The word “except” seems to contradiction the overall take I read as this is normal, since the pic text seems to indicate it’s fine. Or maybe I am misreading something?
Well, it sounds like they at least didn’t have many warrranty claims, so it should be safe to use.
However, the “it’s normal” - wonder what is normal about it. That they can’t do a neat layup? Or do they design their bars intentionally so that one side looks different to the other?
Will be swerving 3T from now on.
I think the “here” he is referring to is the forum. The bike shop and 3T themselves say it is normal, but “here” some have a different opinion.
Ahhh, got it… I can understand that angle now.
If so, then I will point back to my original statement… (“rather normal”)
This thread is making me anxious. I wish you would send pics to an actual carbon/laminate repair shop as has been suggested. Looks like a wrinkle. Wrinkles aren’t good, especially in such a critical area.
So the 3T (bar maker) comments above are not good enough?
The 3T customer service rep who has one just like it and doesn’t see anything wrong with it? Nope. That would not be good enough for me.
I’m assuming that the picture just makes it look worse than it is?
If you look at the second image the OP posted, I think you’ll see your take is accurate. This just sounds like a cosmetic issue related to either the layup or the outer weave, which is not structural.
I’d have zero concerns riding the bar at this point.
Here’s what the shop where I bought my ‘nekuud’ (no paint) Roubaix and asked about some of the issues in the look of the fiber mats and how they were positioned: ‘Don’t worry about it unless there is a physical wrinkle in the surface, or if you can feel the carbon mats weren’t covered by resin’. They said they did get a carbon frame bike where there WAS some small amount of the carbon mat that was not covered by resin, and sent it back immediately.
So if those bars felt as bad as they look: deal breaker. If they feel smooth and round, I wouldn’t worry about it… That Roubaix, mentioned above, has some really interesting patterns in the carbon and how the mats were wrapped, it adds ‘character’ and would have been totally hidden under a paint job if I had bought it painted.