What are my handlebars made of?
#1
What are my handlebars made of?
Sorry to be clueless about such a thing.... but I need some new grips for my bike and many say they are only compatible with certain materials.
Specifically, I'd like to get these grips:
https://www.amazon.com/Weanas%C2%AE-G...=bicycle+grips
for this bike:

Not to be lazy, but is there any reason why these wouldn't just slide on and be ready to go? I don't know what any of these specs mean...... I'm not sure I know if my bike is made of carbon fiber or something else, or if these grips are going to interfere with my shifters, and so forth.
Thanks for your help. My bike still has the stock foam hand grips shown in the picture, and they're crumbling away in my hands every time I ride.
Specifically, I'd like to get these grips:
https://www.amazon.com/Weanas%C2%AE-G...=bicycle+grips
for this bike:
Not to be lazy, but is there any reason why these wouldn't just slide on and be ready to go? I don't know what any of these specs mean...... I'm not sure I know if my bike is made of carbon fiber or something else, or if these grips are going to interfere with my shifters, and so forth.
Thanks for your help. My bike still has the stock foam hand grips shown in the picture, and they're crumbling away in my hands every time I ride.
Last edited by Bikeforumuser0019; 07-28-15 at 08:00 AM. Reason: embiggen picture
#3
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,977
Likes: 5
From: Columbia, SC
Bikes: 2014 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 4 Rival; 2014 Cannondale Trail 7 29; 1972 Schwinn Suburban, 1996 Proflex 756, 1987(?) Peugeot, Dahon Speed P8; 1979 Raleigh Competition GS; 1995 Stumpjumper M2 FS, 1978 Raleigh Sports, Schwinn Prologue
You have absolutely zero carbon fibre on your bike. Probably steel handlebars, and if not steel than aluminum. Easy way to test would be with a magnet. Any grips will work. The ones you posted will be fine. I have never heard of grips that wouldn't work with certain materials. The only thing you might need to do is reposition your shifters and brake levers, which is as simple as loosening their mounting screw. For what it's worth though, if you have any more questions about your bike specifically you can find pretty good grips at your LBS that will be that price or less. I pad $10 for a set of ergo styled grips.
Last edited by bmthom.gis; 07-28-15 at 08:21 AM.
#4
I would say most likely steel bars came on a bike with 200GS components.
I am not familiar with grips that are handlebar-material specific. The grips you linked will definitely work on your bars. If you had crabon fibre bars then maybe you would have to be extra careful about tightening a clamp-on grip, but otherwise you are good to go.
I am not familiar with grips that are handlebar-material specific. The grips you linked will definitely work on your bars. If you had crabon fibre bars then maybe you would have to be extra careful about tightening a clamp-on grip, but otherwise you are good to go.
#5
Prefers Cicero

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,860
Likes: 146
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1984 Trek 520; 2007 Bike Friday NWT; misc others
Certainly not carbon fibre, if that is the concern. You have a more old-school frame made of a high quality chromium-molybdenum steel alloy (cro-moly, or cro-mo as they say in the brochure), and that is the part that would be carbon fibre if this was an ultralight modern racing bike. I couldn't find the mention of material compatibility on the amazon link - what is it that the grips don't work with?
#6
Certainly not carbon fibre, if that is the concern. You have a more old-school frame made of a high quality chromium-molybdenum steel alloy (cro-moly, or cro-mo as they say in the brochure), and that is the part that would be carbon fibre if this was an ultralight modern racing bike. I couldn't find the mention of material compatibility on the amazon link - what is it that the grips don't work with?
For example, this one specifically says not to use it with carbon fiber handlebars. I thought I remembered seeing other listings that explicitly said not for carbon fiber handlebars. but maybe imagined it?
Thanks everyone for your help.
#7
Some grips clamp onto the handlebars, and are not for CF. Unless someone swapped out the bars, they are probably not CF. Swing by a bike shop if in doubt as to suitability. Here is something from Ergon:
ERGON BIKE ERGONOMICS
ERGON BIKE ERGONOMICS
#8
Prefers Cicero

Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 12,860
Likes: 146
From: Toronto
Bikes: 1984 Trek 520; 2007 Bike Friday NWT; misc others
You probably remember correctly. However your handlebars are almost certainly aluminum or steel. Carbon fibre structures that I have seen have a sort of clear resin coating and the cross-hatched pattern of the wrapped fibres is visible through it. As well it is usually brightly labelled. It they look more like metal, they are metal!
Last edited by cooker; 07-28-15 at 08:45 AM.
#10
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,301
Likes: 14
From: La La Land (We love it!)
Bikes: Gilmour road, Curtlo road; both steel (of course)
The spec sheet calls out the bars but does not mention the material so my vote is for steel.
BTW, many shops will install replacements at no charge of you buy them from them...
BTW, many shops will install replacements at no charge of you buy them from them...
__________________
Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here...
Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here...
#11
Disco Infiltrator




Joined: May 2013
Posts: 15,324
Likes: 3,516
From: Folsom CA
Bikes: Stormchaser, Paramount, Tilt, Samba tandem
On that bike, I vote pig iron, or maybe magnetite.
__________________
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Genesis 49:16-17
"Well, well!" said Holmes, impatiently. "A good cyclist does not need a high road. The moor is intersected with paths and the moon is at the full."
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Robbieisbobert
General Cycling Discussion
20
04-09-11 02:10 PM






