I've just been given a carbon straight bar. It's very light but has some gloss finishing taken off where the old stem fitted. It belonged to a friend who is in the habit of upgrading regularly and had never had any problems with it.

I just can't bring myself to fit it to my bike because of the outside chance it could break. The thought of going downhill, or anywhere else, with no bar scares me.

I wouldn't have any worries if it was a new bar.