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I've been a bit slow to overcome my nervousness around carbon components but have fallen in love with my carbon mountain bike fork and am thinking of now trying some bars.
There seems to be plenty available secondhand but of course I'd have no idea whether they'd been abused, over torqued or otherwise compromised. If a carbon bar shows no visible signs of damage would it be safe to go, or should I just pay the extra and buy new (lots of cheapish options around)?
I've got, and had another set, of second hand carbon bars and they've been fine. One Race Face, one Easton. Both bought from regulars on here.
Yes and I have done, but only burly ones meant for DH or enduro.
I know they can take a real beating from the way my previous ones have survived all sorts.
there are no guarantees in life, a failure can happen to any component given the right conditions be that from manufacture or just the wrong angle or force during impact. a friend managed to carry on riding his broken carbon handle bars for another 50 odd miles before, luckily, it came off in his hand while stationary!? so despite checking all was well with the bike at the time, hard to tell really. (he later found a crack his in helmet too!)
TBH, with bars I'd rather buy new aluminum than second hand carbon.
The number of carbon bars I've seen with gouges, creases and splits in them from over tightening, dropping and just generally not understanding the limitations of the material is enough to put me right off used carbon.
Too many opportunities for the original owner to muck it up.
Friend purchased a second hand carbon frame from Pinkbike and no one has seen him sense, makes you think.
Oh hold on, i did see him. Erm, yep.
Carbon bars are relatively cheap new (on-one were knocking them out for £35), I'd not bother with secondhand, personally. Frame I'd be happy to buy (and have).
All my has been 2nd hand and no problems yet. I figure that as long as it's not damaged, having had someone else ride it a few miles will likely have revealed any structural issues already.
Carbon bars are not that expensive in the first place. A saving of what, £30, doesn't seem worth it on that part. A frame would be different, would make more sense.
Perhaps a better question would have been whether cheap [new] carbon bars are worth the risk. Carbon bars seem to vary hugely in price from at 20 quid for something dodgy off ebay (via China) to around £150. I was toying with the possibility of picking up a quality brand (Renthal, Easton etc.) secondhand when perhaps something new but cheaper makes more sense.
I wish On-One did a lower rise (or flat) chewy Knuckleball then I wouldn't have to deliberate.
Theres cheap and then cheap. I picked up some decent branded ones for 50 some quid from crc. Don't think I'd want to go cheaper, or unbranded.
And at that price you are also getting into mid/top end aluminum. Which is what I was looking for when I got the carbons.
I would buy but only from someone I know.
There are a lot of counterfeit components out there and buying one of those new or second hand would potentially be an issue.
I've bought off here with no problems, but only Easton or Raceface. People on here I'd trust, got photos to see scratches, and we are not that hard on bikes in our family.
If anyone has any 27.2mm carbon seat posts or 25.4mm carbon handlebars going surplus, my wife and kids would be very grateful!
^^^
Selcof and FSA carbon 27.2mm posts at PX for £13/34.
Those Selcof ones look fantastic but I can't get my head around the concept of a [i]white[/i] carbon MTB post!
Not a chance.
No, not when you can get decent carbon bars cheaply. I bought these (I got them for £40) 6 months ago and they've been great- can't fault them: