Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum: cutting down aerobars

Bike Shops Coaches Fitters Race Calendar NEW Running Stores Stack & Reach Training Log Triathlon Clubs
		MAIN INDEX	RULES & LEGEND	LOG IN

Search for (options)

Newsletter Signup

Slowtwitch Forums: Triathlon Forum:
cutting down aerobars

ironcouple

Mar 24, 04 4:05

Post #1 of 8 (290 views)

cutting down aerobars	Can't Post

specifically, the syntace c2's and bullhorn base bars. i've seen it done many times, but is this safe? aside of obviously voiding any warranties, does it weaken the bars where the brakes/ shifters plug in (i.e. is the aluminum thinner there than at the ends made by the factory)?

anyone know?
____________________________________________________________
"I'm happy when life's good,
and when it's bad I cry.
I've got values but I don't know how or why."
- The Who

gleveq

Mar 24, 04 4:37

Post #2 of 8 (277 views)

Re: cutting down aerobars [sydnrusty] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Don't know all the techy stuff, but my bike coach/fitter didn't hesitate a minute before taking a hacksaw to my CarbonStrykes and lopping off a good few inches.

FWIW, that's when I discovered they weren't carbon anyways ;-). Duh.

I can't imagine there is a difference in thickness or strength at various points on the bars. Go for it!

G

It's a little like wrestling a gorilla.........you don't stop when you're tired.........you stop when the gorilla is tired.

www.gorillamultisport.com

Wants2rideFast

Mar 24, 04 5:58

Post #3 of 8 (239 views)

Re: cutting down aerobars [sydnrusty] [In reply to]	Can't Post

sydnrusty,

This will not weaken your bars unless you do an awful job of cutting, or in the case of composites, crack the bar. In fact, by shortening the lever, a physics term, one is enabling more force to be applied before failure.

gleveq is correct, go for it.

Ben Cline

Better to aspire to Greatness and fail, than to not challenge one's self at all, and succeed.

cerveloguy

Mar 24, 04 6:05

Post #4 of 8 (228 views)

Re: cutting down aerobars [sydnrusty] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Here's Slowman's take on this

http://www.slowtwitch.com/...echctr/makeover.html

Kyle Handley

Mar 24, 04 7:11

Post #5 of 8 (187 views)

Re: cutting down aerobars [sydnrusty] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Unless you have a really nice hacksaw and mitre block, get a tubing cutter from the hardware store and use that to cut the tubes. They work pretty well and cost anywhere from $20-$75 depending on quality. It's in Dan's article. My C2's are hacked off and it works great. Do it.
Kyle Handley

QuintanaRooster

Mar 24, 04 7:17

Post #6 of 8 (181 views)

Re: cutting down aerobars [sydnrusty] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I had no problem shortening the ends of my Syntace SLs. It did not interfere with the structural integrity of the bars nor with being able to plug in the bar end shifters.

Sponsored by: Team Ti and The Orthopedic Trauma Unit at Tampa General Hospital.

BMAN

Mar 24, 04 7:47

Post #7 of 8 (160 views)

Re: cutting down aerobars [QuintanaRooster] [In reply to]	Can't Post

Hey guys. I am also in the process of cutting down the ends of my C2's. I will get the guys in the machine shop to cut them down so they are done right. My question to you is what about adding in some slots for running my cables internally. My C2's are older and do not have slots for running the cables internally. I can get it done correctly and with the right machines but do you think that will decrease the strength of the bars.

Aero & Light is Right

SLC 2.0

LarryM96815

Mar 24, 04 8:49

Post #8 of 8 (134 views)

Re: cutting down aerobars [sydnrusty] [In reply to]	Can't Post

I have three bikes with an assortment of Syntace and Profile aero and bull horn bars (aluminum now). I took a tuibng cutter to every one of them when I installed them. So far no problems. My bullhorns are straight (no upturn) and the aero bars only long enough for a hand hold.

Aloha,

Larry