Talon handlebar retention bar ends
Intro
Wolftooth came out with their Locked-In Bar Ends last year and now a bunch of downhill racers are using it in the world cup. I wanted to try it without buying it. This is my attempt at making a better version of the same idea. It uses off the shelf parts and very simple slicer settings with minimal waste.
Included are four variations of the design, each with a different angle to the handlebar. I rode the flat design on my local DH trails today and it touched my wrist the entire time and never touched my fingers. I'd failed to take into account that you bend your elbows when you are riding downhill. These should accommodate for that, but which one will work best will be determined by handlebar width:wingspan ratio and back sweep. I'd try the 10 degree angled one first and go from there. If you try it and have any better ideas, let me know. I want these to work for people.
Parts
- locking bar ends with a 2.8cm flange diameter (I use these]. These should use an m6 bolt, but smaller bolts will work too.
- Adhesive. I use JB weld plastic bonder for all my 3d printing projects.
Printing
I print these from PET-G, with no rafts or skirts, and with OrcaSlicer's tree supports, on a coreXY printer. Don't use PETG long term. Use something that won't shatter.
Assembly
Remove your bar ends and loosen your grips, allowing them to slide inward. Glue the locking bar end's end cap into the recess in the talon plate and assemble the bar end as normal. The inside face of the talon plate has a cutout that slides over the tip of your handlebar to secure it in place. Slide the bar end in, tighten it down, then press your grips outward, against the inside face of the plate. Tighten grips. You "lose" about 3-5mm of handlebar on either end but I figure you easily make up for that by having your hands constantly pinned to the farthest ends of your grips.
Note that the bar ends pictured aren't the ones in the model. The ones in the model have a much less aggressive texture on the inside faces. The ones in the picture are pretty extreme.
If you print these, let me know what you think.