Cutting carbon handlebars

[thebbforever]

Carbon is a different beast than aluminum. Is a hacksaw acceptable?

Any tips or suggestions is appreciated. Thanks.

 

[JohneeOxford]

Wrap bars in either masking tape or electrical tape, use a 32 tooth hack saw blade (used ones work good) ....slowly make the cut, finish cut ends with Cyanoacrylic glue (super glue) * NO BAR ENDS!*

...... so I've heard

 

[BiknBen]

Carbon is a different beast than aluminum. Is a hacksaw acceptable?

Any tips or suggestions is appreciated. Thanks.

See the manufacturer's web site. Some recommend covering the cut area with tape before the cut. That will keep the carbon weave from fraying.

Other than that, use an actual cutting guide tool by Park or other tool company.

 

[JohneeOxford]

Is that the steerer tube cutting guide, or does Park make a specific one for bars?

 

[BiknBen]

Is that the steerer tube cutting guide, or does Park make a specific one for bars?

I cut mine with the Performance Bike version of this tool.
http://www.parktool.com/product/threadless-saw-guide

These will hold the bar and guide the blade through a straight cut. There are some home-brew methods but using the proper tool is what I recommend.

My tool related advice, "When you need a tool, buy the tool. The next time you need it, it will be there."

 

[JohneeOxford]

Right on! Wasn't sure about the guide being used to
cut bars. Good advice on buying tools! Although, no matter how many tools I've bought, I'm always in need of "that tool". ...

 

[Jeremy]

just use a hack saw.

Measure once, cut twice

 

[Norm]

just use a hack saw.

Measure once, cut twice

+1

Worst case, use a sledge hammer and the sidewalk.

 

[Red Mosquito]

Would a standard pipe cutter be acceptable for carbon, provided you didn't tighten it too much?

 

[mwlikesbikes]

I cant see good things happening with a tubing cutter. I remember once years ago trying to cut an aluminum steerer with one. It worked (slowly) but it is easier with a hacksaw.

 

[Rocks & Water]

Wet cut

I'm pretty lucky in this area as I'm a glassblower by trade and have a good pick of wet saws at work. I clean the diamond blade before the cut and use lots of water and go SLOW.

 

[ekuhn]

+1

Worst case, use a sledge hammer and the sidewalk.

hahaha.

I cut it 3 times and its still too short!

 

[Spylab]

DO NOT use a pipe cutter to cut anything on your bicycle, be it handlebars, seatpost or steertube. You might think the cut is super clean, but in reality it leaves a ring of microscopic chips along the break-edge, one of which is bound to grow and compromise strength over time.

As others have said, your best bet:

1. Wrap the general cut area with masking tape.
2. Mark your cut line.
3. Use a Park Tool or similar threadless cutting guide and tighten it on your mark.
4. Use a hacksaw and a 32 tpi or finer blade, fresh and new. The finer the better.
5. Wear a respirator or mask. Carbon dust is nothing you want in your lungs.
6. Saw that beyotch!
7. Standard bar ends will compromise the strength of the end of the handlebar. There are special bar ends that use a crazy metal slug that expands via an allen key at the end (can't remember who makes them, but they are also used in steertubes instead of star nuts).