aluminum or steel: Don’t ride broken parts. Not worth it.
It may seem rather obvious, but it is wise to check your bike after every ride when you can do a general wipe down - check tyres for nicks and cuts, wipe the bike clean of dust and any debris, inspect the frame as you wipe it down, check the chain etc. At least once a week, especially if you are riding a great deal, do a more thorough check of the bike and a cleaning. Not only will this help maintain the bike, but it gives a measure of peace of mind that your ride is ready to go when you are.
No ben, there wasn’t any visible cracks. What I wanted to say was that there probably WAS a crack, although it was invisible, and I wish they had seen it. ( actually, I should have given the bike to them for an extensive check, even after the guy told me I was safe :S)
How it happened was: I got back, checked the bike, mostly the frame and fork. I went to CGR, the guy had a quick look, but again, there wasn’t any visible problem on any part of the bike. So he said, there shouldn’t be any problem. It’s only this saturday that the stem broke. To my (very) great suprise, given that it was the place at which I least expected something to happen, and it also had zero apparent scratch / crack / not even any paint crack.
Depending on how the composite is designed in terms of fiber and matrix (plastic filler material) ratio, fiber orientation, etc, it is possible to have fibers failing without a failure of the matrix at all. It’s possible you wouldn’t be able to tell by a simple visual inspection if the part was good or not. Carbon is sketchy, is all I have to say!
I was directly behind you when you crashed at tryouts. Just for context for the others, it was a very low speed crash, probably less then 30km/h. I just can’t believe that a bar/stem combo would fail because of such a mild trauma, it just blows my mind.
A lot of pros still stick to aluminum stems with carbon bars. I know some riders, even big guys like AJ, ride carbon cockpits. Obviously every make/model should be safe but what brand was this? was this a reputable manufacture?