Abstract
A simple manufacturing method to obtain bent shape tubes with variable cross-section from fibre reinforced composites with application in high performance handlebars for mountain-bicycles was used. The original procedure is able to assure constant pressure upon the reinforcement material, the result being a compact composite, good quality with an optimum reinforcement degree. Tests and analytical computations, based on classical laminated plate theory delivered the engineering constants that have been used in the finite element simulations of two important safety tests for the handlebar (bending and torsion). The experimental results obtained for lateral bending test (critical test) are in agreement with the finite element simulations. Keywords: bicycle handlebar, composite parts, mechanical testing, finite element simulation