Bicycle Mechanics - Bent bars

Took a couple spills last week on the trail and managed to bend the end of my Synchros Hardcore handlebars. My LH barend caught the ground just right and is now turned in and down towards the stem by about 10-15 degrees. Since it's on the end of the bar, can I just remove the barend and ride it 'as is' or should I get a new bar? I'm sure I'll replace it eventually, but I love my Synchros!

If the bar took a hard-enough blow to bend the bar end, there may be unseen stress cracking elsewhere in the bar that you can't see. DON'T RISK HAVING THE BARS FAIL WHILE YOU'RE RIDING! Replace the bar immediately with a new one and discard the old. Unseen stress cracks tend to fail unexpectedly and with no prior notice. If you're going and the bar falls off...

If the bar took a hard-enough blow to bend the bar end, there may be unseen stress cracking elsewhere in the bar that you can't see. DON'T RISK HAVING THE BARS FAIL WHILE YOU'RE RIDING! Replace the bar immediately with a new one and discard the old. Unseen stress cracks tend to fail unexpectedly and with no prior notice. If you're going and the bar falls off...

True. I hadn't really thought that far ahead. I think I'd have more that a bruised knee if that thing failed. Dammit, there goes more beer money....;) BTW, the barends seem to be fine(compared to the bars), but I'm not sure if I want to stick with flat bars or go with risers. Guess I'll see what the LBS has in stock.

Took a couple spills last week on the trail and managed to bend the end of my Synchros Hardcore handlebars. My LH barend caught the ground just right and is now turned in and down towards the stem by about 10-15 degrees. Since it's on the end of the bar, can I just remove the barend and ride it 'as is' or should I get a new bar? I'm sure I'll replace it eventually, but I love my Synchros!

Unfortunately I don't see that Synchros stuff anymore. I've got a couple of seatposts that have served me well over the years.

After a crash, I just replace anything that's damaged. You don't want to take any chances.

After a crash, I just replace anything that's damaged. You don't want to take any chances.

Plus, its the perfect excuse to upgrade :). My dad probably wouldnt want to pay for upgrading my bike unless it was absolutely necessary.

Plus, its the perfect excuse to upgrade :). My dad probably wouldnt want to pay for upgrading my bike unless it was absolutely necessary.

Yeah, but the Sychros was my upgrade. Pretty sure I can't get 'em anymore. Oh, well, I'm so far behind on bike part innovations I'm gonna have to do some research and find me some trick bars. It's not like I don't want to pay for new bars. It's just that mine are stupid light(and I thought stupid strong...). Plus, they're black, with white lettering--that's probably pretty common nowadays, huh?

Get some dirtbike bars. ProTaper makes the Seven Eighths bar.

If you like your teeth, replace your bars more often than you think. Certainly if they have been bent or damaged.

Replace them with the best quality you can afford. Bars and stems are the items that are most likely to cause you to lose control during failure. Failure is most likely during a period of high load/stress. This is the time you don't want them to break.

I have had a road bar break on me, landing a double jump on a BMX track. My teeth are okay, but I ate a heap of dirt. Not nice, I would not reccommend it.

Decided to go with risers, just not sure what brand/width yet. I'd keep my bar ends, but I think that'll be overkill.

Here is a test to do:

Sit on the bike.
Grab the handlebars firmly.
Look at the stem.
Notice the top cap, bolts, etc.
Imagine smashing your mouth against the stem.

If your OK with that, keep your handlebar. If it sounds painful, replace it.