So one of the things that often gets missed in these kinds of discussions is that it isn't only the carbon footprint that matter, but sometimes just the literal trash generated.
As stated above, and completely true basically everywhere in the world is the fact that carbon fiber is not recycled (if you try to disprove this by special use cases you are only pointing out the exception to the generalized rule). And that means it's just basic trash that will sit for unbelievable periods of time, completely useless. In this case assuming you can be actually justified in replacing bars every 12-18 months you are creating a lot of waste. With alloy it all literally just goes into the blue bin, OR you can get paid for it at a scrap center.
I hear your comment about weight Cooper, but that is a might small weight savings to be generating that much continued trash, especially trash that is non-recyclable.
What I am actually most curious about is the validity that having a a bar from the mid 2000's relates to the need to replace bars so often. Details like; Was that bar correctly torqued when it was installed? How many serious/severe events was it subjected to previously? Are bars the same strength as they were 20 years ago? All seem like they would need to be answered to advocate for throwing away what are likely perfectly functional components.
I also find it interesting that even though forks are made from significant bits of aluminum that these (or any other alloy component) isn't included in this replace and discard schedule. Like do you get a new frame (carbon or alloy) every time you take a bad crash? Do you replace a front rim each time you ping it severely? Do you replace a crank arm every time you have a hard pedal strike? I think you can see where this is going . . .
It seems this is a place for some enterprising journalist to do some actual testing and talk to experts in their respective fields. Because right now it seems that you are afraid of the boogieman, so you replace your bars regularly, and since you've done that no boogieman. But understand that the one does not follow as causation for the other.
March 3, 2022, 8:39 p.m. - BarryW
So one of the things that often gets missed in these kinds of discussions is that it isn't only the carbon footprint that matter, but sometimes just the literal trash generated. As stated above, and completely true basically everywhere in the world is the fact that carbon fiber is not recycled (if you try to disprove this by special use cases you are only pointing out the exception to the generalized rule). And that means it's just basic trash that will sit for unbelievable periods of time, completely useless. In this case assuming you can be actually justified in replacing bars every 12-18 months you are creating a lot of waste. With alloy it all literally just goes into the blue bin, OR you can get paid for it at a scrap center. I hear your comment about weight Cooper, but that is a might small weight savings to be generating that much continued trash, especially trash that is non-recyclable. What I am actually most curious about is the validity that having a a bar from the mid 2000's relates to the need to replace bars so often. Details like; Was that bar correctly torqued when it was installed? How many serious/severe events was it subjected to previously? Are bars the same strength as they were 20 years ago? All seem like they would need to be answered to advocate for throwing away what are likely perfectly functional components. I also find it interesting that even though forks are made from significant bits of aluminum that these (or any other alloy component) isn't included in this replace and discard schedule. Like do you get a new frame (carbon or alloy) every time you take a bad crash? Do you replace a front rim each time you ping it severely? Do you replace a crank arm every time you have a hard pedal strike? I think you can see where this is going . . . It seems this is a place for some enterprising journalist to do some actual testing and talk to experts in their respective fields. Because right now it seems that you are afraid of the boogieman, so you replace your bars regularly, and since you've done that no boogieman. But understand that the one does not follow as causation for the other.