I over-tightened them to prevent slipping in an older 1-bolt steel stem…and they immediately slipped causing this gouge (and a slight dent you might be able to make out in the last picture). Are they toast? They are now in a modern 4-bolt stem—no slipping, feels super solid—but the doubt is there.
They are 25.4 clamp steel swept back bars.
by jonhasaproblem
4 Comments
That depends on how you feel about your handlebars failing unexpectedly. Personally I like my teeth and wouldn’t risk it, but you do you.
That’s not a gouge, you cracked them. I didn’t think that was possible with steel bars. Toss them.
They look to have plenty of existing grip. If they aren’t cracked. I’d say in a 4 bolt stem they are not going to move. Don’t use your whole hand and a 6 inch wrench. Easy 2 finger tighten all four, then go back around and 3 finger tighten again. Not much harder, should only be able to turn the bolts no more than an eighth to a quarter turn. Anymore and you’re probably getting them too tight.
Be sure to wipe both surfaces with a degresser/alcohol. You may have had some oil contamination causing your bars to slip. Especially with harder steel parts.
Not worth it. Don’t run them