[Chris C]

Monkeys,

I have a Gary Fisher X-Calibur 29'er and everytime I ride I wish my handlebars were about 1" shorter on each side. I feel like I am way too spread out and always have my thumbs wrapped inside my brake brackets. I can't really afford a nice new set of bars, and mine have plenty of straight bar inside the grips.

Can I use a pipe cutter to shorten these bars?? I know how to accurately trim the same amount off each side, but was wondering if there were any issues with compromising the intergrity of the bars.

Thanks for any help,

Chris C.

 

[Quo Fan]

No problem. Remove the grips, cut the bars the same on each side, move the shifters and brake levers and reinstall the grips.

 

[binary visions]

Cut 'em up. Hacksaw is a better way to do it than pipe cutters.

I assume they're not carbon bars if you're considering using a pipe cutter...

 

[mastercycleman]

sure, youCANcut them

 

[Chris C]

Binary visions:
Yeah, they are the alum. bars that came on the bike, overall they are a good quality, stiff bar, but a little long for me.

Hacksaw you say?!?! I gots one of them! I know what I'm doing when I get home!

Thanks for the help guys!

Chris C.

 

[binary visions]

I'd suggest you take a metal file to the edges of the bars when you're done to get rid of the very sharp edge that will be left. No point in leaving sharp edges where they could hurt you.

Hacksaws are almost always better for cutting than pipe cutters, since pipe cutters deform the pipe a little when they cut.

 

[Binaural]

If they are carbon bars.... try this guide for advice on how to cut them. It talks down to the reader a bit, but is very thorough.

 

[Chris C]

Well,

When I got home today, I got out the hacksaw and measuring tape. By my measurement, I needed to remove 1" from each side....

So I cut of 3/4" from each side, filed them smooth and by my sight, did a pretty darn good job.

Now, if it could dry out long enough in NC for me to hit some trails.....

Chris C.

 

[sanjuro]

btw, most people who don't like their length cut down their bars.

nice job, btw.

 

[Chris C]

Yeah, normally I am the type of guy who just starts cutting, and worries about the fallout later. I figured I didn't want to be without my MTB until I could afford new bars, so I dropped the quick question just to make sure.

thanks for all th help!

 

[sanjuro]

Yeah, normally I am the type of guy who just starts cutting, and worries about the fallout later. I figured I didn't want to be without my MTB until I could afford new bars, so I dropped the quick question just to make sure.

thanks for all th help!

btw, that logic does not work with cutting fork steerers. My boss installs the fork first and then marks where to cut. I think he is anal, but he also has not cut a fork short.

 

[binary visions]

btw, that logic does not work with cutting fork steerers. My boss installs the fork first and then marks where to cut. I think he is anal, but he also has not cut a fork short.

I do the same thing :biggrin:

I mean, the crown race has to be installed anyway, and it takes about as much time to just chuck the fork & stem on the bike as it does to dig my ruler out of the toolbox and measure each component...