I currently run a 25.4mm diameter handlebar on a Trans-X Components
'Shorty' stem with a reducer in the stem to suit the thin bars.  I want
to change the bars to stronger 38.1mm as I'm starting to get a bit more
adventurous again as my health and fitness return.  No worries on the
stem/handlebar as such but the question is willl my shifters/brake
levers also need to be changed?  Tektro v-brakes and Shimano Deore
(IIRC) shifters ... both have alloy clamps.

See pics here ...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/35295373@N00/2907145848/in/photostream/
just this one and the one before it.

It looks to me like the brakes could be persuaded to extend far enough
to clamp onto the wider bars, and possibly the shifters, but does
anyone else (I'm a little concerned I'll stress them too much) think
they might then become a bit of a liability?  Does anyone think they're
very much more likely to fail suddenly under braking pressure?  Does it
seem an acceptable risk?

I (obviously) won't hold anyone responsible for their answers as this
will likely be a short-term measure and I'll probably cave in and buy
different shifters/levers anyway, but for now we're a bit skint and
don't really want to if they're unnecessary.  ;)

-- 
Paul - xxx

'96/'97 Landrover Discovery 300 Tdi 'Big and Butch'
Dyna Tech Cro-Mo comp "When I feel fit enough'
ebay stuff   http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/paul-xxx

"Paul - xxx"  wrote in message 
news:6kjl4vF8au2lU1@mid.individual.net...
>I currently run a 25.4mm diameter handlebar on a Trans-X Components
> 'Shorty' stem with a reducer in the stem to suit the thin bars.  I want
> to change the bars to stronger 38.1mm as I'm starting to get a bit more
> adventurous again as my health and fitness return.  No worries on the
> stem/handlebar as such but the question is willl my shifters/brake
> levers also need to be changed?  Tektro v-brakes and Shimano Deore
> (IIRC) shifters ... both have alloy clamps.
>
> See pics here ...
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/35295373@N00/2907145848/in/photostream/
> just this one and the one before it.
>
> It looks to me like the brakes could be persuaded to extend far enough
> to clamp onto the wider bars, and possibly the shifters, but does
> anyone else (I'm a little concerned I'll stress them too much) think
> they might then become a bit of a liability?  Does anyone think they're
> very much more likely to fail suddenly under braking pressure?  Does it
> seem an acceptable risk?

Stretching brake clamps like that to fit wider bars is a no-no. However 
fortunately the bars aren't fatter at the control end, only in the middle, 
so you won't need to :-)

cheers,
clive

Clive George wrote:

> "Paul - xxx"  wrote in message
> news:6kjl4vF8au2lU1@mid.individual.net...

> > It looks to me like the brakes could be persuaded to extend far
> > enough to clamp onto the wider bars, and possibly the shifters, but
> > does anyone else (I'm a little concerned I'll stress them too much)
> > think they might then become a bit of a liability?  Does anyone
> > think they're very much more likely to fail suddenly under braking
> > pressure?  Does it seem an acceptable risk?
> 
> Stretching brake clamps like that to fit wider bars is a no-no.
> However fortunately the bars aren't fatter at the control end, only
> in the middle, so you won't need to :-)

Jeez ... now you mention it ... ISTR you're right.  When I put these
bars on the originals were thicker Ti XC bars and not suitable for what
I wanted as my needs changed.  Many thanks.

<feel a bit silly and sheepish now>  ;) 

-- 
Paul - xxx  somewhere different ...
'96/'97 Landrover Discovery 300 Tdi
Dyna Tech Cro-Mo comp
ebay stuff   http://shop.ebay.co.uk/merchant/paul-xxx

On 2 Oct 2008 10:12:47 GMT, Paul - xxx wrote:

> I currently run a 25.4mm diameter handlebar on a Trans-X Components
> 'Shorty' stem with a reducer in the stem to suit the thin bars.  I want
> to change the bars to stronger 38.1mm as I'm starting to get a bit more
> adventurous again as my health and fitness return.  No worries on the
> stem/handlebar as such but the question is willl my shifters/brake
> levers also need to be changed?  Tektro v-brakes and Shimano Deore
> (IIRC) shifters ... both have alloy clamps.
> 
> See pics here ...
> http://www.flickr.com/photos/35295373@N00/2907145848/in/photostream/
> just this one and the one before it.
> 
> It looks to me like the brakes could be persuaded to extend far enough
> to clamp onto the wider bars, and possibly the shifters, but does
> anyone else (I'm a little concerned I'll stress them too much) think
> they might then become a bit of a liability?  Does anyone think they're
> very much more likely to fail suddenly under braking pressure?  Does it
> seem an acceptable risk?
> 
> I (obviously) won't hold anyone responsible for their answers as this
> will likely be a short-term measure and I'll probably cave in and buy
> different shifters/levers anyway, but for now we're a bit skint and
> don't really want to if they're unnecessary.  ;)

Typically clamps such as those are cast, and cast aluminium alloys are
often what is called "cold short" - they are brittle at low temperatures.
Don't spread 'em, they may well break - perhaps when you least expect/need
it.