My sweat has dissolved my bike

[Joey Ramone]

Noticed the other day that my handlebars weren't quite right. Stripped off the bar tape and was rather surprised to say the least.

It appears that predominantly rollers based (and sweat heavy) training regime has resulted in this:





There was a load of stinking dry stuff under the tape which I can only presume was dried salt. Disgusting.

[marky911]

Wo, st!
Good job you found that. Wouldn't have wanted them snapping off when you were doing 45mph down a hill.

Looks like they're ali bars that have corroded through. Ali doesn't rust but it goes all powdery.

[daddy cool]

Are you an alien?

[Joey Ramone]

The right hand bar was ready to snap in two where you can see the crack. The left hand bar had not only corroded through where you can see the holes, but right under the shifter it was essentially hanging together simply because of the bar tape.

And yes, my regular route includes a 45mph hill.

[Joey Ramone]

daddy cool said:

Are you an alien?

I didn't know whether to be revolted or impressed.

Another pic

Edited by Joey Ramone on Saturday 16th May 22:45

[Some Gump]

Respect to whoever engineered your gusset, is all I can say!

[TKF]

Blimey. I'm an, erm, efficient sweater myself. Might have to get the tape off my turbo bike.

[Joey Ramone]

Be prepared for the smell. It reminded me of having the cast taken off my leg after 3 months.

[Gretchen]

daddy cool said:

Are you an alien?

This is what crossed my mind. Scary stuff.

[Matt_N]

That's both alarming and disgusting!

[Usget]

OP - what happens when you need a wee?

[Thorpy]

I'm quite the sweaty betty so I may have to keep an eye on my bars too! Could be a good excuse to go carbon?

[gazza285]

More carbon required...

[nammynake]

I'm guessing you don't drape a towel over your bars when on the rollers?

[Joey Ramone]

Usget said:

OP - what happens when you need a wee?

[Joey Ramone]

nammynake said:

I'm guessing you don't drape a towel over your bars when on the rollers?

I will do from now on!

[anonymous-user]

That's awesome. I have total respect for the OP after effectively destroying his handlebars with sweat from his turbo/roller suffrage.

I'm looking at my turbo bike handlebars now and they look pristine. But I do wear gloves and use a towel.

[Clinton Baptiste]

Chuffing Nora! Good work op! +1 for the towel draped over the bars.

[Gruffy]

Hour many hours had that set of bar tape logged? Curious to know how long this effect took?

[Joey Ramone]

Pretty much two years to the day. Average about two rollers sessions a week in the summer, four a week in the winter. So not that long really.

Just sprayed the new bars with ACF 50!