Shortening flat bars

[Dadam]

I’m tempted to take a hacksaw to the bars on my hybrid. They’re those really wide bars from MTBs, about 72cm I think. Great for control on MTBs but this bike goes on nothing gnarlier than a towpath. It would make it easier to get through annoying A gates, a bit less annoying to chain up at work and possibly feel a bit sportier. Also maybe a bit comfier on a long ride.

So what do I need to consider?

Take off grips, shifters and brake levers, or loosen and slide toward the middle.
Measure (twice), hacksaw or dremel, then a file to tidy up edges.
Replace levers and shifters then grips and done?

 

[Tenkaykev]

I’m tempted to take a hacksaw to the bars on my hybrid. They’re those really wide bars from MTBs, about 72cm I think. Great for control on MTBs but this bike goes on nothing gnarlier than a towpath. It would make it easier to get through annoying A gates, a bit less annoying to chain up at work and possibly feel a bit sportier. Also maybe a bit comfier on a long ride.

So what do I need to consider?

Take off grips, shifters and brake levers, or loosen and slide toward the middle.
Measure (twice), hacksaw or dremel, then a file to tidy up edges.
Replace levers and shifters then grips and done?

If the bars are ally then a plumbers slice will do the job. This is £6.50

 

[Dadam]

Yes they’re ally

 

[ianrauk]

If the bars are ally then a plumbers slice will do the job. This is £6.50
View attachment 705619

Exactly what I bought and used on a pair of flat bars recently. Worked well.

 

[slowmotion]

If you want to use a pipe slice, make really sure that the tube you're cutting is dead straight. If it isn't, a whole world of grief awaits you.

 

[Mo1959]

I’ve done a couple of my bikes…hybrid and mountain bike as I found them far too wide. I just used a hacksaw and cut as straight as possible, but once the grips are back on you don’t see the ends anyway.

 

[steveindenmark]

I used a hacksaw on mine with no problem at all. Its a 2 minute job.

 

[MichaelW2]

Tape around the bar to get a straight edge.
I did this with no problem. Measure 3 x , cut once. File edges and finish with emery cloth.
If you have bars with bends ( like my On One Mary) make sure to leave enough flat for grips.

 

[Venod]

Move the grips inwards before you cut, find the position you want, make sure the same amount of bar sticks out both sides, scribe round the bar next to the grips, then cut, I just use a hacksaw but the tube cutter is a good call.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

I have thought about this - basically my normal riding positions lave about 2 inches outside my hands so I reckon an inch of each side would do no harm

does reduce bar real estate though and on an ebike the extra space needed for the controller has to be taken into account (especially as I have 3 different lights!!)

 

[Jody]

Hacksaw or Dremel. Either work well

 

[chris667]

Yes no need for new tools,

I might not try doing this on real weiqht weenie bars which are butted, but these don't sound like that kind.

 

[chris667]

Alternatively, have you thought about barends? I really like a barend. Worth a try before you cut.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

If you have bar end mirrors then the extra length means the mirror has a better view.
worth bearing in mind

 

[Venod]

If you have bar end mirrors then the extra length means the mirror has a better view.
worth bearing in mind

Is this correct ? surely you adjust the mirror to give the optimum view