Mountain Biking - Handlebar replacement

So I have the '09 Rockhopper and my girlfriend has the '09 Myka which is also affected by the Specialized recall. The handlebars they replaced them with from Bontrager feel drastically different. I called the LBS today about it and they said it would take a couple weeks before they could replace them with the stock ones from Specialized. The handlebar just feels like a poor replacement, and the answer I got from whoever I was with on the phone sounded a bit weak. So what should I do here, was his answer accurate, do I ride with the handlebars or do I go in with the bikes and see if a different answer happens then?

Just tell Specialized their dealer is using Trek parts on their bikes, that should get the ball rolling :lol:
What was wrong with the original handlebars?

The original bars were forged wrong or something along those lines, there's a recall on them.

The original bars were forged wrong or something along those lines, there's a recall on them.

You're not sure what the deal is?

I went in to my LBS to look at gloves, the manager told my girlfriend and I of the recall on the handlebars, he mentioned them not being forged properly and there are reports of the bars failing. So supposedly there's a recall, but I didn't see anything on the specialized website.

My girlfriend and I collectively dropped $1500 on bikes and helmets at the LBS. The handlebars that they put on have a drastically different feel, so I'm just wondering how I should be handling this as a consumer.

Just tell Specialized their dealer is using Trek parts on their bikes, that should get the ball rolling :lol:
What was wrong with the original handlebars?


Thats a really good point. There is a Specialized dealer up the road from me. I have gotten to know the guys up there pretty well. And the one thing I did learn is, almost everything they sell has to come from Specialized, including tubes of all things. They have very strict contracts with there dealers. If nothing else call the shop back and tell the owner if its not fixed soon you will call Specialized and tell them just what the last poster said. I bet that will put a big fire under there butt.

At first I thought that might be a joke, but I take it Bontrager is owned by Trek?

Thats a really good point. There is a Specialized dealer up the road from me. I have gotten to know the guys up there pretty well. And the one thing I did learn is, almost everything they sell has to come from Specialized, including tubes of all things. They have very strict contracts with there dealers. If nothing else call the shop back and tell the owner if its not fixed soon you will call Specialized and tell them just what the last poster said. I bet that will put a big fire under there butt.


That's interesting the shop I worked for deals both Trek and Specialized and we had Bonti tubes. Just sayin'

My LBS sells Trek, Cannondale, and Specialized.

At first I thought that might be a joke, but I take it Bontrager is owned by Trek?

Yes, along with Klein, LeMond, Gary Fisher...

Didn't see it on the CPSC site yet, but did see this http://bangtailbikes.blogspot.com/2009/03/specialized-handlebar-recall.html

So, I'm still looking for the best way to handle this, is it to go in and talk to a manager about the handlebar and if I don't hear an answer that's better than two weeks, I'll call Specialized and tell them the LBS put Bontrager handlebars on my Trek?

I really like the shop and this feels more jerk customer than I like to get when things aren't right.

That's interesting the shop I worked for deals both Trek and Specialized and we had Bonti tubes. Just sayin'

There may be other shops in the country or area that do sell both Trek and Specialized, and other parts. But for whatever reason the one by me doesn't, with the exception of Marin Bikes. But they also said they had to fight like crazy with Specialized to be able to carry that brand in there shop. Every contract with every bike shop is going to vary. The way i found this out was when I needed a tube, and they wanted $7.00 for them. Thats when the shop owner told me the scope. Maby he is BSing me.

The handlebar may feel different for a number of reasons ie. rise, sweep, width. The bars may be similar spec. but the Bontrager may not be rotated fore or aft as your previous bar. When you find the position you like on your bike you should note the distances and the sizes of parts. Inquire with the Store Manager and let them know things feel different and not in a good way.

So, I'm still looking for the best way to handle this, is it to go in and talk to a manager about the handlebar and if I don't hear an answer that's better than two weeks, I'll call Specialized and tell them the LBS put Bontrager handlebars on my Trek?

I really like the shop and this feels more jerk customer than I like to get when things aren't right.

While it'd be interesting to know what the actual differences in the bars are, it really doesn't matter if you don't like them. From the little I saw on this, I suspect Specialized hasn't actually shipped replacement bars out to the shops yet, so they're putting the response so far on the shop owners, who probably don't want to give away too much for Specialized but want to stay in your good graces at the same time. Go talk calmly to the shop people again, just saying you liked (whatever aspect it is that's different) and do they have another bar that's closer to the original? Hear their side of the story, they didn't create the situation, Specialized did. Remember, this is an industry where the shop usually has to eat all time and effort in warranty situations, and likely the labor in switching bars out for Specialized...

I was joking (somewhat) about the Bontrager bars, I don't think either Trek or Specialized offers anything particularly unique in the way of handlebars in any case, there should be a solution and the brand won't matter...

The shop has told me that when Specialized does ship out the handlebars they'll replace them for free. In the mean time we can ride as much as we want with the Bontrager bars. I just hope it doesn't take Specialized too long for the new bars. I'm not sure the specs on the Bontrager bars, but the Specialized bars had an 8 degree back sweep and 8 degrees up as well. I rode a bit more upright, but could lean forward if I had to, which felt a lot more comfortable.

My LBS sells Trek, Cannondale, and Specialized.Whoa. I think I can envision the sign:

"SUCKS Я US"

Heh...actually it's Omer and Bobs