I'm licking my wounds today as a result of my using some handlebars I should have tossed out. Years ago I took off an aluminium flat bar as they had a few seasons on them. Instead of throwing them out I've just kept them for some reason. Well the other day I was wondering how a pair of flat bars would feel on one of my bikes so I decided to test it out with this old bar so I had an idea what sweep and length I would be best. Big mistake as the first and only ride resulted in the right side snapping off right at the stem when going through some rough in the middle of a single track down hill. No bending and no warning - they looked perfect.
Now I'm never going to trust aluminum bars again and I definitely don't trust carbon bars. It's steel or Titanium only. Same for Stems as I snapped a Ringle Zooka stem climbing this summer too... The ultra light aluminum stuff from the aftermarket in the 90's was not always up to the task. BTW - I'm a big dude at 6'3" 190, but I know others on this site are as big or bigger.
While hiking out last night I kept thinking...Steel is real!
Now I'm never going to trust aluminum bars again and I definitely don't trust carbon bars. It's steel or Titanium only. Same for Stems as I snapped a Ringle Zooka stem climbing this summer too... The ultra light aluminum stuff from the aftermarket in the 90's was not always up to the task. BTW - I'm a big dude at 6'3" 190, but I know others on this site are as big or bigger.
While hiking out last night I kept thinking...Steel is real!
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