[Kevin]

Title says it all.
Easton monkeylite handlebar's and the EC 70 composite seatpost.
Ill probably be wanting to cut down the seatpost too.
Tips n tricks are more then welcome...

 

[buildyourown]

My only experience with cutting carbon involved a carbon steerer tube on a road fork. I was almost all the way through with the hack saw when the carbon splintered and tore a big chunk out of the tube. So, be careful and go slow. Don't push on the saw, and use a FINE tooth blade.

As for bars: No sharp edges and don't over-tighten. That is all pretty common knowledge though

 

[James | Go-Ride]

Hack saw? No dice buddy. Use a dremel with a cutting wheel.

 

[speedster]

If you're going to use a hacksaw use a guide...similar to the one you use to cut a steerer tube.

 

[buildyourown]

Hack saw? No dice buddy. Use a dremel with a cutting wheel.

Well there you go. My hacksaw experience with the new road fork was years ago when they first came out. It was a learning experience.

 

[EVRAC]

Nothing wrong with hacksaws, it's what Easton recomends:

http://www.eastonbike.com/downloadable_files/r&d_files/R&D-05-Carbon.pdf

There you go.

 

[sayndesyn]

Easton has a how-to for cutting there carbon bars. I'd read it. Must be one light dh rig you are working on.

 

[James | Go-Ride]

What manufacturers recommend and what doesn't cause the carbon to splinter apart can sometimes be two different methods. Just speaking from experience.

 

[Transcend]

Tape wrapped around the tube and cut through may help with splintering. I am with James on this one tho, dremel at 40k rpm and a heavy duty cutting wheel.

 

[sayndesyn]

True.. And since you're cutting it I am guessing you are in warantee no mans land. Personally I'd stear clear of carbon fiber on downhill bikes unless I was getting the parts for free. If so I would splinter them all season with a smile on my face.

 

[DHS]

If you're going to use a hacksaw use a guide...similar to the one you use to cut a steerer tube.

yup did this, worked well for my carbon bars. except i also took some electrical tape and taped over what i was cutting, worked like a charm

 

[DHS]

True.. And since you're cutting it I am guessing you are in warantee no mans land. Personally I'd stear clear of carbon fiber on downhill bikes unless I was getting the parts for free. If so I would splinter them all season with a smile on my face.

um if i were getting carbon parts for free, i'd probaly steer from those the most...

 

[OGRipper]

If so I would splinter them all season with a smile on my face.

Think you'd be smiling if you spear yourself in the butt with a broken seatpost splinter...?

 

[Kevin]

Thnx so far. I had seen the instructions before but I knew there would be at least one monkey who knew a better way. Hacksaw sounds so Neanderthal...
Im not cutting the bars just the seatpost cause I like my seat low and my bike has little room for a seat post under the seat tube.
And yes, I guess it will be a pretty light DH rig, thats the whole ID
Pics will follow in a few weeks once she's built.
Anyone wanna share more experiances or tips keep m coming!

 

[Mark W]

I know this doesn't apply to seatposts, but since we are sort of on the topic...
To cut my carbon bars I use two old lock-on grip clamps as a guide for my hacksaw. Just clamp one lightly on each side of where you want to cut. I get a really nice clean and straight cut. As others have said, be very careful near the end. Can't think of anything similar for a seat post tho...

 

[BigMike]

don't grease your seatpost

 

[Kntr]

Why oh why do you want to run a carbon bar and seatpost? Haven't you read all the bad experiences with carbon bars. Even the bike mags break carbon seatposts during testing. Some even break in one day. Anyway good luck.

I ran carbon EC70 DH bars and they broke within one month and all I did was tip over. If you are trying to save weight the Protaper bars are only 20 grams heavier and a Thompson seatpost is only about 50-75 grams heavier depending on the length. I just hate the thought of carbon. Dont get me wrong, I have seen carbon bars take some abuse for many years and not break but then again I have seen carbon bars last only a few days... um, well, hours. Why take the chance?

 

[Kevin]

First off thanks for the concern.
I know about the carbon bars breaking but I got the new Monkeylite's that are supposed to be a lot stronger.
Its not only the weight but also the feel of the bars that I like. And the seatpost will only be sticking out of the seatpost for a couple of inches so I think/hope it will probably hold.
Other then that I guess Im just a little bit of a gear whore and a really stubborn one too so I thought Id just give it a try.
Allmost got all my parts together so Ill probably have it ready pretty soon.

To be continued...

 

[Kntr]

I too am a gear ho but man it scared me when my EC70s broke from just tipping over. I really couldn't tell much difference in the carbon verses the EA70. The carbon took a little vibration out but not worth the worries of it breaking.

Good luck and let us know how the new EC stuff works out. Weight should not be an issue when the Protapers are only 20 grams heavier. 20 grams could be a good pee or poo or even mud on your bike. As for the seatpost, if you are cutting it that short you probably wont have a problem.

Ya, I am concerned when a fellow monkey takes a chance at carbon. Bad things could happen for no reason except for wanting to run carbon. Anyway, good luck and post a pic when your done.

 

[Kevin]

O well Ill just see how things will work out.
Just waiting for my front hub now. I think Ill have it in a week or two so the bike will be ready a day later...