Anyone trim down a drop bar?
10-30-21, 03:02 PM
#1
Advanced Slacker
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 6,210
Bikes: Soma Fog Cutter, Surly Wednesday, Canfielld Tilt
Mentioned: 26 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2762 Post(s)
Liked 2,537 Times
in
1,433 Posts
Anyone trim down a drop bar?
I’ve been running a set of Cowbells for a few years, and I notice that I never use last inch or so of the bar. I have also wished the bar end mirror was not so far back.
So as I am changing my bar tape, I decided to lop off the last inch off either end. I figure this will make the mirror easier to use, and also give a little more wiggle room when loading bikes on my 1UP trays which are a little close together.
Anyone else ever do this?
So as I am changing my bar tape, I decided to lop off the last inch off either end. I figure this will make the mirror easier to use, and also give a little more wiggle room when loading bikes on my 1UP trays which are a little close together.
Anyone else ever do this?
10-31-21, 06:07 AM
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: SE Wisconsin
Posts: 1,851
Bikes: Lemond '01 Maillot Jaune, Lemond '02 Victoire, Lemond '03 Poprad, Lemond '03 Wayzata DB conv(Poprad), '79 AcerMex Windsor Carrera Professional(pur new), '88 GT Tequesta(pur new), '01 Bianchi Grizzly, 1993 Trek 970 DB conv, Trek 8900 DB conv
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 759 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 810 Times
in
471 Posts
I'm building a bike now after a frame repaint and have mounted a Zipp 70 xplr bar. If you go to whatbars.com the overlay with the cowbell shows it to be about what you have now. So..no I haven't cut a set of bars, but there are bars available that are using a design much like you have now.
10-31-21, 06:16 AM
#3
Randomhead
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Happy Valley, Pennsylvania
Posts: 24,398
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4 Post(s)
Liked 3,698 Times
in
2,518 Posts
There is nothing wrong with cutting off the ends of your handlebars.
10-31-21, 06:46 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Kips Bay, NY
Posts: 2,212
Bikes: Ritchey Swiss Cross | Teesdale Kona Hot | Haro Extreme | Specialized Stumpjumper Comp | Cannondale F1000 | Shogun 1000 | Cannondale M500 | Norco Charger | Marin Muirwoods 29er | Shogun Kaze | Breezer Lightning
Mentioned: 8 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 576 Post(s)
Liked 1,002 Times
in
488 Posts
I've seen bars trimmed down right after the shifter; no drops at all.
10-31-21, 07:31 AM
#5
WGB
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Niagara Region
Posts: 2,917
Bikes: Panasonic PT-4500
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1800 Post(s)
Liked 2,334 Times
in
1,378 Posts
I have several sets of barcons and planned my next build would have set mounted. Local framebuilder told me that they add an extra length (I think he said 2 inches) to the length of the bars and that the barcons would then catch my knees if left uncut and he recommended I trim my bars back to allow for that extra length.
Likes For WGB:
10-31-21, 07:34 AM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4,083
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2333 Post(s)
Liked 2,097 Times
in
1,314 Posts
I trimmed an inch off a set of Cinelli 66-42 bars back in the day, I have no idea how my knees would hit the bars when jumping for a sprint. 40 years later, the bars haven't self destructed.
10-31-21, 08:42 PM
#7
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2019
Location: South Shore of Long Island
Posts: 2,799
Bikes: 2010 Carrera Volans, 2015 C-Dale Trail 2sl, 2017 Raleigh Rush Hour, 2017 Blue Proseccio, 1992 Giant Perigee, 80s Gitane Rallye Tandem
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1088 Post(s)
Liked 1,025 Times
in
723 Posts
I've done it on my kid's bike, wanted a 36cm bar but they came in pretty far at the bottom for a small 24" wheeled frame. Just used a pipe cutter just like with a mtb, unless carbon, in which case I use a high speed, high tooth count bandsaw.
11-01-21, 11:01 AM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Michigan
Posts: 4,863
Bikes: too many of all kinds
Mentioned: 35 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1147 Post(s)
Liked 415 Times
in
335 Posts
Yeah, spend a few $$$ and get a pipe cutter. I've done it with a hack saw, but its not a very clean cut. ;-)
Nothing wrong with cutting down aluminum handlebars
Nothing wrong with cutting down aluminum handlebars
