Bicycle Mechanics - Handlebar fatigue

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Mzungu
09-11-02, 10:46 PM
I have a Cinelli stem on a road bike that completely broke off yesterday 5cm from the stem, luckily i was going slow.

Does this happen . I have to ride 1km on rough dirt road to get to tarred road, but i would think the handlebar could take that. I hit those large and small speed bumps on every ride but jump the ripple bumps mostly and try to lift up on the front for big ones.

Embaressed to admit that i was hearing creaking but attributed it to a new stem i had just put on. But i am not sure i would of seen a crack on inspection anyway.

Am i riding stupidly or just stupid for not checking that creak more.

Erik

MichaelW
09-12-02, 05:41 AM
It shouldnt happen, but sometimes it does. Road stems should easily cope with rough ground.

Was the stem new or used?
Is the stem one where the split for the bars is open at the top or at the bottom ? Ive heard that the top split designes are weaker.
Mzungu
09-12-02, 06:19 AM
Originally posted by MichaelW
It shouldnt happen, but sometimes it does. Road stems should easily cope with rough ground.


I bought the whole bike second hand. I removed Cinelli stem with split at bottom and replaced with Performance with split at top and bottom. It was around then i would hear creaking.

Note: It was the HANDLEBAR and not the stem that broke.

I am only 160lbs.

Erik