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Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
cutting profile carbon base bar

proyer

Nov 17, 09 8:52

Post #1 of 15 (438 views)

cutting profile carbon base bar	Can't Post

I recently bought a Profile carbon base bar, but I would like to cut the upturn portion on the hand/brake lever area. Any worries with doing that? will the brake lever still fit and be secure? Any hints or suggestions?
thanks!

nickwhite

Nov 17, 09 13:43

Post #2 of 15 (403 views)

Re: cutting profile carbon base bar [proyer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Use a Skill Saw (circular saw) or Sawzaw (reciprocating saw). Don't cut your fingers off. Don't wear a mask, and be sure to inhale lots of the glorious carbon smoke. You have not cut off enough base bar until the brake levers are parallel to the bar like a mountain bike.

king-tony

Nov 17, 09 17:21

Post #3 of 15 (384 views)

Re: cutting profile carbon base bar [proyer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Not terribly different than cutting a carbon steerer tube. I know several people who have done this. Just use a fine tooth hacksaw blade and make sure the bar is secure. This is one of the reasons I do not own profile bars. I just don't get the logic in the upturned ends. I would think it would be more costly to produce as well.

YTZ

Nov 17, 09 18:46

Post #4 of 15 (367 views)

Re: cutting profile carbon base bar [king-tony] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Don't, the brakes will not fit...I tried once, and then regretted it.
www.yourtrainingzone.com

proyer

Nov 18, 09 5:54

Post #5 of 15 (338 views)

Re: cutting profile carbon base bar [YTZ] [In reply to]	Can't Post

how far back did you cut them?

I was looking last night and even if I just keep a little rise the internal diameter seems to be the same, the brakes also came with adaptors for a larger size diameter, plus there is always teflon tape to build up the brake clamp.

ATC

Nov 18, 09 5:58

Post #6 of 15 (335 views)

Re: cutting profile carbon base bar [proyer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

The carbon thickens further into the bar which is why the brakes dont fit. You will need to drimmel out the bars also to make it work. I am sure you dont need all that extra carbon anyways. :)

-Adam

http://www.austintricyclist.com
http://www.atctrishop.com - 10 % OFF Discount Code for Online Sales - twitch

http://www.framesdirect.com/sunglasses/

proyer

Nov 18, 09 6:02

Post #7 of 15 (332 views)

Re: cutting profile carbon base bar [ATC] [In reply to]	Can't Post

couldnt I just take off some of the brake internal clamp instead of the carbon?

I didnt realize the upturn was as dramatic as it was, oh well...they are lighter than my aluminum VT!

ATC

Nov 18, 09 6:09

Post #8 of 15 (328 views)

Re: cutting profile carbon base bar [proyer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

What brake levers are you going to use?

http://www.austintricyclist.com
http://www.atctrishop.com - 10 % OFF Discount Code for Online Sales - twitch

http://www.framesdirect.com/sunglasses/

proyer

Nov 18, 09 6:14

Post #9 of 15 (324 views)

Re: cutting profile carbon base bar [ATC] [In reply to]	Can't Post

the profile carbon ones...

ATC

Nov 18, 09 6:18

Post #10 of 15 (320 views)

Re: cutting profile carbon base bar [proyer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

its going to be a lot of drimmelin' and sandin' for it to possibly work.

http://www.austintricyclist.com
http://www.atctrishop.com - 10 % OFF Discount Code for Online Sales - twitch

http://www.framesdirect.com/sunglasses/

proyer

Nov 18, 09 7:11

Post #11 of 15 (307 views)

Re: cutting profile carbon base bar [ATC] [In reply to]	Can't Post

thanks for the heads up...I may just grind the clamp part?
have you done the carbon dremmeling on the carbon bars? that seems more prone to error and failure of the bar?

YTZ

Dec 12, 09 10:30

Post #12 of 15 (236 views)

Re: cutting profile carbon base bar [proyer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

did you cut them?
www.yourtrainingzone.com

ships

Dec 12, 09 13:20

Post #13 of 15 (210 views)

Re: cutting profile carbon base bar [proyer] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I did the same thing.....worked great, no problems with the brakes!!

proyer

Dec 15, 09 13:35

Post #14 of 15 (152 views)

Re: cutting profile carbon base bar [ships] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I didnt cut them as I felt it really wasnt going to make that much difference...lets be honest I am 50, I bike about 23 mph avg so having the bar ends turned up might cost me what, 3 seconds? I need to work on my motor more than cutting a few things a few inches here or there.

ships

Dec 15, 09 17:16

Post #15 of 15 (126 views)

Re: cutting profile carbon base bar [YTZ] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Yes, I cut mine. I find them more comfortable without them being turned up on the ends.