3T handlebars with stem imprint. Safe to ride?

[Mep]

These are a pair of 3T Ergonova Ltd less than a year old. Torqued below spec at 5Nm. I noticed after a ride today that there appears to be depressions on the handlebar where the stem is. On the bottom you can see it causes a crease as well but no cracks.

This is from regular riding, no crashes so I'm not totally sure how this happened. What do you think? Safe or unsafe to ride?

[fogman]

My 3T Ergonova Team Stealth Carbon handlebar has that same imprint and possibly some cracks going laterally from the imprint. It is only 3 months old. My LBS took some pictures and sent them to 3T to see if they will do a warranty replacement.


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[kookie]

I have two 3T Ergonova Team bars both with the same type of imprint from the stem. Seems to be pretty common. Been riding with them for years with the the imprint.

[mentok]

Another one here. I have 2 sets, both with the same imprints. Personally not too concerned

[tommasini]

My 3T Ergonova Team Stealth Carbon handlebar has that same imprint and possibly some cracks going laterally from the imprint. It is only 3 months old. My LBS took some pictures and sent them to 3T to see if they will do a warranty replacement.


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Is it me or does it look like the left side gap is tighter than the right?.....thus a reason for a crack to start? I have 3 of the 3t ltd bars and all have a small depression "imprint" of the stem clamp area in the clear coat. No problems, not surprising either.

[BeeSeeBee]

There was another thread here not too long ago about the same issue.
Raoul Luescher did a video about it as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZwhHRazjK8

[Mep]

I have two 3T Ergonova Team bars both with the same type of imprint from the stem. Seems to be pretty common. Been riding with them for years with the the imprint.

When you guys see the imprints, do you also have weird creases forming?

If it were just imprints of the stem I might feel better about it. The crease (see bottom section of photo in the first post) makes me a little uneasy.

[Mep]

That video makes it look like there are some serious design miscalculations with the 3T Ergonovas.

[kookie]

I have two 3T Ergonova Team bars both with the same type of imprint from the stem. Seems to be pretty common. Been riding with them for years with the the imprint.

When you guys see the imprints, do you also have weird creases forming?

If it were just imprints of the stem I might feel better about it. The crease (see bottom section of photo in the first post) makes me a little uneasy.

Not 100% sure what "creases" are in your picture...Is that the vertical "line" going down the middle (starting from 'design') or the diagonal line. One of my stems has a small diagonal line similar to your second picture ~2mm in length right where the face plate and stem meet.

Edit: creases like in "folds", in that case no. If you feel uncomfortable, replace the handlebar.

[commendatore]

A friend of mine moved a used set of 3T bars and stem onto his gravel bike and installed the bars at a slightly different angle. On rough sections, his bars would drop down and "pop" into the imprint.

[PSM]

That video makes it look like there are some serious design miscalculations with the 3T Ergonovas.

Yep. Crap. No more 3T for me. Possibly alu bar.

[kookie]

Here is a picture of one of my 3T Erognova bars. I've ridden with this for 4+ years now.

The circle on the left doesn't look as bad as it looks. My other bar has a similar indent too.

[Mep]

I have two 3T Ergonova Team bars both with the same type of imprint from the stem. Seems to be pretty common. Been riding with them for years with the the imprint.

When you guys see the imprints, do you also have weird creases forming?

If it were just imprints of the stem I might feel better about it. The crease (see bottom section of photo in the first post) makes me a little uneasy.

Not 100% sure what "creases" are in your picture...Is that the vertical "line" going down the middle (starting from 'design') or the diagonal line. One of my stems has a small diagonal line similar to your second picture ~2mm in length right where the face plate and stem meet.

Edit: creases like in "folds", in that case no. If you feel uncomfortable, replace the handlebar.

It's the diagonal line right above the 3T logo. Thanks for the photo of your bars. Definitely looks more pronounced than mine!

[ms6073]

The circle on the left doesn't look as bad as it looks. My other bar has a similar indent too.

When I had 3T bars and stem on my TT bike, I always assumed those wrinkles/creases were from an overlay with the 3T logo that was wrinkling under the clearcote.

[fh8425]

Previously had a 3t aeronova with extralite stem, torque at recommended value, have pinch mark also. Can't tell if crack or not.