When to replace handlebar and stem

[dave_sd]

Are there any guidelines on when to replace aluminum bars due to material fatigue life? My road bike is 5-6 years old, as is my mountain bike

[cyclerUK]

Bars do break but I have never come across any replacement recommendation.
I have bars that must be 20 years old which I will happily carry on using.
I do know someone who has had 2 newish drop bars break in the last couple of years but he is a big strong guy.

[nameused]

I know some people here in Hawaii have bikes with half the handlebars gone and the other half still there. Its mostly because the water/humidity gets down in between the shifter and the grip and then the bar rusts at that point then breaks off when enough force is used on it.

I personally have never had my bars break on me, and haven't had any friends with broken bars either from just normal wear and tear.

[JonB]

As above, only replace if they're bent/broken.

Bent bars are weaker due to stress, but in my experience you have to properly smash them into something to make them bend. I've bent a set or two, but that's normally through high speed impacts with trees, etc.

[RobAR]

(04-01-2011, 03:52 PM)JonB Wrote:  ... but in my experience you have to properly smash them into something to make them bend.

Jon. Twice now I have caught you smashing things today. When you wear out that hammer, you may borrow mine.