Bicycle Mechanics - handlebar insert?

Im running a CF handlebar right now and I want bar ends. I am wondering if I could put some sort of insert in the clamp area of a bar end in my CF handlebars and be okay, or am i just asking for trouble?

Im running a CF handlebar right now and I want bar ends. I am wondering if I could put some sort of insert in the clamp area of a bar end in my CF handlebars and be okay, or am i just asking for trouble?

If you are not careful, yes, you are asking for trouble. If you get barends with the correct clamp/slot geometry, you should be ok. Here's three docs from Easton that explain:

http://www.eastonbike.com/downloadable_files/instal_instr/bar-EN.pdf
http://www.eastonbike.com/downloadable_files/other_pdf/barends.pdf
http://www.eastonbike.com/downloadable_files/r&d_files/R&D-08%20Tending%20the%20Bar.pdf

Yea i know i saw that. but that really doenst leave my with much choice. I emailed control tech and they said their carbon bar ends (which i really wanted by the way) are only compatable with the control tech CF handlebars! Sheesh talk about shimano mimic. Their aluminum ones work but are too small and fat.

The short answer is: if it doesn't have a reinforced area chances are you'll **** it up royally if you attempt to introduce an insert as an afterthought.

Do you think putting, say a small piece of wood inside the ends of the bars and using a clamp on one? Or would it still crack.

Do you think putting, say a small piece of wood inside the ends of the bars and using a clamp on one? Or would it still crack.
Not only would it crack you'd run the risk of crushing the CF between the clamp and the wood. If the act of shoving the wood in there didn't screw things up in the first place. It's not like the manufacturer is expecting someone to shove WOOD in their bars.

It's a BAD IDEA it was bad when that guy suggested breaking of a broomstick or something it's bad now. If it's not reinforced in the first place leave it the **** alone.

well if you see my thread in mtb, i took your advice Raiyn. THanks

Goodo, pc2... even I, in this case, would veer away with fiddling in any way with CF. In the case of handelbars, I would imagine the fabric is laid to account for "bending" stresses caused by pulling up or back on the bars. It probably has *not* been laid to account for the additional "twisting" forces bar extensions would impose. That's without the compression forces associated with the clamping on the ends that would crush the resin and fabric.

well im glad i got a new handlebar. I was always concerned about crushing these ones, never did and its sitll in good condition but i always concerned and I just didnt want to deal with that. So my hopes is that the aluminum one will not leave me with that

Goodo, pc2... even I, in this case, would veer away with fiddling in any way with CF. In the case of handelbars, I would imagine the fabric is laid to account for "bending" stresses caused by pulling up or back on the bars. It probably has *not* been laid to account for the additional "twisting" forces bar extensions would impose. That's without the compression forces associated with the clamping on the ends that would crush the resin and fabric.

If you take the time to read the links I put up earlier (from Easton) you will find that you CAN use bar ends with CF bars - if you do it right. Sorry, but your speculation is not correct.

If you take the time to read the links I put up earlier (from Easton) you will find that you CAN use bar ends with CF bars - if you do it right. Sorry, but your speculation is not correct.
It would serve as a point of reference to note that many flat carbon bars do have some form of reinforcing for bar ends already in their make up while many of the riser bars do not. Personally my MAXM (http://www.maxmcomponents.com/pages/handlebars.html) risers do not have a reinforced area for the mounting of bar ends. (not like I'd want bar ends on a riser in the first place http://img131.echo.cx/img131/4757/puke11gl.gif )
Be safe and get the information from the manufacturer before adding bar ends or other such items

Be safe and get the information from the manufacturer before adding bar ends or other such items

I agree completely - as opposed to being ignorant and just guessing at whether or not something will work. In order to provide an accurate answer to the original poster I referenced three technical documents from one of the largest (THE largest???) manufacturers of carbon fiber components in the industry. According to his answer, he stated that he had already seen these documents and then apparently decided to ignore them, as they did not contain the answer he was looking for. This is despite a list (by specific manufacturers) of four acceptable designs for - exactly - what his original question was asking for. Again, as you so correctly point out, it's important to get the whole story. So, in this case, you need to get a definitive answer on the side of the handlebar manufacturer as well. I found it very interesting that Control Tech does not list any MTB carbon fiber bars on it's site. Only road CF bars and four alloy MTB bars:

http://www.controltechbikes.com/products.asp

One of the beauties of cell phones these days is that long distance calls cost the same as a local call.
So, I just called Control Tech. They informed me that they had never manufactured CF MTB bars and were out of the bike component business (they sold it off to some company in Taiwan). Imagine my surprise. It's interesting at how their statements and those of the original poster are in complete disagreement with each other. There seems to be some confusion about what the real facts are here.

I didnt choose to ignore. I read htat document plenty of times, but I dont like how few choices I have so i decided to ditch these handlebars

I didnt choose to ignore. I read htat document plenty of times, but I dont like how few choices I have so i decided to ditch these handlebars

So, in other words, when you posted your original question ("or am i just asking for trouble?"), you already knew the answer.

No, i was not sure of what i wnated. I later decided on what iw ant to do