Originally Posted by
Brian Ratliff
Not necessarily. It depends on the quality of the layup and how the curing process was carried out. Is 1/8" stronger than 1/16"? Maybe yes, maybe no. Point is there are more variables for composites than there are for metals.
This is really splitting hairs. OK, lets pretend that the quality of the layup was similar and the curing process was appropriate for carbon of that thickness. All other things being equal, the thicker wall tubing is going to be stronger.
This is a pdf from specialized:
http://cdn.specialized.com/OA_MEDIA/...ion_OL_1pg.pdf
Doesn't mention lubricating the installion bolts of a carbon road stem. Not saying that it is wrong to do it. I'm saying that it doesn't appear to be mandatory to the installation of their stems. Perhaps the OP can tell us if the Cutter's instructions recommended lubricating the threads.
The end of that pdf says that visual inspection of carbon fiber is difficult that and if there is reason to think the bar is damaged (wrecked bike) that it should be inspected by Specialized even if there is no visual evidence of damage. That bar was toast the second they heard crack. Even if they had inspected it and found no visual damage, they should not have put it on the bike. It should have gone in the mail back to the seller or into the trash as a lesson learned. You'd be nuts to trust a bar that you heard a distinct crack during installation even if it looked ok to you.