I went on a two hour bike ride today followed by a mile jog. I felt pretty good. Still a long way to go though. It felt good to get outside in the sun and get the blood pumping. So good that when I got back I decided to play bike mechanic and cut up my handlebars. On the Poprad whenever I stand to go faster I end up hitting my knees on the ends of the drops. I hardly ever use that hand position. So I cut off the bar tape, gel pads and 1.75 inches of aluminum. I made a valiant attempt to rewrap the bars afterwards, but I'll need to get one of the nice guys at the ski and bike shop to do a proper wrap job. As well as add a second layer of bar tape. Here are a few pictures of my hack job. No pun intended : )
Pre-hacked bars. I think that is blood from my knee on the bar end plug.
Bars minus tape and gel pads.
I went to the hardware store and got this sweet pipe cutter for the low price of $6.95
The cutter worked great. I cleaned up the rough edges with some emery cloth.
One of these drops is not like the other.
All done. I think they turned out pretty good. I'll have to test ride them tomorrow.
11 comments:
Dave,
I think I can speak for the shop by saying "Nice work".
thats crazy talk! i've never heard of anyone hitting their knees on the ends of the drops.
why didn't you just rotate the bars higher and move the hoods lower?
they look good cut though.
Brooks, I'm not that smart or handy. It seemed easier to just cut em up. Plus I got to buy a new tool :)
I think you may have stumbled across why your knees hurt when you ride.
Nice job Vino!
I bet you shaved at least 50 grams off your Poprad too. ;)
Quite the handyman, Dave. All from your "closet" bike shop, I bet. Cool use of the pipe cutter... it'll be a sad day when you actually have to use it for plumbing. I've said it before; plumbing is my Eleanor.
Yes it was done in my closet bikeshop. Fortunately Jen hasn't bought enough clothes to start using that one yet :)
Dave,
Upon reviewing your pictures, I saw a problem. You will have to get a new set of carbon fiber handlebars to correct it, probably a carbon fiber stem, too. Break the news gently to Jen, and I am sure it will be okay :)..
You should look into some real dirt drops. WTB or On-One make them, shallower drop and the drops flare away from the rider. Maybe that description does not help. But I think they would be perfect for the miles you intend to put on the Pop.
Good call by Greg. Just had the copy of the Midge bars in the shop last week. Dave would be racing Dave to see who gets to ride like Jackie Phelan first.
Dave-
Haven't got the quilt yet. My mom has been very busy so she hasn't had time to get it together...
Don't have any experience with their tarps. kinna a fan of the regular square more ways to set it up
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