How do you unbend a handlebar

[Grey Thumper]

Dropped my bike while practicing u-turns (annoyingly, the only time I dropped the bike was while practising a skill to prevent dropping the bike. But anyway . . .)

Now the left end of the handlebar is bent (just a tiny bit, but I'm OC). I plan to put bar on full lock on the right, take out all the switchgear on the left, then stick a metal pole (or something long and similarly sturdy) into the left handlebar and use the leverage to bend it back.

I just want to know if this is a stupid idea? Does it matter if the bar is aluminum or steel? Is there a better way to do this?

[Sev]

You buy a new one.

[BuzZz]

You can use the 'pipe over the bar' trick, but you won't ever get perfect. I used to do it 2-3 times a weekend when I was riding offroad hard alot. The metal has work-hardened at the bend, and the re-bend you put in it to straighten it will form next to the first bend, not at the bend. This will leave a wave in the bar, and only get it close to it's original position. Good enough to get you home or through the weekend or until the next crash, but never the same as it was.


But if you really are OCD, save your nerves some wear and tear and replace the bars with new ones.