Clip on TT bars

Does anyone know if clip on TT bars can be used with carbon fibre handlebars? I know the manufacturers say that they shouldn't (I guess so they are not liable if anythin breaks) but is this really something that shouldn't be done?

im only going to take a guess here and say only carbon tt bars for carbon handlebars?? and only use a troque wrench (i learnt Gem) to bolt them on....

However carbon road bars are very thick across the top of the bar...id imagine there would only be a few bars that can accomodate carbon road bars

gemm would be the best person to ask

[Dr Matt]

is this really something that shouldn't be done?

Its probably not a good idea - carbon handlebars are usually NOT reinforced in the areas where aero bars clamp down and thus are easier to damage/crush.

Then there's the added bonus of scratches acting as stress foci which may give you an interesting experience sometime later.

im only going to take a guess here and say only carbon tt bars for carbon handlebars??

what the tt bars are made of should have no relevance at all, the key is the clamp design and how/where your existing bar is reinforced.

[Gemm]

Does anyone know if clip on TT bars can be used with carbon fibre handlebars? I know the manufacturers say that they shouldn't (I guess so they are not liable if anythin breaks) but is this really something that shouldn't be done?

Refer to the carbon bar manufaturer's website to get their specifications. Some (not many) have designed the bar to cope with the stresses. Most say "No" and have the wrong taper to fit them on anyway (particularly the oversize 31.8mm size). Only a few say that you can.
What handlebar are we talking about? If your particular manufacturer says no, I wouldn't do it. Get some aluminium ones if you wan to use TT bars regularly.

Thanks for your responses. The manufacturer is Spacialized and after a bit of reading around I've discovered they say No to clip on Aero bars. I guess I am in the market for a new set of handlebars.

Gemma you said that the taper on oversized bars (which is what I'll have to get unless I replace the headstem as well) may not allow for clip on aero bars. From my limited experience, the oversized diameter does not begin to taper until 40-50mm either side of the headstem clamp (I guess this is different for different manufacturers). From my very limited experience with Aero bars, am I wrong in saying that this is enough space for them to clamp on?

I guess before I buy new handlebars I need to check that they do not taper to early....which is hard if ordering from PBK...oh well.

Cheers for your help,
Ben