Taking a hacksaw to my handlebars!

pinchez

I've recently bought a Voodoo Bizango, while I'm generally happy with it the handlebars are ridiculously wide!!!

I was going to buy new bars but I thought why not cut 2" off either side which would make them roughly the same as my old Hardrock. Is there anything wrong with my idea? It would also save a few quid!

The Rookie

Be sure it's what you really want before cutting! The modern trend is for wider bars, and while it does take some getting used to you soon find the extra leverage in adverse conditions is beneficial, for example, when the rear is sliding.

Easy enough to just hacksaw the ends off, using an old clamp on grip clamp to make sure it's square can help.

jimothy78

As above, try before you cut. Move the controls and grips 2" inboard and go for a ride just to make sure - chances are you'll think twice once you've ridden it that way!

pinchez

I honestly can't imagine a situation where I might need the extra leverage of theses wide bars over my old standard ones so I think I'll go ahead and cut!

The wide bars do give me problems getting in and out of door ways and having 5 bikes already it's a struggle to fit it in the shed, it also feels uncomfortably wide on narrow canal paths. Needles to say I'm not a fan!!

benmac75

Using an old lock on grip as a guide is a neat suggestion. Another one would be to buy or borrow a plumber's pipe cutter. They're only a few quid and would make light work of a handlebar leaving a nice neat, perfectly straight cut.

Great for doing steerer tubes too!

Giraffoto

benmac75 wrote:

Using an old lock on grip as a guide is a neat suggestion. Another one would be to buy or borrow a plumber's pipe cutter. They're only a few quid and would make light work of a handlebar leaving a nice neat, perfectly straight cut.

Great for doing steerer tubes too!

You know, I've a vague memory of there being some disagreement about using a pipe cutter. Might even have been on here