Cutting Carbon

[vintagefisher]

I have a truvativ Noir race carbon bar that is 680mm width...and that is too wide for me. the bars have markings of 1/4 inch and 1/2 inch from either side. Truvativ states that you can cut the bars but i was wondering if i be compromising the the structural integrity of the bar by going 3/4 or an inch off on either side. I am not putting on any lock on grips and i only use one brake lever that is a dual pull lever. I am going to masking tape and 32t per inch hack saw it (truvativ recomends 20+) and sand it down after.

[c0nsumer]

Some bars have extra thick ends in the cut region. You may want to check if these do, and see if the area where you are cutting is inside of that.

[xcrdr]

Wear a mask and make sure to not inhale the dust. Also wear latex gloves. Universal precautions are in order here.

[Mack]

Wear a mask and make sure to not inhale the dust. Also wear latex gloves. Universal precautions are in order here.

Oh my god! I didn't now what!

[jajones]

Wear a mask and make sure to not inhale the dust. Also wear latex gloves. Universal precautions are in order here.

Oh my god! I didn't now what!

You may have inhaled nano particles that can contribute to lung disfunction. Don't worry though, if you did it in your basement in winter, you probably were already heading down the road to lung cancer due to high radon levels.

[b_b]

Make sure you'll have enough room left for grips and controls...

[nailgunn]

I run 600mm width on my bars.
Back in the 90's I had someone tell the a rule for bar cutting width. Cut to the same width of your shoulders i.e Arms extend straight out meausre outside to outside of hands .. it gives a good visual referance for what you can squeeze through.

[Sherpaboy]

used electrical tape as well at the cut location. cut through the tape to avoid splintering the carbon in any way.

[vintagefisher]

i put about 7 layers of 2" wide masking tape and an old taken apart break lever tightened down over it to give me an edge. took an inch off one side and need a new blade since this one was pretty much toast now. Worked swell and looks good. Going to the hardware store after work to pick up another 32t blade and some fine sandpaper and i will soon have a 620mm+ bar. Going to finish the other end tonight.

[sisu]

hmmmmmm. Love me the smell of fresh cut carbon in the morning.

[vintagefisher]

i think i will save the dust and release it in key points of a race. Kinda like an oil slick type thing but it ruins competitors lungs....or is that a bad idea?