VERY slighly bent handlebars....
Discussion
Got hit by a car earlier (who accepted liability) and exchanged contact details. The only problem is they're on holiday from the Nethelands so, in reality, I'm on my own.
Now, it appears my carbon handlebars are VERY slightly bent (the right side is seemingly curving in a touch).....it's very subtle but I think it's there. After the accident I actually managed to ride the rest of my ride, which was a further 32 miles and I didn't notice it at all until around 15 miles later, and even then it was only because I looked at them. Ergonomically I couldn't really tell a difference.
Question is....are they safe, or are they likely to break? I can't for the life of me get them to flex at all, so they seem stiff/rigid enough. What a pain, the bars are only 3 weeks old!!
Ross
Now, it appears my carbon handlebars are VERY slightly bent (the right side is seemingly curving in a touch).....it's very subtle but I think it's there. After the accident I actually managed to ride the rest of my ride, which was a further 32 miles and I didn't notice it at all until around 15 miles later, and even then it was only because I looked at them. Ergonomically I couldn't really tell a difference.
Question is....are they safe, or are they likely to break? I can't for the life of me get them to flex at all, so they seem stiff/rigid enough. What a pain, the bars are only 3 weeks old!!
Ross
E65Ross said:
Got hit by a car earlier (who accepted liability) and exchanged contact details. The only problem is they're on holiday from the Nethelands so, in reality, I'm on my own.
Now, it appears my carbon handlebars are VERY slightly bent (the right side is seemingly curving in a touch).....it's very subtle but I think it's there. After the accident I actually managed to ride the rest of my ride, which was a further 32 miles and I didn't notice it at all until around 15 miles later, and even then it was only because I looked at them. Ergonomically I couldn't really tell a difference.
Question is....are they safe, or are they likely to break? I can't for the life of me get them to flex at all, so they seem stiff/rigid enough. What a pain, the bars are only 3 weeks old!!
Ross
Check for cracks. If all looks well, it probably is. Odd that they would seem to have bent however... Now, it appears my carbon handlebars are VERY slightly bent (the right side is seemingly curving in a touch).....it's very subtle but I think it's there. After the accident I actually managed to ride the rest of my ride, which was a further 32 miles and I didn't notice it at all until around 15 miles later, and even then it was only because I looked at them. Ergonomically I couldn't really tell a difference.
Question is....are they safe, or are they likely to break? I can't for the life of me get them to flex at all, so they seem stiff/rigid enough. What a pain, the bars are only 3 weeks old!!
Ross
This is one of the reasons I've never bothered with carbon bars. Weight diff. is negligible for most types of riding.
Went to LBS but mechanic has called in sick so they said pop back in tomorrow. Person I saw seemed to think it was the lever.
I'm hoping they can be bent back (what do we think on this?) but if not I have 3 options...
1 - leave as is (doesn't seem to be much of an issue, rode 20 miles this morning and no discomfort, I typically rest my hands just before where the hood is bent)
2 - replace with the same 105 5700 lever set
3 - upgrade to ultegra 6700 levers.
If they can't be bent back I am inclined to change them.... What would be the benefits of ultegra levers? I've actually got an ultegra rear derailleur to go on soon as my 105 is a bit tired and ultegra didn't cost that much.
Obviously the difference in weight is going to make no difference at all, but perhaps they're a bit better ergonomically, or shifting etc?
Thanks in advance
I'm hoping they can be bent back (what do we think on this?) but if not I have 3 options...
1 - leave as is (doesn't seem to be much of an issue, rode 20 miles this morning and no discomfort, I typically rest my hands just before where the hood is bent)
2 - replace with the same 105 5700 lever set
3 - upgrade to ultegra 6700 levers.
If they can't be bent back I am inclined to change them.... What would be the benefits of ultegra levers? I've actually got an ultegra rear derailleur to go on soon as my 105 is a bit tired and ultegra didn't cost that much.
Obviously the difference in weight is going to make no difference at all, but perhaps they're a bit better ergonomically, or shifting etc?
Thanks in advance
The lever won't have actually bent, it'll just have shifted slightly on the bars. It's held on by a steel band that clamps around the handlebar and is tightened by an allen key. You see pros whacking them back into place with their hands after they've had a crash.
Brake levers seem to be fairly indestructible.
Brake levers seem to be fairly indestructible.
47p2 said:
Pull the hood forward and with a 5mm Allen key loosen the bolt slightly, reposition the shifter, retighten the bolt and put the hood back in place
Just tried this and..... It appears to have solved the problem! The levers were replaced. A month ago due to the last one failing (couldn't shift up a gear) and I think they weren't tightened enough, and a little knock from yesterday was enough to twist it round. Loosened the bolt, twisted round a little, tightened back up and looks like it did before
Thank you all very much! Really appreciate the help!
Edited by E65Ross on Sunday 21st June 14:11
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