Hello, I don't think I'm quite ready to start building bicycle frames yet. Need to do much more study on the subject before I make that move. However I would like to start fabricating something, you know... So how about handlebars? That seemed simple when I got the idea, but then I thought a bit longer about it. I discovered that handlebars have their own complexities, too. You can't just take a pipe and bend it, right?

Ideally, I would be making them cheap. Also, I do not care about weight, so steel would be the material of choice. Can I use 22mm conduit, like used in central heating systems? Guess not.

So, what materials and equipment do I really need? I have seen nice, industrial strength bending machines that I will never be able to buy, so I definitely need something lighter/easier. Any literature that I need to study? Do you know of any websites that deal with this subject?

I will not be making racing style drop handlebars. They are incompatible with my (present) riding style and aesthetic ideals. I do want to experiment with different angles and bends and finishes.