Who clamps clip ons to carbon bars?

Triathlon Forum
1

I have the new K Force carbon drop bars (and want to add the HED flip lite) and they (FSA) say it is OK to clam a clip on to it, but it just seems sketchy. Anybody doing it?

Thanks

2

I’ve clamped clip-ons to Kestrel OMS Pro carbon drop bars with no problems. They’re kevlar reinforced and Kestrel says it’s OK. Only some models of carbon bars will accept clip-ons. Check with the manufacturer.

3

carbon handle bars are only for those risk-takers with extraordinary health and dental coverage. i like my teeth, i use aluminum. i got a 3TTT alloy drop bar that runs at only 200g.

4

"carbon handle bars are only for those risk-takers with extraordinary health and dental coverage. i like my teeth, i use aluminum. i got a 3TTT alloy drop bar that runs at only 200g. "

Now that’s funny!

I’m guessing you haven’t asked around about the breakage rate of those 3TTT bars; I have personally broken two of them, and I see - by far - more broken 3TTT alloy bars than any other brand, especially the sub 200g model(s.)

.

5

interesting. never damaged or broke any myself.

how much do you weigh? are you a sprinter?

maybe the ultra-light 3TTT bars are not the best, but i don’t like what happens to carbon bars after they are smashed by stem clamps or scored by the steel bands that hold brake levers on. not to mention the crazy amount of complaints one hears of carbon bars slipping (i.e., rotating) within the stem clamp. that would drive me crazy …

6

I weigh 145 #, and could never be considered a sprinter.

I see lots of broken bars (i work in a very large bike store,) and the vast majority of them are of the superlight aluminum variety, the aforementioned brand leading the pack by rather a large margin - due, I think, to the fact that they probably sell the largest amount of sub 200 Al bars.

Personally, I won’t use an aluminum bar that light; I’ve tried, and have twice been left trying to steer my bike with half a handlebar. Not terribly interested in doing that again…

.

7

HED’s clip on to their Carbon base bars… lots of clip ons clip onto carbon base bars… i wouldn’t worry about it after checking with FSA

8

Have a customer who rode with a Ritchey carbon bar on his bike with aerobars. Against our advice. They snapped after a couple of months. He’s alright, he also own the most expensive dental office here in town, so he’s ok to do so, by another posters advice;)
I would advise not to do it.

9

carbon handle bars are only for those risk-takers with extraordinary health and dental coverage. i like my teeth, i use aluminum. i got a 3TTT alloy drop bar that runs at only 200g.

I hate to tell you but at the same or near the same weight, most carbon bars are much much stronger. I’ve personally had two Deda 215 bars crack. Mountain bike have had carbon bars on them for a long time, far more stressed than road bars.

10

I have the new K Force carbon drop bars (and want to add the HED flip lite) and they (FSA) say it is OK to clam a clip on to it, but it just seems sketchy. Anybody doing it?

Thanks
If the manufactor gives the ok, then it’s fine. Some of them allow it on some bars and not others. Some limit the type of bars they’ll allow depending on the clamp. It’s also best to use a torque wrench and hit the spec, not just tighten till you can’t anymore, also probably a good idea on high end Al bars.

11

i have easton Carbon with the HED clip ons. had them for over a year no broblem used to weigh in at 178 now about 167.