Gee, I forgot that I actually practice what I preach. Have to take a look at my own bikes one of these days.
Joe B-Z
GNNJ
> Inspection is indeed a wise thing to do. I have Joe Bender-Zanoni to thank
> for catching a crack 1/3 of the way around the circumference of a ttt
> Superleggera bar that I was about to mount on a bike at the Cirque this
past
> year. It looked superficially to be a scratch and that is what I took it
to
> be. It was right at the engraving near the stem which had pretty obviously
> acted as a stress riser on that "tin foil" bar (no printed warning on this
> one). He saw it, ran a fingernail over it, and thankfully called it to my
> attention. Still have all of my teeth...
>
> Charlie "Ecologist that has broken a few aluminum things over the years"
> Young
> Honeybrook, PA
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <Sid_Smith@baxter.com>
> Cc: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
> Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2003 9:14 PM
> Subject: Re: [CR]Replacing Aluminum Handlebars
>
>
> >
> > Dale, please forgive the "me too". but we oughta put this one to bed.
> >
> > Jerry is correct. Aluminum may oxidize a few microns, but unless you
load
> > it, it's good to go in a day or a decade. Now, the crazy light bars on
> the
> > other hand may be failing not from fatigue, but from a stress riser
caused
> > by the stem clamp.
> >
> > I prefer to be confident in my equipment, so I deburr the stem edges
where
> > the bar is clamped, a few moments with crocus cloth and the stem is
ready
> > for a bar. I'd bet far more bars have failed from improper installation
> > than "fatigue". It is also prudent to inspect your bike periodically
for
> > cracks, bent parts etc. I'm at a triathlon this weekend, and assembled
my
> > buddies bikes last night. Given the condition they arrived in, I
wouldn't
> > have ridden either of them. They'll be safe Saturday, but each got a
list
> > of things to take care of over the winter.
> >
> > Regarding my background, I'm an engineer - Chem E. / Mechanical , but
more
> > importantly, am a practicing design engineer (medical devices). As
such,
> I
> > try to stay passably current on failure modes and effects. Aluminum is
> > employed in some of my work. Unless you are storing it in a corrosive
> > atmosphere, I wouldn't be too concerned about aging.
> >
> > Sid Smith
> > Currently enjoying very warm weather in Clermont, FL where he is about
to
> > engage in some very off topic activities.