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Mandrel-bending handle bars
I'm looking for an elegant solution to what is probably an odd problem with
my bicycle. I'm in Houston, and the bike is a hybrid. Here's the deal -- I was born without a left hand. I have my wrist, but the umbilical cord had wrapped around, just outside my wrist, so that part got cut off from blood flow... Anyway, lately I'm doing the old guy thing & riding for exercise. Now that I'm putting more miles on, the difference in my reach --about 1.5 to 2 inches-- is being felt in my back. I need to make up this difference, so that my shoulders are squared back up. But I don't want a clunky solution of using tape or a riser block.... So far, I've just mis-aligned (cocked) the bars to favor the left side. That's certainly simple & elegant, but is looks & feels wrong -- two guys have even offered to show me how to properly align the handle bars to the front wheel. Sigh. So, where might I go in Houston to get someone to work with me on mandrel-bending the handlebar, which I figure would be easier & neater than cutting & TIG'ing it. I'm assuming the bars is aluminum -- the bike is a Motobecane hybrid, purchased about a lear ago. Many Thanks, --M Powell (I'm cross posting this to Rec.crafts.metalworking) |
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#2
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Mandrel-bending handle bars
This ain't anywhere as easy as you seem to think it is. Welding very light
aluminum tubing is completely out of the question. As for mandrel bending - you probably can't use a present bar because it's been relieved. You can probably get some really light steel tubing and have it bent to your specifications without too much trouble and with some paint it would look good. There must be a frame builder in Houston that could help you with the problem. Good luck. tom "M Powell" wrote in message ink.net... I'm looking for an elegant solution to what is probably an odd problem with my bicycle. I'm in Houston, and the bike is a hybrid. Here's the deal -- I was born without a left hand. I have my wrist, but the umbilical cord had wrapped around, just outside my wrist, so that part got cut off from blood flow... Anyway, lately I'm doing the old guy thing & riding for exercise. Now that I'm putting more miles on, the difference in my reach --about 1.5 to 2 inches-- is being felt in my back. I need to make up this difference, so that my shoulders are squared back up. But I don't want a clunky solution of using tape or a riser block.... So far, I've just mis-aligned (cocked) the bars to favor the left side. That's certainly simple & elegant, but is looks & feels wrong -- two guys have even offered to show me how to properly align the handle bars to the front wheel. Sigh. So, where might I go in Houston to get someone to work with me on mandrel-bending the handlebar, which I figure would be easier & neater than cutting & TIG'ing it. I'm assuming the bars is aluminum -- the bike is a Motobecane hybrid, purchased about a lear ago. Many Thanks, --M Powell (I'm cross posting this to Rec.crafts.metalworking) |
#3
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Mandrel-bending handle bars
On Fri, 30 Jan 2004 15:13:01 GMT, "M Powell"
wrote: So, where might I go in Houston to get someone to work with me on mandrel-bending the handlebar, which I figure would be easier & neater than cutting & TIG'ing it. I'm assuming the bars is aluminum -- the bike is a Motobecane hybrid, purchased about a lear ago. Many Thanks, --M Powell (I'm cross posting this to Rec.crafts.metalworking) I know nothing about Houston, but some places come to mind to start asking your question- motorcycle shops. architectural metal workers- railings, bannisters, etc. medical supply houses local bicycle frame builders a prosthesis maker or university hospital Remember- the issue isn't just putting a bend in tubing. I can do that with a conduit bender from the hardware store or fabricate my own mandrels. Handlebars breaking can be very ugly. You need to deal with tubing benders who are experienced with what metals can be bent safely, put under loads like you will be applying, etc. In the meantime, ignore the 'helpful' people who want to straighten your handlebars. |
#4
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Mandrel-bending handle bars
Just a quick thought... is it possible to use a bar-end? You know, the kind
they use on mountain bikes. I'm thinking that maybe it could slide on the bar backwards inboard of the shifters and then rotate towards you. If you can get the position right, you can even mount the brakes and shifter on the bar end itself. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Here's just one example: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...027&Store=Bike One question comes to mind. Can you use the brake lever on the left side? That's normally for the front brake (at least in the USA). If not, and as long as you can brace yourself with both arms, you may consider swapping brake levers since it's probably better to have front-brake only rather than rear-brake only. Of course, that depends on your skill level, riding conditions... etc. It's not the typical use of a bar end, but hey, if it let's you ride on. -Don "M Powell" wrote in message ink.net... I'm looking for an elegant solution to what is probably an odd problem with my bicycle. I'm in Houston, and the bike is a hybrid. Here's the deal -- I was born without a left hand. I have my wrist, but the umbilical cord had wrapped around, just outside my wrist, so that part got cut off from blood flow... Anyway, lately I'm doing the old guy thing & riding for exercise. Now that I'm putting more miles on, the difference in my reach --about 1.5 to 2 inches-- is being felt in my back. I need to make up this difference, so that my shoulders are squared back up. But I don't want a clunky solution of using tape or a riser block.... So far, I've just mis-aligned (cocked) the bars to favor the left side. That's certainly simple & elegant, but is looks & feels wrong -- two guys have even offered to show me how to properly align the handle bars to the front wheel. Sigh. So, where might I go in Houston to get someone to work with me on mandrel-bending the handlebar, which I figure would be easier & neater than cutting & TIG'ing it. I'm assuming the bars is aluminum -- the bike is a Motobecane hybrid, purchased about a lear ago. Many Thanks, --M Powell (I'm cross posting this to Rec.crafts.metalworking) |
#5
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Mandrel-bending handle bars
Hmmm.. I'll go to LBS & check this out. Could be on to something.
"Don DeMair" wrote in message ... Just a quick thought... is it possible to use a bar-end? You know, the kind they use on mountain bikes. I'm thinking that maybe it could slide on the bar backwards inboard of the shifters and then rotate towards you. If you can get the position right, you can even mount the brakes and shifter on the bar end itself. They come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Here's just one example: http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...027&Store=Bike One question comes to mind. Can you use the brake lever on the left side? That's normally for the front brake (at least in the USA). If not, and as long as you can brace yourself with both arms, you may consider swapping brake levers since it's probably better to have front-brake only rather than rear-brake only. Of course, that depends on your skill level, riding conditions... etc. It's not the typical use of a bar end, but hey, if it let's you ride on. -Don "M Powell" wrote in message ink.net... I'm looking for an elegant solution to what is probably an odd problem with my bicycle. I'm in Houston, and the bike is a hybrid. Here's the deal -- I was born without a left hand. I have my wrist, but the umbilical cord had wrapped around, just outside my wrist, so that part got cut off from blood flow... Anyway, lately I'm doing the old guy thing & riding for exercise. Now that I'm putting more miles on, the difference in my reach --about 1.5 to 2 inches-- is being felt in my back. I need to make up this difference, so that my shoulders are squared back up. But I don't want a clunky solution of using tape or a riser block.... So far, I've just mis-aligned (cocked) the bars to favor the left side. That's certainly simple & elegant, but is looks & feels wrong -- two guys have even offered to show me how to properly align the handle bars to the front wheel. Sigh. So, where might I go in Houston to get someone to work with me on mandrel-bending the handlebar, which I figure would be easier & neater than cutting & TIG'ing it. I'm assuming the bars is aluminum -- the bike is a Motobecane hybrid, purchased about a lear ago. Many Thanks, --M Powell (I'm cross posting this to Rec.crafts.metalworking) |
#6
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Mandrel-bending handle bars
M Powell wrote:
I'm looking for an elegant solution to what is probably an odd problem with my bicycle. I'm in Houston, and the bike is a hybrid. Here's the deal -- I was born without a left hand. I have my wrist, snip Interestingly enough, I have nearly the same issue -- I was born withou a right hand, and also have a wrist. I've been biking for 40+ years, an now I'm looking to modify my equipment instead of changing my posture to eliminate back and shoulder pain. I've considered the bar-end ide for my MTB -- just a matter of finding the right size and shape. For m road bike, I was thinking of a custom-made handlebar, because I'd lik to keep my Ergopower setup, but that's probably $$$$ If I find a solution, I'll post it, with pictures - |
#7
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Mandrel-bending handle bars
roadntrail wrote: M Powell wrote: I'm looking for an elegant solution to what is probably an odd problem with my bicycle. I'm in Houston, and the bike is a hybrid. Here's the deal -- I was born without a left hand. I have my wrist, snip Interestingly enough, I have nearly the same issue -- I was born without a right hand, and also have a wrist. I've been biking for 40+ years, and now I'm looking to modify my equipment instead of changing my posture, to eliminate back and shoulder pain. Have you considered an internally-geared bicycle with a coaster-brake and positioning the front brake lever and shifter (I'd recommend a twist-shift) on your handed side? |
#8
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Mandrel-bending handle bars
Garrison Hillia wrote:
roadntrail wrote: M Powell wrote: I'm looking for an elegant solution to what is probably an odd problem with my bicycle. I'm in Houston, and the bike is a hybrid. Here's the deal -- I was born without a left hand. I have my wrist, snip Interestingly enough, I have nearly the same issue -- I was born without a right hand, and also have a wrist. I've been biking for 40+ years, and now I'm looking to modify my equipment instead of changing my posture, to eliminate back and shoulder pain. Have you considered an internally-geared bicycle with a coaster- brake and positioning the front brake lever and shifter (I'd recommend a twist- shift) on your handed side? Good suggestion, but shifting and braking has never been a problem. Th problem I'm trying to solve is more of a fit problem. If I set the bik up to properly fit my left arm, my right arm doesn't reach the handleba unless I 1) twist my shoulders or 2) bend my left elbow. It wasn't problem when I was younger, but I'd like to start riding "square" - |
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