We've moved to carbon bars on several of our new bikes.

In general, I like them pretty well. They are lightweight and seem to dampen bumps better.

I have a problem with clamping them. Most have "grit" in the area where they are clamped. I assume this is to increase the coefficient of friction with the stem. If I have adjusted the bars several times, this grit seems to wear out and the bars slip. I have increased the torque above the spec to try to keep it from rotating. I think the torque spec is about 62 in-lbs. I have upped it to nearly 70 in-lb. I've made sure that the gap at the top of the clamp & the bottom is about equal. They are no longer slipping but I think hitting one big bump could cause them to rotate downward.

Have others had this problem? Is there a recommended fix?

Ditto on the carbon paste.

Yep carbon paste, it will also fix creaky carbon seat posts. If you use the paste correctly you shouldn't need to go paste the torque settings.

Thanks!

+1