Carbon handlebar question

[kilroy]

I have a new Ritchey Carbon handlebar that I am dying to fit to my bike. I have been told by the owner of my LBS that I need a stem designed specifically for carbon bars or my handlebar will likely break. I understand about torquing the bar on correctly, but can anyone give me some advice on what sort of stem would be suitable? I currently have a Bontrager Race X Lite alloy stem which has a two bolt front plate.
Thanks
Shane

[DanielS]

Couldn't the owner of your LBS tell you?

[kilroy]

Well when I say LBS I am using the term loosely because it is pretty much just a toy shop that sells bikes as well.

[kukamunga]

And your local toy shop sells carbon handlebars?!

[Bnej]

Email Richey and ask them.

[kilroy]

Nah the stem is from Probikekit. The bars came up in conversation.

[sogood]

Just about all modern stems (as well as other components) have torque spec for their bolts. So I think that's what the "LBS" was referring to. I strongly suspect your Bontrager is the same and is compatible with CF components. Plenty of people mix alloy and CF components. I wouldn't get too worried about it.

[kilroy]

Thanks. Do you know if a 4 bolt stem is preferable to a 2 bolt? I'm on PBK now and I think just to be safe I might order a Ritchey stem.

[sogood]

Some people says it makes a difference while others don't. I have a Ritchey 4-axis 4 bolt stem and have found it to work fine. If you want to run CF components, make sure you have a torque wrench. Ritchey's Torqkey works very well with Ritchey products in that it is cheap, compact and set at 5Nm.

[kilroy]

Thanks for that. I have a Torqkey already.
Cheers
Shane

[RICHARDH]

sounds like someones of pbk and itching to spend money

[kilroy]

Some people says it makes a difference while others don't. I have a Ritchey 4-axis 4 bolt stem and have found it to work fine. If you want to run CF components, make sure you have a torque wrench. Ritchey's Torqkey works very well with Ritchey products in that it is cheap, compact and set at 5Nm.

How do you go torquing the 5mm bolts that hold the brifters on? The Torqkey is only 4mm...

As for PBK, yes I have spent a few dollars there lately!!

[sogood]

How do you go torquing the 5mm bolts that hold the brifters on? The Torqkey is only 4mm...

You need a proper torque wrench.

It's another reason for not bothering with CF bar/stem components. It's just too much trouble for arguably zero gain. Good quality alu bars/stems are stiff and light along with a good price. No need to worry after a minor crash either.

[Ant.]

Are CF handlebars likely to "catastrophically fail" in a crash? Nothing stupid like getting hit by a train, I'm talking more of "laying it over round a corner going 40" kind of a deal.

[Bnej]

Are CF handlebars likely to "catastrophically fail" in a crash? Nothing stupid like getting hit by a train, I'm talking more of "laying it over round a corner going 40" kind of a deal.

Probably not, but they should be unwrapped, removed, and inspected with a torch at least before they are used again.

Ditto alloy bars really, you can put a ding in the bar that will weaken it significantly and never know because the bar tape is covering it.

But if you smack your bars on the ground it's not going to make a whole lot of difference to the crash if they fail or not, you're already on the ground!

[kilroy]

Too late for the carbon V alloy arguments. I've already got the bars, just need the advice.

Any recommendations on where I can get a torque wrench for a 5mm hex bolt?

[sogood]

Any recommendations on where I can get a torque wrench for a 5mm hex bolt?

Cell has them as well as most LBSs these days. I've seen Shimano and BBB branded torque wrenches. UK online stores also have them.

[kilroy]

Thanks for that I'll check out Cell.

[Ant.]

But if you smack your bars on the ground it's not going to make a whole lot of difference to the crash if they fail or not, you're already on the ground!

Finishing the race?