Chopping handlebars?

Johnny Napalm

Hi.

I'm about to invest in a 'Marin Rocky Ridge', but I feel that the '28in wide FSA Maximus Bars' will be too wide for me. I'm only 5' 6", so I figure that they may be too wide for such a shortarse.

Before I decide to have them chopped, I figure that I'd better take the bike for a spin on the trails/terrain I regularly use, which should help me decide if they are comfotable or not.

What I want to know is, willl they have designated markers on the bar indicating where to cut for standard lengths etc., or not?

Also, I don't have access to a vice, so I'd probably take them back to my LBS to chop them for me, but once I've taken the bike, they'll most likely charge me upon my return. Whereas I don't think the bike shop would charge me if I asked them to chop them before I actually buy the bike...but then I don't get the chance to test them on the trails beforehand.

I've read about pipe-cutters, but am I correct in thinking that they wouldn't be up to the job? I suppose I could take them to work and have them chopped there.

Cheers

nicklouse

some pipe cutters will be up to the job.

But what i would be doing is talking to the shop, as it seems that you are buying the bars and having them fitted by the shop they may very well trim them fir free,

Johnny Napalm

Thanks, Nicklouse.

I'll ask them to chop them down to a desired length before I collect it.

stumpyjon

Always worth asking, I've just bought a frame from CRC but then bought all the other bits from my LBS. While I was buying they faced the bottom bracket, installed the headset cups & crown race and put in the star washer for nought (which is why I bought all the bits from them rather than save a bit buying from CRC, and it paid off this morning because I had had the wrong front mech and they swapped it no quibble, it would have been a pain sending back to CRC).

ride_whenever

How much do you know what you'll want to run width wise? Might be an idea to do it yourself, move everything inbound until you get to a comfy place, lockons are great for this. Lockons also make a great cutting guide, then move them out a little.

Johnny Napalm

I know what you mean, Stumpy...it's a lot more convenient if you can use your LBS.

How much do you know what you'll want to run width wise? Might be an idea to do it yourself, move everything inbound until you get to a comfy place, lockons are great for this. Lockons also make a great cutting guide, then move them out a little

.

Bloody good idea, Ride! I'll get meself some pipe-cutters too.

BigStu2

Johnny N, Dont use a vice you'll do more harm than good, cut them fitted to the bike, a hacksaw is the quickest followed up with some filing and wet and dry paper up the tube only if you have the tools of course. Start with 0.5 to 1 cm increments or .....ride to your LBS and they'll do it in under 10 minutes.
I'm also buying a rocky ridge the same size as yours and I'd say with the 70 mm stem and short top tube they should be about right.
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Johnny Napalm

After a couple of rides, I found the 711mm FSA's too uncomfortable for me. Being such a shortarse, and having such wide bars, hindered rather than helped (& I need all the help I can get when it comes to riding :oops: ).

I used a pipe-cutter yesterday and trimmed them down to 675mm and saw a vast improvement this morning in Wharncliffe.

Thanks to you all for all the help and advice.

By the way, did you get the 'Marin', Stu?

BigStu2

It comes tomorrow, Tomorrow after a 5 week wait, Ill have to blow off my roady buddies for a while

BigStu2

I've just gone back and opened your photo's, Its the 1st small sized frame I've seen, all the tests have been on large and med. and I'm impressed doesn't look too squat at all.
The white pedals and grips look a treat.
8)

Johnny Napalm

Glad to hear you'll be finally getting it tomorrow. That's a long wait, mate! My friend thought it actually looked big for a 'small' frame. It's definitely not too squat. I suppose any bike would look big at the side of me though.

I've put my old gel saddle on - the 'Marin' frame doesn't seem as forgiving as the 'CB' frame...my back was taking a bit of hammer (old git! :oops: ).

I got the grips (Lizard Skins 'Peaty' lock-ons) yesterday, and I bought the pedals when I got the bike. It's difficult keeping the paint on those pedals though. The pics were from this morning, I went out for a few hours and now I'm starting to get used to the bike. After five years of riding the 'Claud Butler', I'm just getting used to the feel of a different bike.

I hope you get your bike tomorrow and enjoy it, Stu. You'll have to post some pics in between putting the bike through its paces.