Do you trust old handlebars?

[stubb]

the tooth ache ive got and coming dentist appointment a snapped bar could work out quicker and cheaper

 

[barry2017]

Generally, aluminium bars give you warning by turning a sort of milky white colour.

I did this to a set of GB Randonneurs once, but they were quite old.

Steel/ti bars will bend before they snap. I have a pair of steel allrounders that are 62 years old now, and they're still fine.

 

[Ally]

LGF is totally right about the forks: A fitted and often forgotten part.

Bars should be ok with regular inspection: I believe it is reccommended to change alluminuim bars every 5 years though, but TBH I think that's a marketing ploy.

NOS is a good idea for critical componants, but inspection should still be undertaken. Use torches/cameras whatever to compare use and wear throughout the years.

I'm still using RC130's since they came out on my ProFlex.

 

[drcarlos]

Pleased I have Tange Prestige Steel Bars on my CB. . Never really thought about my bars failing really. I guess I might get paranoid if they were carbon though.

Carl.

 

[dyna-ti]

Until now it never crossed my mind
Thanks
Thanks a lot

 

[markoc]

I've been wondering this one. I really fancy a blue or green bar (preferably USE) for my singlespeed build - but am concerned that they won't necessarily be as strong as I think.

That said, most of us are riding around on frames that are at least 12-15 years old so the bars might be the least of our worries...

 

[SeeingisBelievingGTMuseum]

I still have a pair of original Ritchey WCS bars that were ridden hard with bar ends attached for probably 10 years and they show stress lines running the length of the inside of the bars. Probably caused by some twisting going on when climbing on the bar ends. Never hurts to check them just to be safe.

 

[dbmtb]

On a rider that's going to be hammered, I just fit Ti bars. Safer that way.....

I save the alloy bars for the bikes that are only going to get fairly gently use.

 

[legrandefromage]

listen to yourselves - theres 30 year old passenger aircraft flying over your heads and you're worrying about a bit of pipe... :roll:

 

[SeeingisBelievingGTMuseum]

listen to yourselves - theres 30 year old passenger aircraft flying over your heads and you're worrying about a bit of pipe... :roll:

Yes... but most of them are on a strict maintenance schedule for having their rivets and bolts checked and having their the metal checked for fatigue. Google Aloha Airlines flight 243 and look at the images. Top falls off a plane in flight....later determined to be caused by "Metal fatigue and corrosion from continual operation near salt water caused hairline fractures that eventually led to catastrophic structural failure"....hairline fractures that led to catastrophic failure.