Sizing & Cutting Handlebars | Tech Tuesday #108
Sizing & Cutting Handlebars | Tech Tuesday #108
Are you having second thoughts about your super-wide flat bars? Maybe we can help. Calvin and Truman look at a few ways to determine ideal bar width, and go through the cutting process on aluminum and carbon handlebars.
Questions or comments? Leave them below!
Get a more in-depth look at flat bar brake lever mounting & positioning ▶︎
➤ Tools & materials used:
• RR-12 Tape Measure – https://www.parktool.com/product/tape-measure-rr-12
• HBH-2 Handlebar Holder – https://www.parktool.com/product/handlebar-holder-hbh-2
• AWS-1 3-Way Hex Wrench – https://www.parktool.com/product/3-way-hex-wrench-aws-1
• SAW-1 Hacksaw – https://www.parktool.com/product/hacksaw-saw-1
• SG-7.2 Oversized Adjustable Saw Guide – https://www.parktool.com/product/oversized-adjustable-saw-guide-sg-7-2
• DC-1 Digital Caliper – https://www.parktool.com/product/digital-caliper-dc-1
• CSB-1 Carbon Cutting Saw Blade – https://www.parktool.com/product/carbon-saw-blade-csb-1
➤ Fix It:
Did you know that Park Tool is the #1 resource for bicycle repair education?
• Visit our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/parktool
• Visit the Repair Help section of Parktool.com: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/
• Check out The Big Blue Book of Bicycle Repair: http://www.parktool.com/product/big-blue-book-of-bicycle-repair-3rd-edition-bbb-3
➤ About Park Tool:
Since our founding in 1963, Park Tool has been the leading name in bicycle tools. Our YouTube channel is an extension of our mission to be the ultimate resource for mechanics and riders of all skill levels. Here you will find comprehensive repair help tutorials for a wide range of components and processes, as well as troubleshooting guides, tips and tricks, and information on the latest Park Tool products.
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That’s a gorgeous bike. Currently near impossible to find with the bike shortage.
Calvin and Truman, you two are awesome! Thank you so much for this video!
Shifters on the down tube, and a coaster brake.
Very comprehensive video! Great job! You guys must be instructors because you guys seem like experts.
"Brake handles at 45°"….. Hmmm I would suggest watching this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YHDpunS4yQ&feature=share
How about an engineer’s V clamp as a guide..
What is the best way of removing and reinstalling the grips?
I hate wide bar cyclist on the streets xD
wideness must be a slightly bigger than shoulder wideness
It might sound weird but I like my shift and brake levers vertical
How about too small
I like my brakes and shifters positioned like Truman described. I guess my hands are kinda wide-ish, and the webbing of my hand will bands into the shifter if it isn’t positioned a little more onboard than his Calvin describes.
Jason
Park Tool makes machetes?
Handlebar baby!
The metal sawing action did not look good. Truman was standing almost in front of the side of bar. This causes him to push the saw in an angle to the bar. Also he should hold on to the bar while sawing. Now when Calvin did the holding, there was no harmony because Calvins reactions do not match up perfectly with Trumans saw movemetns. If Truman would have hold on by himself he would have made the countermovement perfectly. Also using cutting oil would prolong the life of the blade.
The carbon sawing on the other hand looked very good.
Othwise nice video! Park tool has such great content!
Iike to use chain saw
funny video😍😍😍
Yes.. My bars are two wide
I did pretty much what you did before I saw this video. I wrapped electrical tape on the bar, (Alum),
(making sure my shift and brake levers fit comfortably), and cut along the tape freehand.
I then took the cutoff and used it for a measure, applied the tape to the other end of the bar,
and cut at the end of the electr. tape, as straight as I could. Deburred it. Worked out fine.
A millimeter or two makes no diff. when the grips or tape are back on. Good luck.
I like my shifters and brakes where they are easy to reach by just extending my fingers but don’t bother me when I’m just holding onto the handlebars.
Like for the new handlebar babies
That baby bar is barely enough for an end cap ps I like my bars and stuff stock
The push up position method works for me guys as i have quite long reach..nice one guys
I need one of them saw guides, cut bars and steer tube down yesterday, not a straight cut, I ride my bars at around 550 to 600 (track bike)
I my school uear 7 i had to cut a duck puppet out of wood the other people in my class aswell someone on my table didnt have a good blade half of it had snapped and stayed in the wood the other half was then inside of me and i had spent 4 days in a hospital
I think Calvin should star in the next Machete movie alongside Danny Trejo.
These videos are so good. The way they teach is awesome!
7:30 I used gasoline
I was on the 780mm bandwagon for a while, but was getting tired of having to turn my wheel sideways to get into doorways since i store my bike inside. I went to 760mm and although it’s only 40mm shorter they feel better and it’s a little easier to get into doorways.
Zipcut!
You cutted 21 millimetres. You forgot the width of the blade.
Corney but very informative. Park is my go-to DIY bike spot. Thanks
My method is riding the bike I have because I can’t afford to be picky.
Dude with the stash reminds me of the random guy at the pub that really wants to talk, but you dont want to.
This episode should be on Comedy Central.
Why is carbon powder not good
Love all these videos – especially to help us get through the pandemic. All the corny comments and stunts are great too.
Calvin’s shoe choice was 100% predictable
Your arm position in your push ups
Me at the end of the video: I don’t even want shorter handlebars, why did I watch this?
Most of his knowledge and authority comes from his majestic mustache.
I realized after I started to develop pain in my shoulders that my bars at 29" were way too wide for me. So I determined the optimal width using the "zen" method: I straddled my bike, closed my eyes, held my arms comfortably in front of me, and then let my hands drop naturally onto the bars, which landed them about two inches from the end on each side, so I cut off 1.5 inches using a pipe cutter, and even after just a few minutes of test riding, I could already feel my shoulders relaxing. In theory, I’m sacrificing stability, but I think my shoulders will be happier in the long run.
I usually shape the sandpaper/emery cloth into small cones. One with the grit inside and one outside. Then I use these to debur the inside and outside diameter by turning it around the sharp edges. I get better roundness this way.
I found a video a while ago, recommended multiplying your height in cm by 4.40 to give bar length in mm as your maximum. Go less if you like but not more. To wide will move the work from the muscle groups in shoulders and back up to just the shoulders and cause damage. Iv found this to be perfect for me. Im 165cm x 4.4 = 726mm bars. I run 720mm comfortably.
Park Tool
The Gold Standard
Awesome instruction! Thank you!
Treat your bike the way you wanna be treated !! Ha ha
I try not to subscribe to commercial accounts but Park Tool has the most respectful advertisements to it’s viewership. Honest and ethical.
You guys’ videos are the best.