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Old 06-20-05 | 10:06 AM
  #49  
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Originally Posted by phidauex
I found a set of FSA K-wing carbon bars in a dumpster yesterday. Unfortunately the end of one drop is crushed, which is presumably why they were tossed. However, the rest of the bars are just fine, so I'm thinking of cutting them into bullhorns, just to freak out anyone who sees them and is forced to wonder, "Why in gods holy name did he flip and chop a 180$ set of bars?!?"
Any tips for cutting carbon fiber?
peace,
sam
Respectfully, there's no way to be sure that "the rest of the bars are just fine". If they were crashed hard enough to crush the end of the drop, there was certainly a lot of force transmitted to the stem clamp area. Focused impacts can telegraph damage to areas that one might not expect. Inspect these bars carefully for tiny cracks and stress marks in all sections. Twist and pull like crazy whilst listening for splintering sounds. Flex and push, test with care before slapping onto the bike, before yanking and hammering up and down the steepest hill in town, be careful with these salvaged damaged bars.

Carbon Fiber is strong, until it's not, then it offers no strength at all, and does so in an unexpected fashion.

Like an old towel you rip into smaller pieces before washing the car, it's hard to tear, until a rip starts. Then it's hard to predict how smoothly or quickly the tear will manifest itself. What you'll be left with when the tear is complete cannot be known until it's finished. Wax on, Wax off.
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