You might be wondering if cutting carbon fiber bike handlebars is worth the effort. Cutting carbon handlebars with a pipe cutter can be tricky, especially if you don’t have the right tools.
Can You Cut Carbon Handlebars With a Pipe Cutter?
You can cut carbon handlebars with a pipe cutter, but it is not recommended. Carbon handlebars are very brittle and can easily be damaged in the cutting process. Additionally, if you use a pipe cutter on carbon handlebars, they will flex significantly, which could compromise their structural integrity.
There are a few ways that you can cut down handlebars. If you’re working with aluminum handlebars, you will need a saw and bench-mounted vise. Carbon handlebars can be cut down with a sharp blade, but it is important to take care to avoid splintering the carbon fiber.
You’ll likely end up with jagged edges on your bar ends, which will need to be filed down if you want them to be smooth.
Can You Cut Carbon Fiber Tube with Pipe Cutter?
Yes, you can cut carbon fiber tubes with a pipe cutter. The pipe cutter is made of high-quality aluminum alloy and is sturdy and durable. There is a spare blade on the cutter top that makes the job easier. The head tube, handlebar, and post can all be easily cut with the pipe cutter.
Why Pipe Cutter isn’t the best tool for cutting bicycle handlebars
Pipe cutter is easily broken by stretching. This is because the pipe cutter uses a cutting wheel that score the circumference of the pipe.
As you turn the cutter around the pipe, the cutting wheel stretches out. The more you turn it, the thinner and weaker the cutting wheel gets until it eventually snaps.
The fibers can easily become fine dust during cut machining or mechanical finishing and then may be released into the surrounding atmosphere. This is because when you use a pipe cutter to cut through something, it creates a lot of friction.
This friction can cause the material to break down into small pieces, which can be breathed in and cause health problems.
Pipe cutter isn’t the best tool for cutting bicycle handlebars because it is easily broken by stretching and the fibers can easily become fine dust during cut machining or mechanical finishing and then may be released into the surrounding atmosphere.
How to Cut Carbon Fiber Handlebars
It is important to use the right tool for the job. The pipe cutter should not be used on carbon fiber handlebars. It will cause them to snap and break which is dangerous if it is used on a bike.
The correct tool for this job is the hacksaw, which should be used with caution and only by an experienced person.
Using Hacksaw Blade To Cut Carbon fiber handlebars
The standard way of cutting carbon bars and steerers is with a hacksaw with a high teeth density blade – most manufacturers recommend a blade with at least 28 teeth per 1 inch (28TPI).
The greater number of teeth ensures a smoother cut which is a necessity when cutting carbon as its layers can delaminate from one another very easily.
It’s also useful to have a saw guide that will ensure a straight cut. If you don’t have a saw guide, you can use two pipe clamps. They don’t work as well as a dedicated guide but are better than nothing. You shouldn’t overtighten them to avoid damaging the bars.
Periodically apply soap water on the cut to prevent the spread of carbon dust into the atmosphere.
Using Rotary Tool like Dremel to Cut Carbon Fiber Handlebars
If you’re looking to cut your own carbon fiber handlebars, you’ll need to use a rotary tool like a Dremel. It’s close to impossible to make a super straight cut because there’s nothing to guide the wheel, but with a little practice, you can get pretty close.
Just be careful not to breathe in the carbon dust – it’s bad news for your lungs. To protect yourself, it is recommended to wear a protective mask when relying on this method.
A standard abrasive metal cutting wheel works, but it will degrade quickly. If you are doing a lot of cutting you will be better off getting a diamond-coated cutting wheel that is used for cutting tile.
Using a friction-based cutter for cutting your carbon fiber bike tubes
When cutting carbon fiber there are a few things you need to take into consideration. The first is that you need to use a clamp, this will help to ensure that you get a clean cut and that the carbon fiber doesn’t fray.
The second thing to consider is the type of cutter you use, a standard metal cutting blade will work OK but it will burn out after about 3-4 feet of cutting.
The third thing to consider is the width of the handlebars. You don’t want to cut your handlebars down to get the right width perfect for you.
Can you cut MTB handlebars with a pipe cutter?
Yes, you can cut MTB handlebars with a pipe cutter. Pipe cutters are available for purchase online and in most hardware stores. They are versatile tools that can be used for a variety of purposes, including cutting through metal pipes.
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