Clip-on aerobars onto carbon bars.

[adomluka]

I'm racing an important stage race on the weekend and the time trial bike I used last season is no longer fit for purpose, I have clamp-on/clip-on aerobars that work fine but I have carbon bars on my road bike. Can I do something along the lines of electrical taping the bars for the time trial and putting the aerobars on over the tape and then removing the tape after the race? I'd rather not have to go Eddy Merckx style so any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[winkybiker]

My 3T carbon bars specifically state that they are not suitable for clip-on aero bars. Don't know about yours. Why not swap to some alloy bars for the event?

 

[fatsprintking]

When carbon bars were kind of new a few years ago I used the old electrical tape on the bar under the clamps trick and it managed to then pull off all the clear coat when I took them off.

They were Oval bars and so I spoke to oval saying this was a bit of an issue given that you were likely to get tape on the clear coat when doing your handlebar tape and I was told by the boss that the bars should never have clip on bars attached and that that was true for all carbon bars unless specifically designed for them.

So I would agree with the idea to use some cheap alloy bars for the race. to be honest carbon bars are in my opinion more about fashion than any real improvement in any case.

 

[Master50]

Only use clip ons that are specifically compatible with the bar you have installed. It is not too hard to destroy a carbon bar by crushing the tube. You may not even see any damage and find your bars in 2 pieces in the middle of a ride. Even small variations in shape of the bar versus shape of the clamp can cause damage.

 

[laziali]

Only use clip ons that are specifically compatible with the bar you have installed. It is not too hard to destroy a carbon bar by crushing the tube. You may not even see any damage and find your bars in 2 pieces in the middle of a ride. Even small variations in shape of the bar versus shape of the clamp can cause damage.

+1000

Carbon bars are NOT designed to take much in the way of crushing force. It's got to do with the angles of the carbon layup - basically depending on the angles that you lay each sheet on the next, you can build a carbon tube to withstand one, several or all forces. But the more forces covered, the more layers (and resin) and so the heavier.

Honestly though, get yourself some good aluminium bars. They are stiffer than carbon and the weight difference in marginal - you will lose whatever gain you make, and then some, because the bars will be a noodle.

Plus, carbon bars withstand exactly zero crashes. That is the reason most pros ride alu bars.

Pre-emptive defensive disclaimer - my bars are about the only non-carbon thing on my bike

 

[winkybiker]

+1000

Carbon bars are NOT designed to take much in the way of crushing force. It's got to do with the angles of the carbon layup - basically depending on the angles that you lay each sheet on the next, you can build a carbon tube to withstand one, several or all forces. But the more forces covered, the more layers (and resin) and so the heavier.

Honestly though, get yourself some good aluminium bars. They are stiffer than carbon and the weight difference in marginal - you will lose whatever gain you make, and then some, because the bars will be a noodle.

Plus, carbon bars withstand exactly zero crashes. That is the reason most pros ride alu bars.

Pre-emptive defensive disclaimer - my bars are about the only non-carbon thing on my bike

Lots of really good advice here. (disclaimer - I ride carbon bars)