TECH Q&A
THE FIRST CUT
Any tips for cutting down a carbon fibre handlebar? I’m a little scared!
Shaun Reeder, via email
It’s good to be a little cautious when cutting anything down, and in particular carbon – mess it up and that’s a pretty expensive mistake. But don’t fear, with a methodical approach and the correct tools, it’s not as daunting a prospect as it may at first seem.
The tools for the job are a hacksaw, a cutting guide, some emery cloth or sandpaper and a tape measure. Ideally, you want a carbon-specific saw blade. However, you should be able to get away with using a standard blade with a high teeth-per-inch count – anywhere between 24 and 32TPI should be sufficient. A good blade will ensure you get a clean cut, and with carbon this is essential, so that you
